How Long Does It Take To Germinate Cilantro Seeds

Cilantro seeds typically take 7 to 10 days to germinate under the right conditions.
 
But that window can stretch to 14 days or even longer if the weather is cool or the seeds are planted too deep.
 
If you’ve been wondering how long it takes to germinate cilantro seeds, the honest answer is that it depends on soil temperature, moisture, and how you treat the seeds before planting.
 
Cilantro is a fast-growing herb once it gets going, but germination is the slowest part of the whole process.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how long cilantro seeds take to germinate, what speeds up or slows down that timeline, and how to get your best germination rate yet.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How Long Does It Take to Germinate Cilantro Seeds?

Cilantro seeds germinate in about 7 to 10 days when soil temperatures sit between 55°F and 70°F.
 
That’s the sweet spot.
 
When you germinate cilantro seeds in cooler soil, expect closer to 14 days.
 
In hot soil above 85°F, cilantro seeds germinate poorly or sometimes not at all, because the plant prefers cool weather from start to finish.
 
Here’s the key thing most gardeners miss: each cilantro “seed” is actually a whole fruit containing two seeds inside.
 
That little detail affects how long it takes to germinate cilantro seeds, because the tough outer husk slows water absorption.
 
So if you want faster germination, you have to help water get inside that husk.
 

1. Soil Temperature Sets the Clock

Soil temperature is the single biggest factor in how long cilantro seeds take to germinate.
 
At 55°F to 70°F, you’ll see sprouts in 7 to 10 days.
 
Drop below 50°F and germination can take two to three weeks.
 
Climb above 85°F and cilantro seeds often go dormant instead of sprouting.
 
That’s why spring and early fall plantings germinate cilantro seeds fastest in most climates.
 

2. Moisture Matters More Than You Think

Cilantro seeds need consistent moisture to germinate, but not soggy soil.
 
If the top inch of soil dries out even once during that 7-to-10-day window, germination stalls.
 
A light misting twice a day keeps things on track without washing seeds away.
 
This is one of the most common reasons cilantro seeds take longer than expected to germinate.
 

3. Scarifying Speeds Things Up

Gently cracking the outer husk of cilantro seeds before planting can cut germination time down to 5 to 7 days.
 
Just press each seed with the back of a spoon until you hear a small crack.
 
Don’t crush it, just split the husk so water gets in faster.
 
Soaking cilantro seeds in water for 24 hours before planting does something similar.
 
Both tricks shorten how long it takes to germinate cilantro seeds, sometimes by nearly half.
 

How to Germinate Cilantro Seeds Faster

If 7 to 10 days feels like forever, these steps can push germination closer to 5 days.
 

1. Soak the Seeds Overnight

Drop your cilantro seeds in a bowl of room-temperature water and let them sit for 12 to 24 hours.
 
This softens the husk and kickstarts the germination process before the seeds even hit the soil.
 

2. Plant Shallow, Not Deep

Cilantro seeds should go just ¼ inch deep.
 
Plant them any deeper and germinate cilantro seeds becomes a waiting game that can stretch past two weeks.
 
Lightly press the soil over them and water gently.
 

3. Keep the Soil Consistently Damp

A spray bottle is your best friend here.
 
Mist the soil surface every morning and evening until you see green.
 

4. Start Indoors for Control

Starting cilantro seeds indoors gives you total control over temperature and moisture.
 
Germinate cilantro seeds in trays at 65°F to 70°F and you’ll usually see sprouts within a week.
 

Why Your Cilantro Seeds Aren’t Germinating

Sometimes you do everything right and still nothing pops up.
 
Here are the usual suspects.
 

1. Old or Stored Seeds

Cilantro seeds lose viability fast.
 
If your seeds are more than a year old, germination rates drop sharply.
 

2. Soil Crusting

When soil dries and hardens on top, tiny cilantro sprouts can’t push through.
 
Keep the surface loose and moist.
 

3. Temperatures Too High

Hot summer soil is the number one reason cilantro seeds fail.
 
If it’s above 85°F outside, start your cilantro seeds indoors instead.
 

So, How Long Does It Take to Germinate Cilantro Seeds?

Cilantro seeds take 7 to 10 days to germinate in ideal conditions, and up to 14 days or more when it’s cool.
 
The biggest factors are soil temperature, moisture, and whether you scarify or soak the seeds first.
 
Soak them overnight, plant them shallow, keep the soil damp, and you can shave days off the wait.
 
Now that you know how long it takes to germinate cilantro seeds, you can time your planting and enjoy fresh cilantro sooner.