# Aphids in my Coriander/Cilantro **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 27, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506 "2013-01-27T02:37:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/1 "2013-01-27T02:37:22Z")
I am growing some coriander ( cilantro if you will) in a window box inside as it get pretty chilly outside overnight around here. The first batch was growing pretty well then we discovered it was smothered in little green aphids. The leaves had become quite sticky, so I put the plant pot outside and threw out the soil and plants, along with some other flowers that were also infested. I left a rosemary and jalapeño plant that seamed to be ok. I replanted and all seamed well until I just discovered the same issue, not as bad and the bugs could be washed off. So any suggestions for getting rid of aphids on plants growing inside? As we eat the coriander pesticides are out. For what it is worth we live in the mountains and it is generally below freezing during the day and waaaaaaay below at night. Ta. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/2 "2013-01-27T03:27:11Z")
If the problem is aphids, the solution is ladybugs. There are catalogs and websites you can mail-order them from. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/3 "2013-01-27T05:47:46Z")
Do they survive inside at altitude (7K feet)? I would like that solution but the window box the coriander is in is pretty small. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/4 "2013-01-27T06:11:38Z")
Wash the little monsters off. Eventually they’ll get discouraged and give up or die out completely. Use lukewarm water and just enough of a forceful stream to dislodge them. It doesn’t sound like you have enough plants to make this much of a chore. An alternative is to use a horticultural soap spray or just a bit of dishwashing detergent mixed with water in a plastic spray bottle. This kills aphids and any soapy residue can be rinsed off before eating the cilantro\*. Another tip: aphids cluster on succulent new growth, so you can trim plants back to help control them. \*or if you’re one of the unfortunates who claims cilantro tastes soapy, don’t bother. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/5 "2013-01-27T15:01:59Z")
I know from experience that ladybugs don’t have any problem with 5000 feet. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/6 "2013-01-27T17:45:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Aphids in my Coriander/Cilantro I’m tempted to post a Grumpy Cat “GOOD!” meme… ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/7 "2013-01-28T17:48:18Z")
Thanks all, although I don’t know what I did to jayjay to make him/her wish me to be denied cilantro. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/8 "2013-01-28T18:30:06Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > Thanks all, although I don’t know what I did to jayjay to make him/her wish me to be denied cilantro. > > 😉 Heh. I’m a soap-taster. I hate cilantro with the heat of 10,000 suns… ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/9 "2013-01-28T18:44:04Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I’m tempted to post a Grumpy Cat “GOOD!” meme… I think the OP ought to leave my minions be. Nothing personal, **mollusc** , but we’re fighting to free the Earth from this green scourge. I’m afraid your recipes are just going to be collateral damage. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/10 "2013-01-28T20:23:07Z")
I am pretty sure you are both witches, not appreciating cilantro is a sure sign. Whilst some claim the soapy taste to be a genetic aberration that they cannot control, unfortunately it is no defense. \ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/11 "2013-01-28T22:29:01Z")
It’s a fair cop! ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/12 "2013-05-03T02:19:27Z")
The cilatro thread just reminded me to pop back and say yay for soapy water spray and death to little green bugs, it worked wonders. Thanks all. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/13 "2013-05-03T02:25:20Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > The cilatro thread just reminded me to pop back and say yay for soapy water spray and death to little green bugs, it worked wonders. > Thanks all. Of course, that raises the question of how the aphids could tell the difference between the soapy water and the cilantro… ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/14 "2013-05-03T02:27:21Z")
Aphids have taste and style, and obviously are not witches. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aphids-in-my-coriander-cilantro/648506/15 "2013-05-03T02:42:54Z")
Never look too closely at an aphid. They are… adorable! You’ll never be able to squish one again!