Santo Cilantro Seeds

Coriandrum sativum 'Santo' Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum 'Santo' Cilantro is a premium, fast-growing annual herb, prized as the industry standard for its broad, aromatic leaves and exceptional slow-bolting qualities. Growing to about 12 to 24 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches, this variety is perfect for kitchen gardens, raised beds, and container plantings where a reliable supply of fresh greens is essential. Unlike common cilantro varieties that go to seed quickly in warm weather, 'Santo' withstands heat longer, offering an extended harvest window of lush, flavorful foliage before eventually producing coriander seeds.

Culinary and Practical Uses

• The fresh, citrusy leaves are indispensable in Mexican, Asian, and Caribbean cuisines, adding a bright, zesty finish to salsas, guacamoles, curries, and chutneys.
• If allowed to bolt, the plant produces dried seeds known as Coriander, which have a warm, nutty, orange-like flavor perfect for baking, pickling, and spice rubs.
• The flowers attract beneficial insects like syrphid flies and parasitic wasps, making it an excellent companion plant for pest management in the vegetable garden.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Broad, celery-like lower leaves that are deeply serrated and bright green; 'Santo' is known for its heavy leaf yield and superior upright habit that keeps foliage clean.
• Growth Habit: Fast-growing, upright annual that forms dense bunches; specifically bred to resist bolting (flowering) 10 to 14 days longer than other varieties.
• Flowers: Produces delicate umbels of small white to pale pink blossoms in high heat or late maturity, which are highly attractive to pollinators and edible.
• Seeds: Harvested after the flower heads turn brown and dry; the round, beige seeds (coriander) are easily collected for culinary spice use or saving for future planting.

Growing Requirements

• Sun: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in hotter climates to further delay bolting and keep leaves tender.
• Soil: Adapts to most soil types but prefers fertile, well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8.
• Water: Requires consistent moisture; dry soil induces stress and causes the plant to bolt prematurely, so keep the soil evenly moist.
• Spacing: Plant seeds or seedlings 2 to 4 inches apart in rows or blocks; dense planting helps shade the soil and keep roots cool.
• Maintenance: Practice succession planting by sowing new seeds every 2 to 3 weeks for a continuous harvest; harvest leaves frequently to encourage new growth.

Shipping Info Santo Cilantro seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.