A Comprehensive Guide to 19 of the Best Cilantro Varieties

Cilantro, also known as fresh coriander, is a versatile aromatic herb extensively cultivated for its leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots. This flavorful herb can add a zesty touch to a variety of dishes. When you take the plunge and decide to grow your own cilantro, you’ll be delighted to discover an array of different types and cultivars to choose from!

As a die-hard cilantro lover, I always aimed to grow an abundance of this vibrant herb every year to enhance the flavor of my meals. Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I delved into the world of different varieties of cilantro. The journey was truly enlightening!

While we normally sift through catalogs to pick out various varieties of beans and squash, exploring distinct types of cilantro opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. From petite plants to large-leaved giants, heat-resistant champions to cold weather queens, there is so much to discover in the world of cilantro cultivars.

In this extensive article, we will delve into 19 different types of cilantro and plants with flavors reminiscent of cilantro. Most of these options are cultivars of the Coriandrum sativum species, though we will also touch on a few outliers. For each variety, we’ll provide insights, culinary uses, and suggestions on where to find seeds or live plants for your garden. So, brace yourself for a flavorful journey!

The Roundup: 19 of the Best Cilantro Varieties

Table of Contents

Advanced Turbo II
A disease-resistant and heat-tolerant variety of C. sativum that is slow to bolt.
Perfect for making a cilantro-centric sauce like zhoug sauce.
Calypso
Known for bushy plants that are slow to bolt.
Ideal for Caribbean-style dishes.
Available in packs of 100 seeds from the Park Seed Store.
Caribe
Dark green leaves on vigorous plants, suitable for greenhouse growing.
Great for adding to chutney.
Available in various package sizes from High Mowing Organic Seeds.
Confetti
Finely divided foliage ideal for culinary creations.
Milder, sweeter flavor than other varieties.
Perfect for rice paper rolls or tacos.
Available in packs of 150 seeds from Burpee.
Cruiser
Upright plants with dark green foliage.
Best for growing in containers and serving with refreshing cucumber salad.
Available in various packet sizes from High Mowing Organic Seeds.
Culantro
Also known as Eryngium foetidum, offering a more potent flavor than cilantro.
Excellent for incorporating into sofrito.
Available in packs of 300 seeds from the Seed Needs Store.
Delfino
An All-America Selections winner with finely divided, feathery foliage.
Great for lime cilantro yogurt sauce.
Available in packs of 100 seeds from Hirt’s.

1. Advanced Turbo II

Our first selection, ‘Advanced Turbo II’, is a disease-resistant and heat-tolerant pick. This fast-growing variety of cilantro boasts glossy green leaves that are slow to bolt. If you have faced issues with bacterial blight on your cilantro, this variety is resistant to that bacterial pathogen. ‘Advanced Turbo II’ is ideal for making cilantro-centric sauces and can be harvested within 35 to 40 days. While currently more common among large-scale farmers, we hope it becomes widely available to small-scale gardeners in the future.

2. Calypso

‘Calypso’ varieties are known for their bushy plants that are slow to bolt. They yield bunches of fresh coriander foliage within 50 to 55 days or 85 to 105 days for seeds. Consider adding fresh leaves of ‘Calypso’ to Caribbean-style dishes by purchasing them in packs of 100 seeds from the Park Seed Store.

3. Caribe

The ‘Caribe’ variety of cilantro boasts dark green leaves on vigorous plants. Ideal for greenhouse growing, ‘Caribe’ is a slow-bolt option with thinner stems compared to ‘Santo’, offering excellent bolt resistance. Engage your culinary creations by adding ‘Caribe’ leaves to chutney. Purchase ‘Caribe’ cilantro packets ranging from one-eighth of an ounce up to 20 pounds from High Mowing Organic Seeds.

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In this comprehensive guide, we have explored 19 different cilantro varieties, providing insights into their characteristics, culinary uses, and where to find them. From disease-resistant picks to heat-tolerant champions, there is a cilantro variety for every gardener’s preference. Whether you are growing cilantro for culinary endeavors or as a fragrant addition to your garden, these diverse cultivars offer a spectrum of flavors and benefits. So, embark on your cilantro growing journey and savor the diverse aromas and tastes of these flavorful herbs!