When to plant cilantro
The rule
Method: Direct-sow in the garden. Frost tolerance: frost-tender (derived from the planting timing above).
Cilantro is frost-tender; it's grown as a spring/summer crop.
Cilantro planting dates by hardiness zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Direct-sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Zone 2b | — | May 25 – June 8 | — |
| Zone 3b | — | May 20 – June 3 | — |
| Zone 4a | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | April 30 – May 14 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | April 23 – May 7 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | April 15 – April 29 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | April 6 – April 20 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Zone 9a | — | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | February 2 – February 16 | — |
| Zone 10a | — | January 15 – January 29 | — |
| Zone 10b | — | January 20 – February 3 | — |
What you'll need
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Calendar computed 2026-09-27. Sources: University of Illinois Extension — Herb Gardening: Cilantro; NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals (frost); USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map.