Papalo
Porophyllum ruderale
Also known as: Papaloquelite, Bolivian coriander, Quirquiña (Bolivia), Killi, Summer cilantro
Quick facts
- Category
- herbs soft
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Days to harvest
- 55 to 75 days
- Harvest type
- continuous production over weeks or months
- Spacing
- 30 cm between plants
Environment
- Temperature
- 18–35°C
- pH
- 6 to 7.5
- EC (hydroponic)
- 1 to 1.6 mS/cm
- Daily light
- 18 to 28 mol/m²/day (strict, will fail outside this range)
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 7 to 12 (winter low around -18°C or warmer)
- Frost tolerance
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer crops, frost-sensitive)
Viable growing environments:
- outdoor in growing season (annual)
- unheated greenhouse / hoop house
- heated greenhouse
- indoor (heated home)
- indoor hydroponics under grow lights
USDA zone bounds reflect outdoor year-round survival. Anywhere outside the bounded zone range, this crop still grows as an annual in the warm months (outdoor_seasonal), under cover (greenhouse), or indoors under lights.
Growing systems
Papalo works in:
- media bed (ebb and flow)
- wicking bed
- soil bed
- drip / Dutch buckets
Growing media
The substrate the roots sit in. Choice depends on the system (clay pebbles don't fit NFT channels; rockwool isn't used in media beds) and the crop (papalo works in the media listed below).
| Medium | pH effect | Water retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | low |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies by source | high | high |
Bacterial surface area matters for aquaponics: clay pebbles, lava rock, and pumice double as biofilter substrate. Low-surface media (rockwool, perlite, pea gravel) work in hydroponics but need a separate biofilter in aquaponics.
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights at each growth stage; the nutrient mix calculator scales them to absolute grams or ml. EC targets shift through the plant's life: seedlings need a much lighter solution than fruiting adults.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC target (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.8 |
| vegetative | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1.4 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible with typical aquaponics nutrient profiles. Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth; supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A warm-season herb for adventurous hydroponic growers. EC 1.0-2.0 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.5. Temperature: 22–35°C (tropical origin; thrives in heat; frost kills the plant). High light (DLI 16-25 mol/m2/day). Any hydroponic system works. From seed to first harvest: 6-8 weeks. The plant grows vigorously in warm conditions. Harvest individual leaves as needed; the plant produces new leaves continuously. The flavor is strongest in warm-grown leaves and mellows slightly in cooler conditions. Use raw only: papalo is never cooked. Add to tacos, sandwiches, salsas, and salads as a finishing herb. The intense flavor means most people either love it or hate it; there's little middle ground. For cemitas (the Puebla sandwich of breaded cutlet, cheese, avocado, and chipotle), papalo is non-negotiable and irreplaceable. Seeds are available from Mexican seed specialists and some US heirloom seed companies. A niche crop with passionate devotees among fans of authentic regional Mexican food.
Verified against: instituto-nacional-de-investigaciones-forestales-agricolas-y-pecuarias-mexico, u-of-arizona-cooperative-extension, international-potato-center. Last reviewed 2026-05-15.