When to Plant Culantro in Cairns, Tropical Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Tropical
In October the Tropical zone normally runs 34°C by day and 23°C overnight, with about 53 mm of rain over 5 or 6 wet days. Averages 1991 to 2026, 37 postcodes, SILO.
Jump to section
This Culantro guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- All year
- Days to harvest
- about 10 weeks
- Sun
- Part shade
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
Eryngium foetidum is culantro, a serrated-leaf culinary herb distinct from common coriander (Coriandrum sativum).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Tropical
- Jan S/T/D
- Feb S/T/D
- Mar S/T/D
- Apr S/T/D
- May S/T/D
- Jun S/T/D
- Jul S/T/D
- Aug S/T/D
- Sep S/T/D
- Oct S/T/D
- Nov S/T/D
- Dec S/T/D
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
You can sow culantro in any month in Tropical, but the months are not equal. Summer heat brings faster bolting and heavier pest pressure, so pick a heat tolerant variety, sow little and often, and give afternoon shade from December through February.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Culantro included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Culantro in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Moist, fertile, organic-rich well-drained loam
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Partial shade to shade, protected from intense direct sun
- Spacing
- 15-30cm apart, 25cm between rows
- Watering
- Keep plants moist, and out of full sun and dry spots.
- Good companions
- Tomato, Capsicum, Coriander, Lemongrass, Ginger
Tropical Growing Tips for Culantro
Key Challenges
- Common Garden Snail: Introduced snail with a tan spiral shell
- Slugs: Soft-bodied shell-less molluscs that feed at night on seedlings and leafy vegetables
- Slugs and Snails: Eat young seedlings and tender leaves
- Root rot and damping off: Plants die in poorly drained or waterlogged soil
Pro Tips
- Mix organic compost into soil prior to planting; feed monthly with a liquid nitrogen fertiliser to encourage fresh leafy growth
- Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the plant base to retain moisture and keep roots cool
- Pinch off central flower stalks as soon as they emerge to prevent bolting and prolong leaf production
Pests and problems for Culantro in Tropical
- Common Garden Snail Common Garden Snail: Introduced snail with a tan spiral shell Watch
- Slugs Slugs: Soft-bodied shell-less molluscs that feed at night on seedlings and leafy vegetables Watch
- Aphids Watch
- Root rot and damping off Use well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter and water evenly without waterlogging. This is general advice and not stated on the... Watch
Harvesting Culantro
When ready: Harvest long serrated leaves once rosettes form 8 to 10 mature, fully open green leaves
How to harvest: Cut individual outer leaves near the base or clip whole rosette above the crown using sharp snips
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Culantro
When do you plant culantro in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): all year
- Subtropical (Brisbane): all year
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan, Aug to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan, Sep to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan, Oct to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Aug to Nov
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Nov
Can you grow culantro all year round in Cairns?
Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Tropical zone, though not every month is equally easy. Sow in trays year-round where frost-free; give partial shade and moisture. Remove flower stalks for continued young leaves.
When should I plant Culantro in Cairns?
Sow in trays year-round where frost-free; give partial shade and moisture. Remove flower stalks for continued young leaves.
What soil temperature do Culantro need?
Culantro germinate best when soil temperature is between 22°C and 28°C.
How do I know when Culantro are ready to harvest?
Harvest long serrated leaves once rosettes form 8 to 10 mature, fully open green leaves
What grows well with Culantro?
Good companion plants for Culantro include: Tomato, Capsicum, Coriander, Lemongrass, Ginger.
Are culantro salt tolerant?
Only a little. Culantro are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.