How to Grow Culantro
Eryngium foetidum
Culantro is a heat-loving rosette herb with a powerful coriander flavour that holds up in cooking. Sow seeds on the surface at 22–28°C — germination is slow, often 2–3 weeks. Grow in partial shade in warm climates; full sun is fine in cooler regions. Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. The key to a long harvest is removing flower stalks the moment they appear — once the plant bolts, leaf quality drops fast. It self-seeds freely, so let one or two plants go to seed at the end of the season for a free follow-on crop.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 15°C and soil has warmed to at least 20°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light liquid feed every 3–4 weeks. Culantro is not a heavy feeder — excess nitrogen gives rank growth with weaker flavour.
- Culantro thrives in warm, humid conditions with partial shade — direct midday sun in hot climates scorches the leaves. It self-seeds freely; allow a few plants to flower at the end of the season for a free crop next year.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 20°C+
- Germination temperature
- 22–28°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 25 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Sow depth | 0 cm |
| Mature height | 40 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 20°C |
| Germination temperature | 22–28°C |
| Base growth temperature | 15°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Culantro?
- Plant Culantro 25cm apart with 30cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Culantro?
- Culantro is ready to harvest approximately 45 days after transplanting.
- Is Culantro frost hardy?
- Culantro is classified as Tender.
