Chinese Grocery Cilantro carries the living history of Tucson's vibrant Chinese community, a seed passed down from the Wong family who ran R&R Groceries in the mid-20th century. This cultivar of Coriandrum sativum arrived in 1988 through a generous seed donation to Native Seeds/SEARCH, preserving a variety that fed families and sustained a cultural heritage when approximately 100 Chinese grocery stores thrived in downtown Tucson during the 1940s. Growing this herb connects you to that immigrant legacy while enjoying the fresh, aromatic leaves that have graced kitchens across countless cuisines worldwide.
—
Moderate
?-?
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
This is more than just another cilantro variety; it's a piece of Tucson's Chinese American history, saved from a family grocery store that served the community for generations. The seed represents an era when family-run markets were the backbone of cultural neighborhoods, and every plant you grow honors that resilience and connection to place. By cultivating Chinese Grocery Cilantro, you're participating in seed preservation and keeping alive the stories of communities that shaped the Southwest.
Cilantro leaves are harvested fresh and used extensively in Chinese cuisine, from aromatic broths and soups to stir-fries and as a vibrant garnish that adds complexity and brightness. The fresh leaves are also integral to countless global cuisines, appearing in Latin American salsas, Indian chutneys, Vietnamese dishes, and Middle Eastern preparations. Seeds from cilantro plants can be dried and used as coriander spice for seasoning and pickling.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds directly into the garden bed or container in cool seasons when soil temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant in fall for winter and spring harvest in warm climates, or in early spring for summer harvest in cooler regions.
Begin harvesting cilantro leaves once the plant has developed several sets of true leaves, typically 3 to 4 weeks after sowing. Pinch or cut leaves from the outer portions of the plant, working your way inward, which encourages bushier growth and extends the harvest period. Continue harvesting before the plant bolts and flowers; once flowering begins, leaf quality declines rapidly and the plant's energy shifts to seed production. In warm weather, cilantro bolts quickly, so harvest frequently and plan successive sowings to maintain a steady supply.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“The story of Chinese Grocery Cilantro begins in 1988 when a seed donor brought this variety to Native Seeds/SEARCH with a remarkable provenance: it came from the Wong family, who operated R&R Groceries, one of the many Chinese grocery stores that formed the commercial heart of Tucson's Chinese community. By the 1940s, approximately 100 such stores lined the streets of downtown Tucson, nearly all staffed and sustained by family labor. This particular seed represents that era of immigrant entrepreneurship and cultural self-sufficiency, when Chinese families grew and sold the herbs and produce essential to their cuisines and communities. The seed's journey from R&R Groceries to Native Seeds/SEARCH reflects a broader commitment to preserving the agricultural heritage of communities whose contributions often go unrecognized.”