Herb garden and kitchen · Coriandrum sativum
Coriander: look, smell and learn
Two leaf hairstyles on one plant: the pair compare upper and lower coriander leaves.
The short answer
Coriander has broader lower leaves and often finely divided upper leaves. Its leaves and dried fruits are used differently as seasonings. People differ in liking its leaf flavour; neither opinion is wrong.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
Flauschi points down and Puschel points up. Puschel“Two leaf hairstyles on one plant!” Flauschi“Both belong to coriander,” Flauschi explains.
Puschel looks from a broader lower leaf to a finely divided upper one. Puschel“Today I am comparing within one plant!” Flauschi likes the idea. They pick nothing: the two leaves for his comparison stay exactly where they grow.
What it looks like
Broader lobed leaves below; upper leaves are often finely divided. Small pale flower umbels.
Scent and cooking
Leaves have a strong flavour that people enjoy differently; ground fruits have a different taste.
How it grows
A bright position without constantly dry soil; can grow in a pot. Round fruits follow the flowers.
Little Wusel quiz
How do lower and upper coriander leaves differ?
Show answer
Lower leaves are broader and lobed; upper leaves are often finely divided.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Why do the upper leaves look different?
Coriander can have broader lobed leaves below and finely divided ones higher up. Different leaf shapes need not belong to different plants. Round fruits develop after the small flowers. As a spice, these are often called coriander seeds, although botanically the whole fruit is being named.
Compare and understand
Leaves and dried fruits have different aromas and flavours, so the plant part changes the seasoning. Warm conditions can make coriander flower quickly. Adults may therefore sow successive batches for young leaves rather than expect one plant to supply the same leaves indefinitely.