How to Grow Culantro
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Culantro
Eryngium foetidum
herbCulantro is a tropical herb with flat, serrated leaves that closely resembles cilantro but has a more robust, pungent flavor. Native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, it thrives in warm, humid conditions and provides a longer harvest window than cilantro. The leaves are commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine as a substitute for or complement to cilantro.
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Example Culantro timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Culantro
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Culantro
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives best in USDA zones 10-11; can be grown as an annual in zones 9b and cooler areas in containers that can be moved indoors
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Get my Culantro timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
10-14 daysTiny seedlings emerge with simple leaves; seeds require warm temperatures (70-80°F) to germinate.
Keep soil warm and consistently moist. Germination takes 10-14 days. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves.
Seedling to Juvenile
2-3 weeksYoung plants develop characteristic flat, serrated leaves arranged in a basal rosette; growth is steady as roots establish.
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth. Provide bright, indirect light. Begin feeding with diluted balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksPlant forms a dense rosette of 8-12 inch long, dark green serrated leaves. Foliage is bushy and full, ready for regular harvesting.
Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Begin regular leaf harvesting from outer leaves. Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Feed every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering (Optional)
Variable; occurs in warm conditionsIf left unharvested, plant sends up thin flowering stems with small, white to pink flowers in globe-shaped clusters. Flowering reduces leaf quality.
Pinch off flower stalks to promote continued leaf production if harvesting for culinary use. Allow to flower only if seed collection is desired.
Seed Production
3-4 weeksFlowers are followed by small, spiky seeds that mature over several weeks; plant may decline after heavy flowering.
Allow flowers to fully mature if collecting seeds. Save seeds from healthy plants in dry conditions. Seeds remain viable for 1-2 years.
Common Pests
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; strong water spray to dislodge; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity; spray with water misting; use neem oil or miticide if severe. Keep foliage dry to reduce mite activity.
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Yellow sticky traps; neem oil spray; insecticidal soap; improve air circulation.
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Remove by hand or with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide if severe.
Uses
Caribbean & Latin American Cooking
CulinaryCulantro is a staple herb in Caribbean, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Latin American cuisines. It adds a stronger, more pungent cilantro-like flavor to sofrito, salsas, soups, stews, rice dishes, and marinades. [source]
Fresh Herb Substitute
CulinaryCulantro can replace or supplement cilantro in recipes like guacamole, ceviche, curries, and Vietnamese dishes. It provides similar flavor but with greater intensity and longer shelf life. [source]
Traditional Herbal Medicine
MedicinalIn tropical regions, culantro is used traditionally to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness. It is also used in herbal teas and decoctions in Caribbean folk medicine. [source]
Fresh Herb Garnish & Flavoring
HouseholdFresh culantro leaves make an attractive and flavorful garnish for soups, salads, and plated dishes. Dried leaves retain flavor well and can be stored for extended use. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, culantro's delicate white to pink globe flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting garden ecosystem health. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves once the plant reaches 6-8 inches tall, typically 40-50 days after planting. Pinch or cut leaves from the outer edges, working inward, allowing the center to continue growing. Harvest regularly to promote bushier growth and prevent flowering. Culantro produces leaves continuously for 6-12 months in ideal conditions. Morning harvest provides the best flavor and freshness. Leaves can be used fresh or dried.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Culantro is actually more closely related to eryngo (sea holly) than to cilantro, despite its culinary similarity and shared name meaning 'resembling cilantro' in Spanish.
- 🌱 In some Caribbean regions, culantro is called 'cilantro' or 'shadow benni,' and locals prefer it to standard cilantro due to its superior heat and humidity tolerance, making it the more practical choice for tropical gardens.
- 🌱 Culantro can produce harvestable leaves for 6-12 months or longer in warm climates, far exceeding cilantro's quick bolt-to-seed cycle, making it invaluable for year-round tropical herb gardening.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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