How To Grow Cilantro From Seed Outdoors

You can grow cilantro from seed outdoors pretty easily once you know what this cool-weather herb actually wants from you.
 
Cilantro grows fast from seed outdoors, and it actually prefers the cooler shoulder seasons over the heat of midsummer.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to grow cilantro from seed outdoors without watching it bolt overnight, you’re in the right place.
 
You don’t need a greenhouse or fancy gear either.
 
All you really need is a sunny spot, decent soil, and a little patience with those tough little seeds.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow cilantro from seed outdoors, when to plant it, and how to keep it coming back for months.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Grow Cilantro From Seed Outdoors

Growing cilantro from seed outdoors comes down to three things: timing, soil, and water.
 
Get those right, and you’ll have more cilantro than you know what to do with.
 

1. Start at the Right Time of Year

The best time to grow cilantro from seed outdoors is early spring or early fall.
 
Cilantro is a cool-season herb, so it thrives when temperatures sit between 50°F and 85°F.
 
Once the heat climbs past 85°F, cilantro bolts, meaning it shoots up a flower stalk and the leaves turn bitter.
 
So if you live somewhere with hot summers, plant cilantro from seed outdoors in March or April for a spring harvest, then again in late August or September for a fall crop.
 
In mild climates, you can grow cilantro from seed outdoors almost year-round.
 

2. Pick a Spot With Sun and Good Drainage

Cilantro likes full sun to partial shade, so aim for at least four to six hours of direct light.
 
If you’re growing cilantro from seed outdoors in a hot region, a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade works best.
 
The soil needs to drain well because cilantro hates sitting in soggy ground.
 
Loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 is ideal for growing cilantro from seed outdoors.
 
Mix in some compost before planting and you’re basically set.
 

3. Prepare Those Stubborn Seeds

Here’s the thing most people don’t know: each cilantro seed is actually a husk holding two seeds inside.
 
That tough outer shell is why cilantro can take up to three weeks to germinate.
 
Before you grow cilantro from seed outdoors, gently crush the seeds with the back of a spoon to split the husk.
 
Then soak them in water for a few hours or overnight.
 
This simple step can cut germination time in half when you grow cilantro from seed outdoors.
 

Planting Cilantro Seeds Outdoors Step by Step

Once your spot and seeds are ready, planting cilantro seeds outdoors is quick work.
 
Here’s how to do it right.
 

1. Sow Seeds Directly in the Ground

Cilantro doesn’t transplant well because of its taproot, so always sow cilantro seeds outdoors directly where they’ll grow.
 
Plant them about a quarter inch deep and space them roughly six to eight inches apart.
 
If you’re sowing cilantro seeds outdoors in rows, keep the rows about a foot apart.
 
Cover lightly with soil and water gently so the seeds don’t wash away.
 

2. Keep the Soil Consistently Moist

While your cilantro seeds are germinating, the soil should stay evenly moist, never soggy and never bone dry.
 
A light misting once or twice a day works better than a heavy soak.
 
Once seedlings pop up, water deeply about once a week, letting the top inch of soil dry out between waterings.
 
This is the part where most people fail when they grow cilantro from seed outdoors.
 

3. Thin the Seedlings

Once your cilantro seedlings are about two inches tall, thin them so they stand four to six inches apart.
 
Don’t toss the thinnings either, because those baby leaves are perfect for tacos.
 
Thinning gives each plant room to grow cilantro from seed outdoors into a full, bushy clump.
 

4. Feed Lightly and Watch for Pests

Cilantro doesn’t need much fertilizer, but a light dose of compost tea every few weeks helps.
 
Aphids love cilantro, so check the undersides of leaves and blast them off with water if you spot them.
 
Keep an eye out for caterpillars too, especially if you’re growing cilantro from seed outdoors near other leafy greens.
 

How to Keep Cilantro From Bolting Outdoors

Bolting is the number one complaint when you grow cilantro from seed outdoors.
 
Luckily, there are a few tricks to slow it down.
 

1. Choose Slow-Bolt Varieties

If you want to grow cilantro from seed outdoors in a warm climate, look for slow-bolt types like ‘Calypso’ or ‘Santo.’
 
These varieties take longer to flower and give you a bigger harvest window.
 

2. Shade and Water During Heat Waves

A little afternoon shade and steady moisture go a long way toward delaying bolting.
 
Mulch around your plants to keep the soil cool when you grow cilantro from seed outdoors in summer.
 

3. Sow Successively Every Few Weeks

The smartest way to grow cilantro from seed outdoors is to sow a new batch every two to three weeks.
 
That way, when one patch bolts, the next one is ready to pick.
 

So, How Do You Grow Cilantro From Seed Outdoors?

You grow cilantro from seed outdoors by sowing in cool weather, splitting the seed husks, and keeping the soil evenly moist.
 
Pick a sunny spot with good drainage, thin your seedlings, and water consistently.
 
Then sow new seeds every few weeks so you always have a fresh supply.
 
Follow these steps and you’ll grow cilantro from seed outdoors like a pro, from that first spicy leaf all the way to your final fall harvest.