Plants That Look Like Cilantro

Have you ever spotted a plant with delicate, lacy leaves and wondered if it was cilantro? You’re not alone. Many plants that look like cilantro can easily confuse even experienced gardeners. This similarity can lead to a disappointing harvest if you’re expecting that distinctive cilantro flavor but get something else entirely. Knowing how to tell them apart is a key gardening skill.

This guide will help you identify common cilantro look-alikes, both friendly and potentially dangerous. We’ll cover their unique features, growing habits, and uses. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently recognize what’s growing in your garden or at the market.

This list includes common herbs, weeds, and even a few toxic plants that are often mistaken for cilantro. Always remember the golden rule: never eat a plant unless you are 100% certain of its identification.

1. Italian Flat-Leaf Parsley

This is the most common cilantro impersonator. The leaves are a similar vibrant green and have a flat, lacy appearance. The main difference is in the scent and taste.

Leaf Shape: Leaves are flatter and less rounded than cilantro. They are divided into pointed, toothed leaflets.
Stem: The stems are usually round and solid.
Key Identifier: Crush a leaf. Parsley has a fresh, grassy, slightly peppery smell. Cilantro has that strong, citrusy, and for some, soapy aroma.
Safety: Completely edible and a wonderful herb in its own right.

2. Curly Parsley

While its ruffled leaves look different from cilantro at a glance, young curly parsley plants or when seen from a distance can cause confusion.

Leaf Shape: Deeply curled, ruffled leaves that are much thicker than cilantro.
Key Identifier: The obvious curly texture and its mild parsley scent are dead giveaways.

3. Chervil

Often called “gourmet parsley,” chervil is a delicate herb with fine, lacy leaves that closely mimic cilantro’s airy structure.

Leaf Shape: Finely divided, soft leaves that are a lighter green than cilantro.
Key Identifier: The flavor is a subtle mix of anise and parsley, much milder than cilantro. It also has a more delicate, almost wilting structure.
Growing Tip: Chervil bolts quickly in heat, preferring cool, shady spots.

How to Perform a Simple Identification Test

When in doubt, use a multi-sense approach. Don’t just rely on sight.

Look: Examine the leaf shape and texture closely. Is it flat, lacy, or curly? Are the leaf edges smooth or toothed?
Crush: Rub a leaf between your fingers to release its scent.
Remember: Cilantro’s scent is potent and unique. If it doesn’t smell like cilantro, it isn’t.

4. Dill (Young Plants)

Young dill seedlings can look surprisingly like cilantro. As dill matures, its distinctive feathery fronds become obvious, but in the early stages, they can trick you.

Leaf Shape: Very fine, thread-like leaflets that are softer than cilantro.
Key Identifier: Even as a seedling, dill has a clear, tangy dill pickle aroma. The stem is also often hollow.

5. Carrot Tops (Seedlings)

Cilantro is actually related to carrots, and it shows. Carrot seedlings in their first true leaf stage look nearly identical to cilantro.

Leaf Shape: Almost indistinguishable when very young.
Key Identifier: Gently brush the leaves. Carrot tops will smell like, well, carrots. They also have a slightly hairier stem. If you thinned carrot seeds in your garden recently, this is likely the culprit.

6. Poison Hemlock (TOXIC)

This is the most critical look-alike to recognize. Poison hemlock is extremely toxic and can be fatal if ingested. It often grows in ditches, along roadsides, and in disturbed soil.

Leaf Shape: The leaves are finely divided and lacy, similar to cilantro or parsley, but often larger.
Stem: The most telling feature. The stem is hairless and has distinctive purple or reddish blotches or streaks. It’s also hollow.
Key Identifier: Purple-spotted stem. When crushed, the leaves and roots often smell musty or like mouse urine, not like a fresh herb.
Rule: If you see a cilantro-like plant with purple spots on the stem, do not touch it. Avoid it completely.

7. Fool’s Parsley (TOXIC)

Another dangerous look-alike, often found in gardens as a weed. It’s smaller than poison hemlock but still very poisonous.

Leaf Shape: Finely divided, triangular leaves.
Key Identifier: Look for small, thread-like bracts that hang down from the base of the flower umbels (like a little skirt). This feature is absent in edible parsley and cilantro.
Scent: It has an unpleasant, acrid smell when crushed.

8. Cow Parsley (Wild Chervil)

A common wild plant in many regions. It’s not generally considered highly toxic, but it’s not edible and can cause stomach upset.

Leaf Shape: Soft, fern-like leaves that are a bit more triangular than cilantro.
Stem: Grooved, hairy, and hollow.
Key Identifier: Grows much taller than garden cilantro, often over 3 feet. The flower clusters form large, flat-topped white umbels.

Growing Your Own Cilantro Confidently

To avoid confusion, the best solution is to grow your own cilantro from seed. That way, you know exactly what you have. Here’s a simple guide.

Planting and Care Steps

Choose the Right Time: Cilantro is a cool-season herb. Plant seeds in early spring or fall. In warmer climates, plant it in partial shade to slow bolting.
Sow Directly: Cilantro hates having its roots disturbed. Sow seeds directly into the garden or container, about 1/4 inch deep.
Water Well: Keep the soil consistently moist for good germination, which takes 7-10 days.
Thin Seedlings: Once they’re a few inches tall, thin them to about 6 inches apart so they have room to grow bushy.
Harvest Often: Regularly snip outer leaves to encourage new growth and delay flowering (bolting).

Dealing with Bolting

Cilantro is famous for bolting when the weather gets warm. The leaves become sparse and it sends up a tall flower stalk.

Don’t despair! The flowers are edible and attract beneficial insects.
Let some plants go to seed. The seeds are the spice coriander, which you can harvest and use or save for planting next season.

Culinary Uses and Substitutions

If you have one of the safe look-alikes, here’s how you can use them. Remember, flavors are different, so they won’t taste exactly like cilantro.

When to Use What Herb

Italian Parsley: Great as a garnish, in salads, or in cooked dishes like soups and stews where its flavor holds up. It’s less pungent than cilantro.
Chervil: Best used raw or added at the very end of cooking. Perfect in fines herbes blends, with eggs, or in delicate sauces.
Dill: Excellent with fish, potatoes, cucumbers, and in creamy dressings. Its flavor is completely different—tangy and grassy.

What to Do If You Accidentally Harvest the Wrong Plant

If you’ve picked a non-toxic look-alike like parsley, simply enjoy it for what it is. It will still be a nice addition to your meal.
If you have any doubt whatsoever about a plant’s identity, especially if it was foraged, throw it away immediately. It’s not worth the risk.
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any unknown plant, particularly if you suspect it might be poison hemlock or fool’s parsley.

FAQ: Plants That Look Like Cilantro

Q: What plant is commonly mistaken for cilantro?
A: Italian flat-leaf parsley is the most common edible plant mistaken for cilantro. They look very similar, but parsley has a milder, grassier scent and taste.

Q: Are any of these look-alike plants poisonous?
A: Yes. Poison hemlock and fool’s parsley are highly toxic and can resemble cilantro, especially in their leaf structure. Always check for key identifiers like purple-spotted stems (hemlock) and never eat a wild plant you can’t identify with certainty.

Q: How can I be sure my plant is cilantro and not parsley?
A> The smell test is foolproof. Crush a leaf. Cilantro has a strong, citrusy, and distinctive aroma. Parsley smells fresh and grassy, much more mild. The leaf shape is also slightly different; cilantro leaves tend to be more rounded at the tips.

Q: Can I use parsley instead of cilantro in a recipe?
A: You can, but the flavor profile will change dramatically. Parsley lacks the unique citrusy punch of cilantro. It will add greenery but not the same taste, so the dish will be different. It’s better to think of them as separate ingredients.

Q: What does cilantro look like when it starts to bolt?
A> When bolting, the plant grows taller, the leaves become more sparse and feathery, and a central flower stalk appears with small white or pinkish flowers. The leaves also lose their robust flavor.

Q: Is there a visual trick to spot poison hemlock vs. cilantro?
A: Absolutely. Look at the stem. A smooth, hairless stem with prominent purple or reddish blotches is the hallmark of poison hemlock. Cilantro stems are green, often with fine grooves, and lack any purple blotching.

Understanding the differences between these plants makes you a more knowledgeable and safer gardener. While nature has its mimics, a careful eye for detail ensures you can enjoy your cilantro—and its harmless look-alikes—with confidence. Taking the time to learn these identifiers is a valuable part of cultivating your garden and your own expertise.