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You can plant cilantro outside once the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is consistently above 50°F.
Cilantro is a cool-season herb, which means it actually prefers the milder temperatures of spring and fall rather than the scorching heat of midsummer.
If you plant cilantro outside at the right time, you’ll be rewarded with a fast-growing, flavorful harvest that’s perfect for salsas, curries, and garnishes.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to plant cilantro outside, from choosing the right spot to keeping your plants productive for as long as possible.
Let’s dig in.
How to Plant Cilantro Outside
Learning how to plant cilantro outside isn’t complicated, but there are a few key steps that make a big difference.
Follow these and your cilantro will get off to a strong start.
1. Pick the Right Time of Year
The best time to plant cilantro outside is in early spring or early fall.
Cilantro bolts, or goes to seed, quickly when temperatures climb above 75°F, so timing matters more than almost anything else.
If you live in a hot climate, planting cilantro outside in fall gives you a much longer harvest window.
2. Choose a Spot With Partial Sun
Cilantro likes about four to six hours of sun a day.
In warmer regions, planting cilantro outside in a spot that gets afternoon shade helps delay bolting.
Too much intense sun stresses the plant and pushes it to flower early.
3. Prepare Loose, Well-Draining Soil
Cilantro grows best in loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
Mix in some compost before you plant cilantro outside to give the roots plenty of nutrients and room to spread.
A soil pH between 6.2 and 6.8 is ideal.
4. Sow Seeds Directly
Cilantro doesn’t transplant well because of its taproot, so it’s best to sow seeds directly where they’ll grow.
Plant seeds about a quarter inch deep and space them six to eight inches apart.
When you plant cilantro outside this way, you avoid the shock that often comes with moving seedlings.
5. Water Gently and Consistently
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Water gently so you don’t wash away the seeds or disturb young roots.
Once your cilantro is established, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
Tips for Growing Cilantro Outside
Once you know how to plant cilantro outside, a few growing tips will help you get the most from every plant.
1. Sow Successively for a Steady Supply
Cilantro has a short life cycle, so plant a new batch every two to three weeks.
This keeps you in fresh leaves all season long.
Succession planting is one of the smartest habits when you grow cilantro outside.
2. Mulch to Keep Roots Cool
A light layer of mulch helps hold moisture and keeps soil temperatures down.
Cooler roots mean slower bolting and more leaves to harvest.
3. Harvest Often
Snip the outer leaves first, and never take more than a third of the plant at once.
Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth and delays flowering.
4. Watch for Pests
Aphids and whiteflies are the most common pests on cilantro.
A strong spray of water usually knocks them off without harming your plants.
5. Let Some Bolt for Coriander
If your cilantro does bolt, don’t panic.
The flowers feed pollinators, and the seeds that follow are coriander, a spice you can harvest and use in your kitchen.
Common Mistakes When You Plant Cilantro Outside
Even seasoned gardeners make a few missteps when they plant cilantro outside.
1. Planting Too Late in Spring
Wait too long and the heat will cause your cilantro to bolt before you get a decent harvest.
2. Overwatering
Cilantro hates soggy roots.
Consistent moisture is good, but standing water leads to rot and disease.
3. Crowding the Plants
Cilantro needs airflow to stay healthy.
Thin your seedlings so each plant has room to grow.
So, How Do You Plant Cilantro Outside?
You plant cilantro outside by sowing seeds directly in loose, well-draining soil during cool weather, keeping the ground evenly moist, and giving the plants partial sun.
Timing is everything with cilantro, so aim for spring or fall and sow in small batches every few weeks.
With a little care, your cilantro will thrive outdoors and keep your kitchen stocked with fresh, fragrant leaves all season.