Eryngium Species, Culantro, Mexican Coriander, Spiritweed, Fitweed

Eryngiumfoetidum

Family
Apiaceae (ay-pee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Eryngium (er-RIN-jee-um)
Species
foetidum (FET-uh-dum)
Synonym
Eryngium antihystericum
Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Foliage
Velvet/Fuzzy
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color
Dark Blue
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Bronze
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

El Mirage, Arizona

Ceres, California

Richmond, California

Dunnellon, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Ocala, Florida

Oldsmar, Florida

Plant City, Florida

Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Pukalani, Hawaii

Chicago, Illinois

Marrero, Louisiana

Swansboro, North Carolina

Windsor, North Carolina

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Ponce, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
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O
Windsor, NC | September 2018 | neutral

For me this plant was very difficult to get to grow from seed. I struggled the entire growing season last year and never got a single see...Read More

S
Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) | December 2015 | positive

A biennial herb Hardy to zone 8, best grown in moist shade, especially in more northern areas where long summer days increase early bolti...Read More

N
Port St. Lucie, FL (Zone 10a) | January 2013 | positive

I love this plant. I used to grow cilantro but it bolts so fast. This plant will stick around if you remove flower buds. I trim the se...Read More

W
Plant City, FL (Zone 9b) | June 2012 | positive

Our plants came from the local supermarket and although the bloom spike may get to 12" the plant is rather flat and about 8" tall. We alw...Read More

B
Comerio, PR (Zone 11) | April 2012 | negative

I hate hate this plant... it is invasive here. You could plant one plant and months later there are hundreds of culantros everywhere. It ...Read More

D
D
| May 2006 | positive

I live in the Caribbean, Dominican Republic. I have known strange reactions to cultivating this plant. When grown at the side of a gravel...Read More

H
Rosedale, WV (Zone 7b) | October 2005 | neutral

Haven't tried it yet, but is supposed to work as an annual herb in the north. It tastes like regular Coriander/Cilantro, but more pungent.

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