When to plant Cilantro
A cool-season herb that's two crops in one: the leaves (cilantro) and the seeds (coriander). It bolts fast in heat and long days, so frequent small sowings keep fresh leaf coming. Let a few plants flower for seed and pollinators.
Companions: Spinach, peas, beans — avoid sowing near fennel
How to grow Cilantro
Cilantro is best direct-sown straight into the garden, as it dislikes being transplanted. Give it full sun to part shade and space plants about 4 inches apart. It takes roughly 45 days from planting to its first harvest, so count that against your frost dates to be sure it can finish. It also supports a fall sowing for a second harvest. Classic companions include spinach, peas, beans — avoid sowing near fennel.
Grower's tip: Cool-season herb that bolts fast in heat — succession-sow every few weeks.
When to plant Cilantro by USDA zone
Timing shifts with your climate — the same cilantro goes in weeks earlier in a mild zone than a cold one. Find your zone below for its planting window, or open that zone's full calendar.
| Zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 22 Direct sow outdoors Jun 20–Jul 11 |
| Zone 1b | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 17 Direct sow outdoors Jun 25–Jul 16 |
| Zone 2a | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 12 Direct sow outdoors Jun 30–Jul 21 |
| Zone 2b | Direct sow outdoors May 9–Jun 6 Direct sow outdoors Jul 7–Jul 28 |
| Zone 3a | Direct sow outdoors May 4–Jun 1 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Aug 4 |
| Zone 3b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 29–May 27 Direct sow outdoors Jul 18–Aug 8 |
| Zone 4a | Direct sow outdoors Apr 24–May 22 Direct sow outdoors Jul 24–Aug 14 |
| Zone 4b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 19–May 17 Direct sow outdoors Jul 28–Aug 18 |
| Zone 5a | Direct sow outdoors Apr 14–May 12 Direct sow outdoors Aug 6–Aug 27 |
| Zone 5b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 9–May 7 Direct sow outdoors Aug 10–Aug 31 |
| Zone 6a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 31–Apr 28 Direct sow outdoors Aug 22–Sep 12 |
| Zone 6b | Direct sow outdoors Mar 25–Apr 22 Direct sow outdoors Aug 30–Sep 20 |
| Zone 7a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 17–Apr 14 Direct sow outdoors Sep 7–Sep 28 |
| Zone 7b | Direct sow outdoors Mar 11–Apr 8 Direct sow outdoors Sep 15–Oct 6 |
| Zone 8a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 1–Mar 29 Direct sow outdoors Sep 23–Oct 14 |
| Zone 8b | Direct sow outdoors Feb 22–Mar 22 Direct sow outdoors Sep 30–Oct 21 |
| Zone 9a | Direct sow outdoors Feb 7–Mar 7 Direct sow outdoors Oct 10–Oct 31 |
| Zone 9b | Direct sow outdoors Jan 25–Feb 22 Direct sow outdoors Oct 20–Nov 10 |
| Zone 10a | Direct sow outdoors Jan 10–Feb 7 Direct sow outdoors Nov 2–Nov 23 |
| Zone 10b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 25–Jan 22 Direct sow outdoors Nov 5–Nov 26 |
| Zone 11a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 8 Direct sow outdoors Nov 5–Nov 26 |
| Zone 11b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 8 Direct sow outdoors Nov 5–Nov 26 |
| Zone 12a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 8 Direct sow outdoors Nov 5–Nov 26 |
| Zone 12b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 8 Direct sow outdoors Nov 5–Nov 26 |
| Zone 13a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 8 Direct sow outdoors Nov 5–Nov 26 |
| Zone 13b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 8 Direct sow outdoors Nov 5–Nov 26 |