Overview

Discover the robust flavor and aromatic appeal of the Culantro live plant, often referred to as Cuban Cilantro plant or Saw Leaf herb. This unique and fragrant edible herb, scientifically known as Eryngium foetidum, is a culinary delight that belongs to the same family as traditional cilantro (Apiaceae). Unlike its common cousin, Culantro boasts long, tough, serrated green leaves, giving it its distinctive ‘saw leaf’ moniker. Our mature, well-rooted plants are shipped in a 4 inch pot, ensuring a healthy start for your garden. Known for its stronger, more pungent flavor, this herb is a staple in many Caribbean, Latin American, and Asian cuisines. Beyond its culinary uses, the Culantro live plant is also known to attract beneficial insects, adding an ecological bonus to your garden space.

This versatile Culantro live plant is perfect for both experienced gardeners and beginners. Its ease of care and adaptability make it a fantastic choice for growing in containers on a patio or directly in your garden beds. Experience the joy of harvesting fresh, flavorful leaves right from your backyard, enhancing your meals with an authentic and vibrant taste. The Cuban Cilantro plant offers a continuous supply of leaves, making it a highly rewarding addition to any home garden.

Key Benefits

Adding a Culantro live plant to your garden provides numerous advantages, from culinary enhancement to natural pest control. This robust herb is more than just a flavor enhancer; it’s a valuable asset for any home gardener.

• Exceptional Culinary Flavor: The leaves of the Culantro live plant offer a much stronger and more distinct flavor than traditional cilantro, making it perfect for slow-cooked dishes, stews, and marinades where its flavor can truly shine. It’s an indispensable ingredient in many authentic recipes.
• Easy to Grow and Maintain: This resilient herb is known for its relatively low maintenance requirements, thriving in various conditions and making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels. Its adaptability allows for successful growth in both containers and garden beds.
• Attracts Beneficial Insects: A wonderful natural benefit of growing Eryngium foetidum care is its ability to attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and green lacewings, which help control garden pests, contributing to a healthier ecosystem in your backyard.
• Extended Harvest Period: When planted directly in the ground, the Cuban Cilantro plant can provide a longer harvest period compared to growing in containers, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh leaves for your culinary needs.
• Shade Tolerant: Unlike many herbs that prefer full sun, Culantro thrives in shady conditions, making it an ideal choice for those garden spots that don’t receive direct, prolonged sunlight. This unique characteristic expands your planting options significantly.
• Versatile Use: Harvest leaves as needed for immediate use. While whole leaves can be tough, finely chopping them releases their full aroma and integrates them perfectly into dishes. This fragrant edible herb is a must-have for diverse culinary applications.
• Moderately Salt Tolerant: Culantro’s moderate salt tolerance makes it a viable option for gardens in coastal regions or areas with slightly saline soil conditions, broadening its suitability for different environments.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Culantro live plant is straightforward, especially when you understand its specific needs. This hardy herb prefers conditions that are somewhat different from many other common garden herbs. The most critical factor for successful Eryngium foetidum care is providing the right balance of moisture and shade. Culantro thrives in moist, well-drained soil. It’s crucial to ensure the soil doesn’t become waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. A good quality potting mix with excellent drainage is ideal for container growing, while amending garden soil with organic matter can improve its structure and drainage for in-ground planting.

Contrary to popular belief for most herbs, the Cuban Cilantro plant actually prefers shady areas. While it can tolerate some morning sun, direct afternoon sun can cause its delicate leaves to scorch, especially in hotter climates. Aim for a location that receives partial to full shade throughout the day. This makes it an excellent choice for under trees or in shaded corners of your garden. The plant is moderately salt tolerant, which can be beneficial in certain environments. For optimal growth, maintain consistent soil moisture, but avoid overwatering. Fertilization is generally not heavily required; a balanced liquid feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season can support vigorous leaf production. Keep an eye out for common garden pests, though its natural scent often deters many. The USDA hardiness zones for Culantro typically range from 9 to 11, but it can be grown as an annual in cooler climates or brought indoors during winter.

Size & Details

You will receive a mature, well-rooted Culantro live plant grown in a 4 inch nursery pot. This plant is ready for transplanting into a larger container or directly into your garden bed. While the exact height at shipping may vary, these plants are typically robust and established, ensuring a strong start. Culantro can grow to a height of 12-18 inches, with a similar spread, forming a bushy clump of leaves. The leaves themselves are long, tough, and serrated, reaching lengths of 6-12 inches. This fragrant edible herb offers a continuous harvest, with new leaves emerging from the center of the plant. It is shipped bareroot (with minimal soil on roots) to ensure safe and cost-effective delivery, minimizing transplant shock upon arrival. Expect vigorous growth once established, providing you with a steady supply of flavorful leaves for your culinary adventures. The plant’s moderate growth rate allows for consistent harvesting throughout the growing season.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Culantro live plant typically grows to a height of 12-18 inches with a similar spread, forming a lush, leafy clump. Its size can be influenced by growing conditions and pot size.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can thrive outdoors in USDA zones 9-11, the Cuban Cilantro plant can also be grown indoors in a container in a well-lit, shady spot, making it versatile for various environments.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This herb prefers partial to full shade. Direct afternoon sun can be too intense, especially in warmer climates, leading to leaf scorching. Morning sun is generally acceptable.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Culantro live plant is considered easy to care for, requiring consistent moisture and protection from harsh sun. Its resilience makes it suitable for beginner gardeners interested in growing a fragrant edible herb.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Culantro plant will arrive mature and well-rooted, shipped bareroot with minimal soil to ensure a healthy and cost-effective transit. It will be ready for immediate planting.
• Q: Can I use Culantro in cooking? A: Absolutely! Culantro is a popular culinary herb, known for its strong, distinctive flavor. It’s commonly used in Caribbean, Latin American, and Asian dishes, especially in stews, soups, and marinades.
• Q: How often should I water my Culantro plant? A: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, adjusting frequency based on temperature and humidity.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Culantro? A: Culantro can be planted anytime after the last frost in spring for outdoor gardens. For indoor growing, it can be planted year-round.
• Q: Is the Saw Leaf herb the same as regular cilantro? A: While they are in the same plant family (Apiaceae), Culantro (Eryngium foetidum care) has a much stronger flavor and different leaf appearance than traditional cilantro.
• Q: What kind of soil does Culantro prefer? A: It thrives in moist, well-drained soil. A rich, loamy soil amended with organic matter is ideal for optimal growth.