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You can plant cilantro in early spring or late summer, depending on your climate, because this cool-season herb grows best when temperatures stay between 50°F and 85°F.
If you’ve been wondering how and when to plant cilantro so it thrives instead of bolting overnight, you’re in the right place.
Cilantro is one of those herbs that rewards you big time when you get the timing right, and punishes you with flowers and seeds when you don’t.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how and when to plant cilantro, whether you’re growing it in a garden bed, a raised bed, or a pot on your kitchen windowsill.
Let’s dig in.
When to Plant Cilantro
Knowing when to plant cilantro is honestly half the battle, because this herb is picky about temperature.
Plant cilantro too late in spring, and the heat will send it straight to seed before you get a decent harvest.
Here’s how to time it right:
1. Plant Cilantro in Early Spring
The best time to plant cilantro outdoors is two to three weeks before your last expected frost date.
Cilantro seeds germinate best when soil temperatures sit between 55°F and 68°F.
This cool window lets the plants establish roots and leaf out before summer heat arrives.
2. Plant Cilantro Again in Late Summer
If your springs heat up fast, don’t stress, because you can plant cilantro again in late summer for a fall harvest.
Aim to sow seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before your first fall frost.
The milder fall temperatures keep cilantro from bolting too quickly.
3. In Warm Climates, Plant Cilantro in Fall or Winter
If you live somewhere with mild winters, fall and winter are actually the best months to plant cilantro.
Gardeners in zones 8 through 11 often get their best cilantro crops from October through February.
4. Start Cilantro Indoors Anytime
You can plant cilantro indoors year-round as long as you give it bright light and consistent moisture.
Just keep in mind that indoor cilantro still bolts faster in warm rooms, so a cool windowsill works best.
How to Plant Cilantro
Once you know when to plant cilantro, the how part is pretty straightforward, but a few tricks make a big difference.
1. Choose the Right Spot
Cilantro loves full sun in cool weather but appreciates partial shade once things warm up.
If you’re planting cilantro in summer, give it afternoon shade to slow bolting.
2. Prepare Loose, Well-Draining Soil
Cilantro grows best in loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8.
Mix in some compost before planting cilantro so the roots have nutrients and room to spread.
3. Sow Cilantro Seeds Directly
Cilantro hates being transplanted, so direct sowing is the way to go.
Plant cilantro seeds about a quarter inch deep and 6 to 8 inches apart.
4. Crack the Seeds First
Each cilantro seed is actually a husk holding two seeds, so gently crushing it before planting cilantro speeds up germination.
You can also soak the seeds overnight to soften that tough outer shell.
5. Water Gently and Consistently
Keep the soil evenly moist while the seeds germinate, which usually takes 7 to 10 days.
After planting cilantro, water lightly so you don’t wash the seeds away.
6. Succession Plant Every 2 to 3 Weeks
The secret to a steady supply is to plant cilantro in small batches every few weeks.
That way, when one patch starts bolting, the next one is ready to take over.
Tips for Growing Cilantro Successfully
Getting cilantro to thrive comes down to a few simple habits.
1. Harvest Often to Delay Bolting
Snip the outer leaves regularly, because frequent harvesting keeps cilantro producing fresh foliage instead of flowers.
2. Grow Slow-Bolt Varieties
If you’re planting cilantro in a hot climate, look for slow-bolt types like ‘Santo’ or ‘Calypso’.
3. Use Shade Cloth in Summer
A little shade cloth can drop the temperature enough to keep cilantro from bolting during a heat wave.
4. Let Some Plants Go to Seed
If cilantro does bolt, don’t toss it, because those seeds become coriander, which is delicious in its own right.
And the flowers feed pollinators too.
5. Avoid Overwatering
Cilantro likes moisture but not soggy roots, so make sure your soil drains well.
So, How and When to Plant Cilantro?
You plant cilantro in early spring or late summer, in loose soil, with seeds sown directly and watered consistently.
The trick is timing it around cool weather, because heat is what makes cilantro bolt.
If you plant cilantro in small batches and harvest often, you’ll have fresh leaves all season long.
Now you know exactly how and when to plant cilantro, so grab some seeds and get growing.