Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro "Santo" is bred to be slow bolting. Direct sow short rows of Santo Long Standing cilantro seeds every other week from spring to late summer for continuous harvest.
The mature seeds, known as coriander, are easy harvesting, and used in many dishes and curry powder blends. Keep an eye on your cilantro crop because the flowering process (bolting) is famously quick in this plant. As soon as a central stem appears and the uppermost leaves become frilly, it's time to harvest the whole plant, roots and all. The roots are useful
If growing for seeds, allow the plants to flower. Cilantro flowers highly attract beneficial insects like Syrphid flies, lacewings, and lady beetles. Be forewarned: if the seeds are not harvested when they mature, you will have volunteer cilantro plants for years to come.
- Easy to grow
- Mature seeds are coriander
- With a bit of cover, it will overwinter
- Grows to 50cm (20")
- Grows in partial shade