Growing Culantro (Shadow Benny/Recao): Sources and Care

Culantro (Eryngium foetidum), also called shadow bennie, recao, or long coriander, is a tropical herb with intense cilantro flavor. It’s perennial in warm zones but grown as an annual elsewhere.

Finding Seeds or Plants

• Specialty seed catalogs: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Richter’s Herbs, Seed Savers Exchange.
• Online: Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Baker Creek, Etsy sellers.
• Local: Caribbean/Latin markets sometimes sell starter plants.
• Ask your county extension for regional suppliers.

Growing Requirements

• Shade: Prefers partial to full shade; bolts in hot sun.
• Heat: Needs consistent warmth (70–85°F) for germination and growth.
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained; high organic matter.
• Moisture: Keep evenly moist—never let dry out.
• Container: Deep pots (12"+) for taproot.

Harvest & Use

Cut outer leaves at base; plant regrows from center. Use fresh in sofrito, stews, beans, marinades. Flavor withstands cooking better than cilantro. Can be dried or frozen in oil.

Note: Culantro is slow to germinate (14–28 days). Use bottom heat and patience. In Maryland, start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost, transplant after soil warms.