When To Plant Fall Cilantro

Fall cilantro should be planted in late summer to early fall, usually from mid-August through September, depending on your growing zone.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to plant fall cilantro so you can enjoy fresh leaves before the cold sets in, the timing really comes down to soil temperature and the number of days before your first frost.
 
Cilantro is a cool-season herb, which means it actually thrives when the weather starts to cool down rather than heat up.
 
So while spring planting often leads to bolting, planting cilantro in fall gives you a longer harvest window and happier plants.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly when to plant cilantro in fall, how to choose the right window for your region, and the simple tricks that keep your crop productive.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

When to Plant Fall Cilantro

The best time to plant cilantro in fall is roughly 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost date.
 
For most gardeners in cooler zones, that means sowing seeds in late August or early September.
 
If you live in a warmer climate with mild winters, you can plant cilantro in fall as late as October or even November.
 
The idea is to give the seeds enough time to germinate and grow while the soil is still warm, but let the plants mature as the air cools.
 
Here’s why that window works so well:

1. Cooler Air Prevents Bolting

Cilantro bolts, or flowers and goes to seed, when temperatures climb above 75°F for too long.
 
When you plant cilantro in fall, the shortening days and dropping temperatures keep the plant in leaf production mode instead of seed mode.
 
That means you get more of those tender, flavorful leaves for salsa, soups, and garnishes.
 
This is the single biggest reason fall is arguably the best season for cilantro.
 

2. Warm Soil Speeds Up Germination

Cilantro seeds germinate best when soil temperatures sit between 55°F and 70°F.
 
In late summer and early fall, the ground still holds plenty of warmth from the summer sun.
 
So when you plant fall cilantro at this time, the seeds sprout quickly, often within 7 to 10 days.
 
That warm soil is a big advantage over early spring planting, when cold ground can delay sprouting for weeks.
 

3. Fewer Pests and Less Heat Stress

Summer heat stresses cilantro and attracts pests like aphids and leafhoppers.
 
By the time you plant cilantro in fall, those pest populations have usually dropped off.
 
Cooler nights also reduce water loss, so your plants stay hydrated with less fuss.
 
It’s simply a more relaxed growing environment for this delicate herb.
 

How to Plant Fall Cilantro for the Best Results

Knowing when to plant fall cilantro is half the battle, but how you plant it matters just as much.
 
Here are the key steps to get it right:

1. Sow Seeds Directly in the Garden

Cilantro doesn’t transplant well because of its taproot.
 
So when you plant cilantro in fall, sow the seeds straight into the ground or a container.
 
Scatter them thinly and cover with about a quarter inch of soil.
 
Keep the area moist until seedlings emerge.
 

2. Pick a Spot With Partial Shade

Even in fall, a spot that gets full afternoon sun can still get hot in many regions.
 
Choose a location that gets morning sun and some afternoon shade.
 
This helps you plant fall cilantro without worrying about sudden heat spikes stressing the seedlings.
 

3. Water Consistently but Gently

Cilantro likes evenly moist soil, not soggy roots.
 
Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall.
 
A light mulch of straw or shredded leaves helps hold moisture and keeps soil temperatures steady.
 
This is especially helpful when you plant cilantro in fall and the weather swings between warm days and cool nights.
 

4. Succession Sow Every 2 to 3 Weeks

If you want a steady supply, don’t plant all your cilantro at once.
 
Instead, plant fall cilantro in small batches every two to three weeks through early fall.
 
That way, if one round bolts or gets hit by an early frost, you’ve got backups coming along.
 

Regional Timing Tips for Planting Fall Cilantro

Your exact planting date for fall cilantro depends a lot on where you garden.
 
Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Cooler Northern Zones

If your first frost arrives in early October, plant cilantro in fall by mid-August.
 
That gives the plants about six weeks to size up before cold nights slow growth.
 
You may also want to use a row cover or cold frame to stretch the harvest into November.
 

2. Mild Temperate Zones

In regions where frost shows up in November, you can plant fall cilantro from early September through early October.
 
The longer warm spell means faster growth, but watch for surprise heat waves that could trigger bolting.
 

3. Warm Southern Zones

If winters are mild and frost is rare, fall is actually the prime season for cilantro.
 
You can plant cilantro in fall from October all the way into November, and it’ll grow happily through the cool months.
 
In these areas, fall-planted cilantro often outperforms spring plantings by a wide margin.
 

So, When to Plant Fall Cilantro?

Fall cilantro should be planted in late summer to early fall, generally 6 to 8 weeks before your first frost.
 
Timing it right lets you take advantage of warm soil for germination and cool air for steady leaf growth.
 
Just remember to sow seeds directly, keep the soil moist, and succession plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest.
 
Whether you garden in a chilly northern zone or a balmy southern one, planting cilantro in fall is one of the easiest wins in the herb garden.