Why Most People Fail at Growing Culantro from Seed (How You Can Succeed)

Culantro is the ingredient that gives so many dishes their unique flavor. This culinary herb is essential in Puerto Rico, Vietnam, and many other countries. Learn how to grow culantro from seed to give your food that authentic flavor.

Culantro goes by many different names because of its widespread use in many cuisines. Culantro (Eryngium foetidum) is also known as long leaf coriander, recao, and ngò gai. It has long, green leaves with rough edges that look like the edge of a saw blade. It is often compared to cilantro because it has a similar taste. However, it won’t have that “soapy” taste that some people dislike about cilantro.

Culantro is a biennial herb, but it can be grown as an annual in the summer in all growing zones. It prefers partial shade and warm weather.

Culantro is easy to grow, and getting the seeds to germinate seems to be the hardest part. The seeds can be sown outdoors, but if you don’t live in the tropics, we recommend starting them indoors.

These tips will help you successfully germinate culantro seeds.

• Start with moist seed starting mix.

• Sprinkle culantro seeds on top.

• Press seeds into the soil, but do not cover.

• Spray seeds with water and use a cover or humidity dome to keep the seeds moist until they germinate.

• Use a heat mat to keep the soil temperature around 80ºF.

• Use grow lights.

• Expect germination to take 14 to 21 days.

• Once seeds have sprouted, water the seedlings from the bottom.

Before transplanting culantro outdoors, take time to harden off the seedlings so they are prepared for outdoor conditions. 

Culantro plants are an easy herb to maintain. They need lots of warmth, moist but not too wet soil, and partial shade.

We grow culantro as an annual in our zone 6 garden, where freezing temperatures kill it off. But for those in areas without frost, you can grow culantro as a biennial.

Grows in partial shade. Culantro can grow in full sun, but you may notice that the plants will bolt and go to seed faster. The leaves will also be thinner and not as lush.

Fertile, loamy soil. Grow culantro in nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The soil should be able to stay moist, but drain well.

Consistent water. Culantro is a native of the tropics and likes a moist environment. You may want to use mulch to help keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. If the soil doesn’t drain well, it can lead to root rot.

Fertilize as needed. Like most herbs, too much nitrogen can result in less intense flavor. Start with nutrient-rich soil and only add fertilizer if needed. You can use a little bit of nitrogen for leaf growth. Use a balanced fertilizer every few weeks if growing in a container.

Culantro can be harvested when leaves are about 6 to 8 inches long. Use scissors to cut off the larger, outer leaves above the soil.

Keep harvesting leaves to encourage more leaf growth.

Culantro leaves don’t store well, so only harvest what you need to use each day. You can keep moist leaves in a plastic bag in the fridge for about a week.

For longer-term storage, you can dry culantro leaves or freeze fresh leaves in oil to use in cooking.

Eventually, culantro plants will go to seed. When this happens, the plant will send up flower stalks. Once the flowers go to seed, the plant will stop producing new leaves.

To keep your culantro plant growing, cut off the flower stalks as soon as they start to emerge.

What does culantro taste like?

Culantro is similar to cilantro but with a stronger, more pungent flavor. Because of its intense flavor and sturdy leaves, it is an excellent option for cooked dishes.

Can you grow Culantro in containers?

Yes. Culantro is an excellent herb to grow in containers. Plant culantro seeds in a large enough container that drains well. Keep it in a shady location, and water it consistently. Container plants may need more fertilizer during the growing season due to nutrient leaching when watering.

Why are the leaf tips turning brown?

Culantro leaf tips may turn brown when the roots are waterlogged.

If you’re looking for that perfect, authentic taste in your Puerto Rican sofrito or Vietnamese Pho, plant culantro in your garden. Culantro is a low-maintenance herb that you can tuck in with other herbs or plant it under a shady tree.