How to Grow Culantro (Sawtooth Coriander) From Seed: Step-by-Step for Beginners

Culantro is cilantro’s tough, shade-loving cousin with long, saw-edged leaves and a deeper aroma. Treat it like a warm-season leafy herb: shallow sowing, even moisture, gentle light, and quick harvests.

Context & common pitfalls

Culantro is a short-lived perennial often grown as an annual. Extension guides highlight three levers: partial shade to prevent bitter, leathery leaves; even moisture in rich, well-drained soil; and deadheading to delay bolting and extend harvests UF/IFAS – edis.ifas.ufl.edu, CTAHR – ctahr.hawaii.edu. USDA records confirm the species identity and distribution for planning and compliance USDA PLANTS – plants.usda.gov.

“Culantro performs best in partial shade with consistent moisture; remove flowering stalks to prolong leaf production.” — Horticulture guidance, UF/IFAS Extension edis.ifas.ufl.edu

Statistic to know: Practical field notes and extension sheets commonly recommend about a hand’s width between plants in-row, with rows roughly two hand-spans apart, to keep airflow and leaf size balanced in home beds UF/IFAS – edis.ifas.ufl.edu, CTAHR – ctahr.hawaii.edu.

Step-by-step: from seed to steady harvest

1) Sow the seeds

• Tray or small pots: Fill with fine, sterile seed-starting mix.
• Surface-sow: Sprinkle seed, press lightly for good contact, and mist. Many growers keep seeds near the surface so light can reach and moisture stays even UF/IFAS.
• Warm, bright shade: Keep medium moist and warm; avoid hot direct sun on the tray.

2) Raise seedlings right

• Light: Bright, indirect light or filtered sun. Avoid midday scorch.
• Moisture: Evenly moist, never waterlogged. Bottom-water to avoid dislodging seed.
• Transplant timing: Move to final containers or beds once plugs are sturdy.

3) Planting out

• Site: Partial shade; a spot that gets morning light and afternoon shade is ideal UF/IFAS.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained loam with added compost. Avoid crusting or compacted soil.
• Spacing: About a hand’s width between plants, two hand-spans between rows for home beds; single plants do well in bowls or wide pots.

4) Care, harvest, and keep it from bolting

• Water: Keep soil uniformly moist; mulch lightly to limit evaporation.
• Feeding: Light, balanced feed during active growth if leaves pale.
• Deadhead: Remove central flower stalks as they emerge to prolong vegetative growth UF/IFAS.
• Harvest: Snip outer leaves close to the base. Younger leaves are the most tender.
• Kitchen prep: Rinse under running water and chill promptly for best texture U.S. FDA – fda.gov.

Pests & problems

• Snails and slugs: Common in shady beds; use hand-picking and barriers UC IPM – ipm.ucanr.edu.
• Aphids: Rinse off with a firm water jet; encourage beneficial insects UC IPM – ipm.ucanr.edu.
• Heat-triggered bolting: Partial shade, even moisture, and quick harvests help delay flowering UF/IFAS – edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Container setup (works great on balconies)

• Pot: Wide container with drain holes; culantro is shallow-rooted.
• Mix: Soilless potting mix with extra perlite for airflow.
• Watering rhythm: Water until a little drains, then repeat when the top layer just dries.

Tips & common mistakes

• Don’t bake the seedlings: Direct midday sun can scorch tender leaves.
• Don’t let the tray dry out: Erratic moisture stalls germination.
• Do cut flower spikes early: It keeps leaves coming.
• Do succession-sow: Start a fresh batch every so often for a constant supply.

Key terms

• Bolting: Switching from leaf growth to flowering; leaves toughen and flavor shifts.
• Surface-sow: Placing seeds on or just under the surface so light and air reach them.
• Partial shade: Bright light filtered by a canopy or only gentle direct sun.

FAQ

Does culantro need full sun?

No. It grows best in partial shade with steady moisture; full sun often leads to leathery leaves and early bolting UF/IFAS.

Can I regrow it after it flowers?

You can cut out flower stalks to encourage new side growth, but starting new plants from seed or division keeps quality high CTAHR.

Is culantro the same as cilantro?

No. Culantro (Eryngium foetidum) is different from cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), though both share a related flavor profile. Growth habits and light needs are different USDA PLANTS.

Sources

• Culantro production & home-garden notes – University of Florida IFAS (edis.ifas.ufl.edu)
• Home-garden herb guidelines (culantro context) – University of Hawai‘i CTAHR (ctahr.hawaii.edu)
• Eryngium foetidum profile – USDA PLANTS (plants.usda.gov)
• Snails and slugs – UC Statewide IPM (ipm.ucanr.edu)
• Aphids – UC Statewide IPM (ipm.ucanr.edu)
• Produce safety basics – U.S. FDA (fda.gov)

Conclusion

Start culantro seeds shallow, grow in partial shade with steady moisture, and harvest often. Keep clipping flower stalks, and succession-sow to enjoy a continuous supply of bold, fragrant leaves.