MiniBlog: Culantro: A Bold Alternative to Traditional Cilantro

Culantro aka Mexican Cilantro looks very different from the Cilantro or Coriander with which most people are familiar

What Culantro Is

Culantro (Eryngium foetidum), often called Mexican cilantro, is a bold-flavored herb commonly used in Hispanic, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian cuisines that is making its debut at Lakeside in 2025! Its long, serrated leaves are packed with a stronger, more pungent flavor than traditional cilantro, making it a preferred choice for hearty dishes and slow-cooked meals.

Why Grow Culantro?

Culantro is an excellent herb for those who love cooking with bold flavors. Unlike cilantro, culantro thrives in warmer climates and doesn’t bolt as quickly, making it a better choice for summer gardens. It’s a key ingredient in dishes like sofrito, salsas, and stews. Additionally, culantro has medicinal uses in traditional remedies, often used to treat colds and fevers.

Growing Culantro to Save Space

Culantro grows in compact rosettes, making it an ideal herb for small spaces, container gardens, or windowsill pots. It can also be interplanted with vegetables to maximize garden efficiency.

How to Grow Culantro

Culantro prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize lightly every few weeks to encourage lush growth. Harvest leaves when they are about 4-6 inches long for the best flavor, and remove flower stalks as they appear to extend the plant’s growing season.

When to Plant and Harvest

Plant culantro in late spring to early summer when temperatures are consistently warm. Harvest the outer leaves as needed, leaving the central rosette intact to promote regrowth.

Fun Facts

• Culantro is also known as “recao” in Puerto Rico and is a staple ingredient in sofrito.

• Despite the similarity in flavor, culantro and cilantro are different plants.

• Culantro is rich in calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.

• In Vietnamese cuisine, culantro is used as a garnish for pho and other noodle soups.

Companion Plant Pairings

1. Tomatoes

   • Benefit: Culantro thrives in the partial shade provided by tomato plants, while helping to repel pests like aphids and spider mites.

2. Peppers

   • Benefit: The strong aroma of culantro can mask the scent of peppers, deterring pests such as whiteflies.

3. Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach)

   • Benefit: Culantro’s low-growing habit does not compete for sunlight, making it an ideal neighbor for leafy greens.

4. Cilantro

   • Benefit: While culantro grows slower than cilantro, planting them together extends your harvest of flavorful herbs.

5. Pollinator-Friendly Plants (Marigolds, Nasturtiums)

   • Benefit: These attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which prey on pests that might harm culantro.

   
   

General Benefits to the Garden

• Pest Deterrent: Culantro's strong scent acts as a natural repellent for certain pests, helping protect nearby plants.

• Soil Health: Its shallow roots help stabilize soil without competing for nutrients with deeper-rooted plants.

• Attracting Beneficial Insects: When it flowers, culantro produces tiny blooms that attract pollinators and predatory insects like hoverflies.

Common Pests, Diseases, and Challenges

1. Pests

   • Aphids:

     • Symptoms: Curled or stunted leaves, sticky honeydew residue.

     • Control: Spray with neem oil or a strong stream of water to dislodge them.

   • Slugs and Snails:

     • Symptoms: Ragged holes in leaves, slime trails.

     • Control: Use organic barriers like crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around plants.

   • Spider Mites:

     • Symptoms: Tiny yellow specks on leaves, webbing on plant surfaces.

     • Control: Regularly mist plants to increase humidity or use insecticidal soap.

2. Diseases

   • Powdery Mildew:

     • Symptoms: White, powdery patches on leaves.

     • Prevention: Water at the base to avoid wet leaves and ensure proper airflow.

   • Root Rot:

     • Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, wilting, and a foul smell from the soil.

     • Prevention: Avoid overwatering and ensure well-draining soil.

3. Environmental Challenges

   • Heat Sensitivity:

     • Culantro prefers temperatures between 70–85°F. Excessive heat can cause bolting (premature flowering).

     • Solution: Provide afternoon shade in hot climates to extend its growing season.

   • Moisture:

     • Culantro thrives in consistently moist soil. Drought stress can lead to poor growth and bitter-tasting leaves.

   • Cold Sensitivity:

     • This tropical plant cannot tolerate frost. In cooler climates, grow culantro in containers to bring indoors during cold snaps.

   
   

Culantro is a unique and flavorful addition to your herb garden, offering a taste of the tropics with every leaf. Add it to your kitchen lineup this summer and elevate your culinary creations!