Culantro Seeds – Mexican Coriander (Ngo Gai) – Eryngium foetidum – Organic Non-GMO

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with our high-quality culantro seeds. Often referred to as Mexican coriander seeds or Ngo Gai seeds, this versatile herb, scientifically known as Eryngium foetidum, is a staple in many cuisines, particularly in Latin American and Southeast Asian dishes. Unlike its delicate cousin cilantro, culantro boasts a much stronger, more pungent aroma and flavor that holds up better to cooking, making it an indispensable ingredient for stews, soups, and marinades. Our fresh, organic, non-GMO seeds ensure a robust start for your herb garden, whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning. These easy-to-grow seeds promise a bountiful harvest of this unique and flavorful herb, bringing exotic tastes right to your kitchen. Discover the joy of growing culantro and adding an authentic touch to your meals.

Key Benefits

Cultivating culantro seeds offers numerous advantages, from enhancing your culinary skills to enjoying the freshness of homegrown herbs. This remarkable plant is not only easy to grow but also provides a continuous supply of its distinctively flavored leaves.

• Intense Flavor & Aroma: Culantro provides a powerful, unique flavor, often described as a more robust version of cilantro. This makes it an excellent choice for dishes where you want the herbal notes to shine through, especially after prolonged cooking.
• Culinary Versatility: As Mexican coriander seeds, these are prized in various global cuisines. They are essential for traditional dishes like sofrito, pho, and many Caribbean and Latin American recipes, adding depth and authenticity.
• Easy to Grow: These Ngo Gai seeds are known for being relatively easy to germinate and grow, making them suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. With proper care, you can enjoy a continuous harvest.
• Organic & Non-GMO: Our seeds are carefully selected to be organic and non-GMO, ensuring that you grow healthy, natural herbs free from genetic modification or synthetic pesticides.
• Indoor & Outdoor Adaptability: Culantro can thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments, allowing you to enjoy fresh leaves year-round. It’s perfect for windowsills, patios, or garden beds.
• Nutritional Value: Like many herbs, culantro contains vitamins and minerals, offering a healthy addition to your diet. It’s a flavorful way to boost your intake of beneficial plant compounds.
• Longer Shelf Life: Compared to cilantro, culantro leaves tend to last longer after being harvested, providing more time to enjoy your fresh produce. This makes eryngium foetidum seeds a practical choice for home gardeners.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To successfully grow culantro seeds, understanding its specific needs is crucial. This herb prefers warm, humid conditions, similar to its native tropical environment. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in cooler climates, or direct sow in warmer regions. Sow seeds lightly on the surface of well-draining soil and gently press them in, as light aids germination. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Once established, growing culantro requires consistent moisture. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, ensuring the soil remains damp. Eryngium foetidum thrives in partial shade, particularly in hot climates, where direct afternoon sun can cause it to bolt (go to seed prematurely). In cooler regions, it can tolerate more sun. A rich, well-draining potting mix or garden soil amended with compost is ideal. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Protect plants from frost, as they are annuals in most temperate zones.

Pests are generally not a major issue for culantro, but keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Harvesting can begin once the plants have several mature leaves; simply snip the outer leaves near the base of the plant. Regular harvesting encourages more leaf production. With these care tips, your mexican coriander seeds will flourish, providing you with a continuous supply of flavorful leaves for all your culinary needs.

Size & Details

Our culantro seeds are provided in generous quantities, ensuring you have ample opportunity to cultivate a thriving patch of this unique herb. Each seed packet contains a substantial number of fresh, viable seeds, carefully collected for optimal germination rates. While the exact count may vary slightly, you can expect enough seeds to start a significant garden or several successive plantings. Culantro plants typically grow to a height of 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) and spread about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) wide, forming a compact rosette of leaves. The leaves are long, serrated, and strap-like, differing significantly in appearance from traditional cilantro. Plants are annuals but can self-seed in favorable conditions. Expect germination within 7-21 days under optimal conditions, with mature leaves ready for harvest in approximately 60-90 days from planting. These ngo gai seeds are ideal for both container gardening and direct sowing in garden beds.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this culantro plant get? A: Culantro plants typically reach a height of 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) and spread about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) wide. Its growth habit is a compact rosette of leaves.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? How much sunlight does it need? A: Culantro can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives in partial shade, especially in hot climates, and can tolerate more sun in cooler regions. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight daily.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Yes, growing culantro from seed is considered relatively easy, making it suitable for beginners. Its primary needs are consistent moisture and protection from intense direct sun.
• Q: What condition will the culantro seeds arrive in? A: Our culantro seeds are fresh, organic, and non-GMO, collected and stored to ensure high viability upon arrival. They will be packaged securely to protect them during transit.
• Q: Can I use culantro in cooking? What is Mexican coriander used for? A: Absolutely! Culantro, also known as Mexican coriander seeds, is prized for its strong flavor in many cuisines. It’s commonly used in soups, stews, salsas, and marinades, particularly in Latin American and Southeast Asian dishes.
• Q: How long until it blooms? When is the best time to plant? A: Culantro is grown for its leaves, not its flowers. It typically bolts (goes to seed) in hot weather or when stressed. The best time to plant is in spring after the last frost, or year-round in tropical climates.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? What’s the minimum temperature? A: Culantro is a tropical annual. It will not survive frost and prefers temperatures above 60°F (15°C). In colder zones, it should be grown as an annual or brought indoors during winter.
• Q: What type of soil is best for Ngo Gai seeds? A: Ngo Gai seeds prefer a rich, well-draining soil or potting mix. Amending the soil with compost will help provide necessary nutrients and improve drainage.
• Q: Are these seeds suitable for container gardening? A: Yes, culantro grows very well in containers, making it an excellent choice for patios, balconies, or indoor herb gardens. Ensure the container has good drainage.
• Q: How often should I water my culantro plants? A: Culantro prefers consistently moist soil. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, making sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely between waterings, but avoid waterlogging.