Culantro (Mexican Coriander)
Eryngium foetidum
Culantro (Mexican Coriander) is a tropical herb with a flavour similar to traditional coriander, but unlike coriander it thrives through the heat and humidity of subtropical summers. It is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting fresh coriander flavour long after ordinary coriander has bolted.
Why grow Culantro?
- Similar flavour to coriander
- Thrives in hot, humid weather
- Much slower to bolt than coriander
- Excellent for subtropical gardens
- Continuous harvest through the warm season
Overview
At a Glance
Peak Planting Window
September to April
Seasonal Role
Tropical leafy herb
Difficulty
Moderate
Planting Method
Seed or transplant
First Harvest
10–12 weeks
Sun
Part shade
Water
High
Heat Tolerance
Very High
Humidity Tolerance
Very High
Family
Apiaceae
Category
Herb
Planting Calendar
Monthly Planting Guide
Month-by-month suitability for coastal subtropical Australia.
Rationale
Why This Planting Window
Culantro is a tropical herb that performs best in warm, humid weather. Planting from spring through early autumn supports vigorous leafy growth, while protection from intense afternoon sun helps delay flowering and maintain leaf quality.
Reference
Growing Information
Lifecycle
Tender perennial commonly grown as an annual
Ideal Soil Temperature
22–30°C
Germination
14–28 days
Transplant Ready
6–8 weeks
Soil
Moist, fertile soil rich in organic matter
Soil pH
5.5–6.8
Plant Spacing
30–40 cm
Row Spacing
40–50 cm
Frost Tolerance
Very Low
In the garden
Plant Care
Feeding
Enrich the soil with mature compost before planting and feed lightly with a balanced organic fertiliser during active growth.
Watering Guidance
Keep the soil consistently moist without prolonged waterlogging. Mulching helps retain moisture and protects roots from excessive heat.
Companion Plants
Avoid Nearby
- None significant
Watch out for
Problems & Prevention
Common Pests
Snails, slugs, aphids, caterpillars and leaf miners.
Common Diseases
Leaf spot, root rot and damping off.
Common Mistakes
Growing in harsh afternoon sun, allowing the soil to dry out, planting during cold weather, overcrowding plants and failing to remove flower stalks.
Picking
Harvest
First Harvest
10–12 weeks
Harvest Window
Continuous leaf harvest
Harvest Indicators
Harvest mature outer leaves regularly while leaving the central crown intact. Remove flower stalks early to extend leaf production.
Standard
SGGS Details
Subtropical Gardener Growing Standard — profile metadata.
- SGGS Code
- HER003
- Version
- 1
- Confidence
- High
- Seasonal Role
- Tropical leafy herb
- Crop Champion Month
- November
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