🌿 When to Plant Cilantro

🌿 Herb
Cool Season

Direct sow in cool weather; bolts quickly in heat. Succession plant every 3 weeks

📅 Planting Calendar by USDA Zone

Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.

Find my zone
Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant Direct Sow
Zone 2A May 30 May 2
Zone 3B May 15 Apr 17
Zone 4A May 8 Apr 10
Zone 4B May 1 Apr 3
Zone 5A Apr 25 Mar 28
Zone 5B Apr 18 Mar 21
Zone 6A Apr 21 Mar 24
Zone 6B Apr 10 Mar 13
Zone 7A Apr 5 Mar 8
Zone 7B Mar 28 Feb 28
Zone 8A Mar 20 Feb 20
Zone 8B Mar 12 Feb 12
Zone 9A Feb 28 Jan 31
Zone 9B Feb 15 Jan 18
Zone 10A Feb 1 Jan 4
Zone 10B Jan 15 Dec 18
Zone 11A Jan 1 Dec 4

Cilantro is a fast-growing cool-season herb that bolts quickly in heat. Plan for succession planting.

Top Growing Tips

  • Bolts to seed (coriander) in warm weather — plant in spring and fall
  • Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest
  • Slow-bolt varieties like ‘Calypso’ extend your harvest
  • Let some plants go to seed — coriander is a great spice
  • Self-seeds readily if you let it flower

Companion Planting

Good companions: beans, peas, tomatoes, spinach

Avoid planting near: fennel

Harvest Timeline

21-30 days for leaves; 90-100 days for coriander seed