Culantro Eryngium foetidum
Culantro (Eryngium foetidum) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Apiaceae family, native to Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and northern South America. It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 20–35 cm (8–14 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Culantro in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Culantro at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–35 cm (8–14 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 13–21 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: leaves |
| Native to | Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and northern South America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Culantro toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Culinary herb across the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia; not documented as toxic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Culantro
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Culantro
- How far apart should I plant Culantro?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–35 cm (8–14 in).
- Does Culantro need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Culantro need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Culantro?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Culantro flower?
- About 13–21 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Culantro poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Culinary herb across the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia; not documented as toxic.
- What grows well with Culantro?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Culantro. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- A short-lived perennial or biennial rosette; flowering stalks are normally removed to keep leaf production.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus
- Parsley Petroselinum crispum
- Celery Apium graveolens
- Coriander (cilantro) Coriandrum sativum
- Dill Anethum graveolens
- Parsnip Pastinaca sativa
- Celeriac Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
- Florence fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum