Coriander 'Santo'

Coriandrum sativum

How to grow Coriander 'Santo'

  • Partial Sun

  • Medium

Grows best in well cultivated soil in a sunny position. Cilantro is a short lived plant and is very prone to bolting – so having seeds started at different times to ensure a crop all summer long is best. When flower heads appear cut them off to extend the life of the plant.

Position in a partial sun location and remember to water moderately. Keep in mind when planting that Santo is thought of as hardy, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures. Ensure your soil is loamy and sandy and has a ph of between 4.9 and 8.2 as Coriander is a moderately acidic soil to weakly alkaline soil loving plant.

Growing Santo from seed

This plant is best left not transplanted, so sow directly into soil outdoors after the last frost, or start indoors in peat pellets that can be directly planted without disturbing the roots.

Soak seeds for a few hours before planting to speed up germination.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 5.85 inches (15.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.25 inches (0.64 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 21°C / 70°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Santo

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Santo is a hardy plant.

Harvesting Santo

The leaves can be harvested when the plant is about six inches (15.24cm).2

Seed maturity may take about three months and the plants may need staking.2 At maturity the seeds will look tan in color.

This variety tends to be ready for harvesting by late summer.

Santo folklore & trivia

Coriander is said to increase the appetite and the passions.2

Bees make delicious honey with the pink pollen.2

Other Names for Coriander 'Santo'

Coriander, Chinese parsley

Footnotes

1 highmowingseeds.com

2 Herbs and Spices for Florida Gardens – Monica Moran Brandies