Culantro (Eryngium foetidum), also known as “fit weed” or “Mexican coriander” is a tropical perennial herb that is well-suited for growing in a food forest in central Florida. It is a popular herb in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine, and it is used as a substitute for cilantro. It is my favorite of all the herbs. It is slightly stronger than cilantro, but still perfect for chopped herb garnish on just about any meal on which you would put parsley. I’ve never had success with cilantro in the Florida heat. And every time I see it at the stores for sale, it is always drooping or already brown. Culantro, on the other hand is very heat tolerant and, frankly, hard to kill.
Culantro prefers well-drained soil, full sun, and warm weather, making it an ideal herb to grow in central Florida. It can be planted directly in the ground or in a container, but make sure it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Culantro can be planted from seed or from seedlings. When planting from seed, sow them in a seed tray or directly in the ground, and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist and warm. Seedlings should be planted about 10 inches apart in the ground, or in a container with at least 6 inches of depth.
Culantro requires regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as it does not tolerate soggy soil. Water it about 1-2 inches per week, or when the soil is dry to the touch. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer, such as 10-10-10. Culantro is very easy to grow. It can also be propagated by dividing it at the roots.
Culantro is ready to harvest about 8-10 weeks after planting. It’s important to pick the leaves before the plant flowers, as the leaves will be at their most flavorful. You can continually pinch off the flower head in order to keep the leaves growing. To harvest, simply snip off the leaves with scissors or pinch them off with your fingers. You can harvest culantro leaves as needed or all at once.
Culantro has a stronger and more pungent flavor compared to cilantro. It is commonly used in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine, particularly in the preparation of salsa, soups, stews, and meat dishes. It’s also great in sauces, marinades and it can be used as a garnish.
Culantro is a flavorful herb that is well-suited for growing in a food forest in central Florida. It is easy to grow and care for, and it provides a unique flavor that can add a lot of depth to a variety of dishes. As a bonus, some customers have reported that people who usually associate the taste of cilantro with soap, do not get the same taste sensation with culantro. With a couple of culantro plants, you can have strong herbaceous flavors to add to all your culinary meals.