When To Plant Cilantro Seedlings

The best time to plant cilantro seedlings is in the cool weather of early spring or fall, as cilantro thrives in temperatures between 50°F and 70°F.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to plant cilantro seedlings, the short answer is that these tender young plants absolutely dislike the summer heat.
 
Cilantro seedlings are quick to bolt, meaning they’ll send up flowers and turn bitter if the weather gets too warm for them.
 
So, when to plant cilantro seedlings really comes down to working with your local climate and giving them those cool, short-day conditions they love.
 
In this post, we’ll talk about the ideal timing for cilantro seedlings in different zones, how to harden them off, and what to do if you miss that perfect planting window.
 
Let’s dig in and get those cilantro seedlings into the ground at the right moment for a long, flavorful harvest.
 

When To Plant Cilantro Seedlings For The Best Success

Cilantro seedlings are not like your heat-loving tomatoes or peppers, so the timing is completely different.
 
You’ll want to plant cilantro seedlings about two to four weeks before your last expected frost date in the spring.
 
That’s because these little plants can handle a light frost without any trouble at all, which makes them one of the first things you can put in the garden.
 
In the fall, you’ll want to plant cilantro seedlings again about six to eight weeks before your first expected frost.
 
This gives them enough time to grow into full plants while the soil is still warm but the air is getting that crisp autumn feel.
 
The key to knowing when to plant cilantro seedlings is to avoid the hot months of June, July, and August in most regions.
 
If you plant cilantro seedlings during peak summer, they’ll likely bolt within a week or two, leaving you with bitter leaves and tiny seeds instead of a fresh harvest.
 
Let’s look at the specific timing by climate zone so you can figure out your exact date for cilantro seedlings.
 

1. When To Plant Cilantro Seedlings In Cool Climates (Zones 3-5)

If you live in a cooler northern region, the best time to plant cilantro seedlings is as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring.
 
In these zones, that often means late March through early May, depending on when the snow melts and the ground thaws.
 
Cilantro seedlings will happily sit through a light freeze, so you don’t need to wait for the danger of frost to fully pass.
 
For a fall crop in these cool climates, plant cilantro seedlings again in late August to early September.
 
The shorter days and cooler nights will keep them growing strong until the hard frosts of November arrive.
 
You can even plant cilantro seedlings in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse to extend your harvest well into winter.
 

2. When To Plant Cilantro Seedlings In Mild Climates (Zones 6-8)

In mild zones, the window for planting cilantro seedlings is a bit wider because your springs and falls are longer.
 
Plant cilantro seedlings in early spring, right around the beginning of March through mid-April, depending on your exact location.
 
Because your winters are milder, you can also plant cilantro seedlings in late autumn for a winter harvest.
 
For these zones, a fall planting of cilantro seedlings in September or early October will give you leaves all through November and sometimes even December.
 
The trick is to avoid planting cilantro seedlings in May or June, when temperatures start climbing into the 80s.
 
Once daytime highs regularly exceed 75°F, cilantro seedlings will begin to struggle and the leaves will lose that fresh, citrusy flavor.
 

3. When To Plant Cilantro Seedlings In Warm Climates (Zones 9-11)

If you’re in a warm southern zone, your best time to plant cilantro seedlings is actually in the fall and winter months.
 
In places like Florida, Texas, or Southern California, you’ll want to plant cilantro seedlings from October through February.
 
Your summers are simply too brutal for cilantro seedlings, as they’ll bolt almost immediately in the intense heat.
 
Fall is the real season for cilantro seedlings in warm areas, as the weather starts to cool down and the daylight hours become shorter.
 
You can also do a late winter planting of cilantro seedlings in January or February so they mature right as spring begins.
 
Just make sure you don’t plant cilantro seedlings too late in the spring, because by April or May, the heat will be on the way.
 

How To Harden Off Cilantro Seedlings Before Planting

Once you’ve figured out when to plant cilantro seedlings, you can’t just toss them straight from the nursery into the garden.
 
You’ll need to harden them off first, which is just a fancy way of slowly getting them used to outdoor conditions.
 
Start by placing your cilantro seedlings outside in a shady, sheltered spot for about an hour on the first day.
 
Then, over the next five to seven days, gradually increase the time they spend outside and expose them to more direct sun.
 
By the end of the week, your cilantro seedlings should be tough enough to handle a full day outside without any shock.
 
This step is super important because skipping it can cause your cilantro seedlings to wilt, stunt, or even die after transplanting.
 
A gentle breeze and some morning sun will work wonders for strengthening those delicate stems of your cilantro seedlings.
 

Tips For Getting Your Cilantro Seedlings Off To A Great Start

After you know when to plant cilantro seedlings, the next step is giving them the right soil and care.
 
Cilantro seedlings love rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH right around 6.5.
 
Before you plant cilantro seedlings, mix in some compost or a slow-release organic fertilizer to give them a good foundation.
 
Space your cilantro seedlings about six to eight inches apart so they have plenty of airflow and room to grow.
 
Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, because cilantro seedlings hate sitting in soggy dirt.
 
A layer of mulch around your cilantro seedlings will help hold in moisture and keep the roots cool during warm days.
 
If you’re planting cilantro seedlings in a container, just make sure the pot is at least eight inches deep for their taproots.
 

So, When To Plant Cilantro Seedlings?

The best time to plant cilantro seedlings is in the cool weather of early spring or fall, as cilantro thrives in temperatures between 50°F and 70°F.
 
You’ll want to plant cilantro seedlings about two to four weeks before your last frost in spring and six to eight weeks before your first frost in fall.
 
If you live in a warm climate, flip that schedule and plant cilantro seedlings during your winter months instead.
 
No matter where you garden, just remember that cilantro seedlings hate the heat, so keep them out of summer’s peak.
 
Now that you know exactly when to plant cilantro seedlings, you can get them in the ground and enjoy a steady supply of fresh, fragrant leaves.
 
Happy planting, and may your cilantro seedlings grow into the most flavorful, bolt-free plants you’ve ever grown.