Leaf Coriander 'Konrad' - Coriandrum sativum

Leaf Coriander 'Konrad' – aromatic, high‑yielding leaf coriander with fine, tender foliage. 

Annual variety selected for vigorous leaf production, with an intense, fresh aroma and a subtle lemony note. It grows compact and bushy, develops strong, deep‑green leaves, and is particularly bolt‑resistant. Robust, high‑yielding, and open‑pollinated – ideal for self‑sufficiency and organic cultivation.

  Origin & History

The leaf coriander 'Konrad' is a modern, open‑pollinated variety first described in 2004 and developed within ecological breeding programs specifically for leaf production. Its breeding foundation consisted of genetically diverse lines of true coriander (Coriandrum sativum), from which plants with strong leaf growth, an extended vegetative phase, and significantly reduced bolting tendency were selected. The variety was created to ensure stable, long‑lasting leaf production and to perform reliably even under fluctuating weather conditions.

Leaf coriander 'Konrad' is characterized by delayed flowering, which significantly extends the harvest period—an important advantage over traditional coriander, which often bolts early. This trait makes the variety particularly suitable for home gardens, balcony cultivation, and professional herb production, where continuous leaf growth is essential. Thanks to its genetic stability, the variety can be reliably propagated and contributes to maintaining diversity within the crop species.

Botanically, 'Konrad' belongs to the family Apiaceae, the subfamily Apioideae, and the genus Coriandrum. Its development is considered an example of modern ecological herb breeding, producing robust, aromatic, and adaptable varieties that can be cultivated without intensive interventions. Since its introduction, 'Konrad' has become established in many European regions and is now regarded as one of the most reliable bolt‑resistant leaf coriander varieties in organic cultivation.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plant grows compact and bushy, reaching a height of about 40 to 60 cm. It forms a dense rosette of strong, deep‑green leaves that can be harvested continuously. Thanks to its bolt resistance, it remains longer in the vegetative phase and produces flowers only late. Warm‑loving and sensitive to frost.

Leaf details:

• Size: Leaves 3–6 cm long, finely pinnate

• Shape: Pinnate to bipinnate, parsley‑like

• Color: Fresh green with a slight sheen

• Texture: Tender, juicy, and slightly succulent

• Flavor: Intensely aromatic, fresh, and typically coriander‑like with a subtle lemony note, less soapy in taste than true coriander

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The fresh leaves of the leaf coriander 'Konrad' are excellent for Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern dishes and are indispensable in curries, salsas, chutneys, guacamole, and pho. They pair well with fish, seafood, poultry, and vegetables, enhancing soups, stews, and rice dishes. Their fresh aroma also unfolds beautifully in salads, dips, dressings, spring rolls, summer rolls, and cold noodle bowls. Thanks to its intense, less soapy flavor, 'Konrad' is especially popular as a fresh topping for bowls, wraps, tacos, and vegetarian dishes. The leaves are also used in smoothies, pestos, herb butter, and herb oils, giving modern dishes a distinctive aroma. In addition, they are ideal for aromatic herb pastes, cold noodle salads, Asian herb omelets, savory pancakes, fresh salsa verdes, Vietnamese herb platters, chilled summer dishes such as gazpacho, as well as for pickled vegetables and flavorful spreads.

Thanks to its robust, compact growth, the leaf coriander 'Konrad' thrives reliably in greenhouses, on windowsills, in balcony containers, and outdoors. This particularly bolt‑resistant variety produces new leaves continuously over a long period while remaining easy to care for. With sufficient warmth and moisture, it delivers stable yields and is well suited for repeated harvests. It grows well in loose garden soil as well as in moderately nutrient‑rich or humus‑rich, well‑drained substrates, and shows reliable development even under fluctuating temperatures. Its rapid germination allows for an early start to the season, and its compact form makes cultivation easy even in small containers. A decoction made from the leaves can help repel pests and attract beneficial insects, while the variety shows strong resistance to foliar diseases in well‑ventilated locations.

Compared to coriander, 'Konrad' is specifically bred for leaf production—bolt‑resistant, high‑yielding, and with a particularly aromatic, less soapy flavor. Ideal for anyone who wants to harvest large quantities of fresh coriander leaves continuously.