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Anybody grow rare (in U.S.) Herbs popular in Latin America? Such as Culantro?

Indiana_Jesse

Indiana_Jesse

Just curious, and wanting to hear peoples experiences.

examples include Culantro (not cilantro!), "Cuban" Oregano, Mexican Oregano (any of them), Chipilin, Hoja Santa, epazote, etc.

I've grown epazote for several years now and I love it fresh and dry with beans.

I've grown Papalo/Quilquina, which was unique but too overpowering for me in food.

I have some Cuban Oregano but have not actually used it yet!

I am trying desperately to get some Culantro established, but my two seedlings are just barely limping along on the windowsill.

I am growing Huacatay and I do like it, especially in mac n cheese with aji amarillo

I am also growing hierba/yerba anis, or Mexican tarragon, it has just germinated.

I am looking for Chipilin

I will hopefully buy some Mexican Oregano plants soon (Lippia Graveolens).

Anybody else?
 
I grew culantro and Huacatay/Peruvian black mint last year. The culantro sort of struggled a bit but at least it lasted longer in our hot summers than the cilantro did. The Huacatay required little effort on my part and was close to 9 feet tall by the end of the year. I was careful not to let it go to seed as I know it is considered a weed in many areas, and it seems like the sort of plant that might establish itself quickly. Worked well with the Aji Amarillos I grow.

I've been meaning to try Mexicano oregano and I'm always on the lookout for new interesting herbs, so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Haven't even heard of half thethings you mentioned, so time for a bit of googling on my part....
 
I grow culantro (shadow beni) indoors, I haven't started any herbs yet. Just mesclin, salad greens, rocket. The culantro goes well in a West Indian chutney that I make with Scotch Bonnets. The culantro takes long to germinate. You need to keep the soil misted and preferably under a dome. I scatter the seeds over the top of the seed mix(small as ther are) and finely cover with a vermiculite/ fine screen seed mix. Once sprouted I thin out and plant into individual containers. The plants grows well indoors and out. Partial sun at best, Mine grew well in a shaded area. It doesn't bolt for a few months. Just keep the pickens coming. It can get bitter and tough if neglected. Mexican Oregano is another good one. Not as invasive as the Italian type, but will reseed the following year... good luck on your "erb" ventures Greg
 
Yes, I do. After 3 years of trying, I successfully grew Culantro last year. It did very well. Extremely slow growing plant and requires good germination technique.

I've grown Mexican Oregano and Cuban Oregano and Huacatay too. I love all the weird stuff as you all know.

Chris
 
i have grown culantro, mexican oregano, epazote, and estafiate.

culantro didn't do particularly well- may have been too sunny. grows too slowly for me to put much effort into.

epazote and mexican oregano both did well and were useful- will probably grow both again this year.

finally managed to eradicate the estafiate which comes up everywhere from both seed and runner.
 
I've grown culantro for about 2 seasons.

2-3 weeks germination, develops a tap root so I suggest starting deep.

You can try to increase the growth rate by setting it in a high humidity environment ( dome/ziplock etc) + ambient light/heat. I placed my plants in an empty aquarium, under my pergola, and it managed to double in size versus those placed in the shade with my moderate climate pretty much year round. (Average 70's- No Frost) Temps typically reaches 80-90 in the aquarium, it pretty much mimicks the caribbean.

I'd avoid full sunlight (they develop these thick sharp edged leaves if you give it too much sun - pretty much my entire 1st season harvest...), and partial shade probablly max.
 
ive grown the Huacathay ..aka peruvian mint.. mine grew to about 6 ft tall before it died..before than i had give away 3 plants.. 2 of those growers now have volunteer mints all over their yard =D
 
as for the cuban oregano (giant leaves) i grew some last year and that thing is an evergreen.. never dies...
 
Here is one of my chipilin plants. A must have for Central American cooking. My 2nd year growing this plant and still have alot to learn about it.
 

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Very happy to see others into Spanish/Caribbean herbs.I was/has been  on the prowl for some Jamaican Oregano Aka Caribbean Thyme/Mexican Thyme/aka Mexican Oregano/Guyana Thyme...so many akas.could drive one crazy!  Had to settle for the dried form..alas no more!Got the real thing early this spring..now have awesome plants.BTW all are tender perennials in the colder climes.have to bring inside in my neck of the woods.
Was reading on a garden forum where someone had located some in Florida...so I contacted the owner.She has quite a few herbs,the Jamaican oregano is not listed  but she has it..just ask if you want it..its a unique  flavor,not like the thyme one gets here.,but looks similar,but with wider leaves,.Highly  scented,perfumey ;)  to me,some may say otherwise.I am used to it.I also got the variegated  Cuban Oregano..really cheap.So glad I hopped on to it..now the siblings in TORONTO. are jealous...too bad :lol:..
If any one knows where I can get some Chadon Beni seeds aka culantro seeds..PLMK.TY.
 
ADD: she sell the one I am growing as LIPPIA MICROMERA,(picture a few posts below) if you are interested..
 
The Seminole Springs Antique Rose& Herb Farm
 
Put the J. Oregano  together with some T"DAD Perfume Hab/Scotch Bonnet or your fav. Caribbean pepper when you make your T'dad Pelau & you're in business! :onfire:
 
Thanks, I'll check out the herb farm. Culantro is one that I love too. Sometimes the Asian market has little culantro plants if your lucky to run across them. I bought Culantro seeds on Ebay once and they were legit. No Culantro seeds at the moment tho.
 
ADD TO ABOVE POST::Hi Guys..sorry I am unable to write??  with the  posted photo above..but that is a photo of  the Jamaican/Guyana/Trinidad Thyme plant that I copied,just for comparison.See the leaves are wider than the one we get in the markets..Its Latin name is  LIPPIA MICROMERA.... I used that name to find it as there are so many AKA.I got so many versions offered....so I went Latin..Viola..It Worked!!!.Lets see how my cuttings go/grow.The older  stems get woody as it grows,,so one has to root the younger clips ...its a rather nice plant...if I can say so & I love the smell ;)
 
I'll look around for culantro seeds & i'll  report back if I spot any!
 
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