Culantro
Quick grow facts
Pot size
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Water
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Fertilizer
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Pollination
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Pests & diseases
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Look out for (Houston)
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What it is
A biennial herb in the cilantro family, grown across the Caribbean and Central America. It has long, tough, saw-toothed leaves. In Puerto Rico it's called recao.
UF/IFAS Gardening SolutionsWhy grow/eat it
It thrives in summer heat, so it's a stand-in for cilantro when cilantro won't grow. It tastes stronger than cilantro.
UF/IFAS Gardening SolutionsHow to use it
It's a key ingredient in sofrito. Whole leaves are tough, so chop them finely.
UF/IFAS Gardening SolutionsHarvest in Houston
Pick leaves any time. Take the oldest leaves at the base first and let the young ones grow. The leaves don't store well, so only cut what you need.
UF/IFAS Gardening SolutionsContainer tips
Grows fine in a container. Unlike most herbs it likes shade, which also keeps it from bolting. Use moist, well-drained soil. Seeds take about three weeks to sprout.
UF/IFAS Gardening SolutionsCautions
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