Thirsty Cilantro Plant

While every plant is different, I've generally found that it's best to water a plant thoroughly once a week and then leave it alone the rest of the week.  Some of the herbs seem to require watering twice a week.  I've noticed that my cilantro plant is very thirsty.  Only two days after watering the stems of the cilantro wilt dramatically, as pictured below. 

After a thorough watering and just one afternoon, the stems begin to lift and the cilantro begins to look like itself again.

 A friend suggested that this might be a result of the method I use to water the plant.  I have potted this plant in well draining soil in a terra cotta pot with a hole in the bottom.  When I water this plant, I bring it to the sink to allow the water to drain through it.  After it stops dripping I return it to the saucer and it's rightful place in the garden.  The water is draining through the soil faster than the roots can absorb it.  This past week I corrected the problem.  I watered the plant outside, leaving it in its saucer.  I allowed the saucer to fill with water and let it sit in the saucer until it absorbed all of the water--approximately two hours.

Two days later my cilantro plant was looking healthy.  I will water this plant twice a week and see if it likes that watering schedule.  Cilantro is in the parsley family and requires a lot of water and sun.