How to grow cilantro
Bolts quickly in heat; sow every two weeks in spring and again in fall.
Your cilantro dates
Companions
Keep apart from
Rotation and family
Cilantro belongs to the herbs (Lamiaceae / Apiaceae). Small footprint; many attract pollinators and predatory insects.
It can fill gaps in any bed of your rotation.
Sow a fresh batch every 14 days for a steady supply. The succession planting calculator lists the dates.
When to plant cilantro by zone
| Zone | Sow / plant out | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | May 6 – Jun 17 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| 4 | Apr 28 – Jun 9 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| 5 | Apr 16 – May 28 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| 6 | Apr 6 – May 18 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| 7 | Mar 25 – May 6 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| 8 | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| 9 | Feb 8 – Mar 22 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| 10 | Jan 18 – Mar 1 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Cilantro questions
When should I plant cilantro?
Plant cilantro outdoors 2 weeks before your last spring frost. For a fall crop, sow about 10 weeks before your first fall frost.
How far apart should I plant cilantro?
About 4 inches apart, or 9 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with cilantro?
Traditional companions include bush bean, spinach, tomato. Keep it away from fennel.
How long does cilantro take to grow?
Typically 40–55 days from sowing to first harvest, depending on variety and weather.