How to grow cilantro / coriander
Coriandrum sativum · Apiaceae · Herb
When to plant cilantro / coriander: the short answer
Sow outdoors about 2 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 9 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 80°F, fastest near 65°F.
Cold winters (zone 5): sow Apr 11 – Apr 30, or sow Jul 24 – Aug 10 for a fall crop. Mild winters (zone 9): sow Sep 18 – Oct 5 for fall and winter harvests; the spring window (Feb 1 – Feb 20) closes before the summer heat. Skip the hottest months for cilantro / coriander. See every zone.
Cilantro / Coriander is a cool-season herb in the Apiaceae family, almost always sown straight into the ground where it will grow. It wants full sun, though it tolerates a little afternoon shade in hot regions and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 45–70 days. It shrugs off a light frost but a hard freeze will damage it.
Grower’s note: Bolts to seed the moment it is hot - there is no fixing a heat-stressed plant, only resowing. Sow every 2-3 weeks in spring and fall. Let a late planting flower for coriander seed and pollinators.
Sowing
Sow about 0.5″ deep, into soil between 40–80°F — germination is quickest near 65°F. Germination takes a week or two (7–14 days). It does not transplant well, so sow it in its final position rather than starting it in pots.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 4″ along the row with roughly 12″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 9 per square foot. Allow at least 10″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 8″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
As a cool-season crop, cilantro / coriander does its best growing in the mild weather of spring and fall and tends to bolt or turn bitter in summer heat. A second sowing in late summer, timed to mature as the weather cools, is usually the better crop of the year — though a hard freeze will end it.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long cilantro / coriander takes to grow
From sowing to first harvest takes roughly 45-70 days (6-10 weeks), with seedlings appearing after 7-14 days in soil around 65°F.
When to plant cilantro / coriander
When to plant cilantro / coriander by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Fall or second sowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | - | Apr 26 – May 15 | Jul 4 – Jul 21 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | - | Apr 21 – May 10 | Jul 14 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | - | Apr 11 – Apr 30 | Jul 24 – Aug 10 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | - | Mar 27 – Apr 15 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | - | Mar 17 – Apr 5 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | - | Mar 1 – Mar 20 | Aug 24 – Sep 10 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | - | Feb 1 – Feb 20 | Sep 18 – Oct 5 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | - | Jan 11 – Jan 30 | Oct 3 – Oct 20 |
Compare with the other herbs: when to plant herbs, by zone.
Companions
Spinach, Pea, Bush Bean
Dill
Common problems
Pests: aphids, armyworm.
Diseases & disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial leaf spot, damping off.
Same family (Apiaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant cilantro / coriander?
Sow outdoors about 2 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 9 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 80°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long does cilantro / coriander take to grow?
About 45-70 days from sowing to the first harvest. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days, fastest in soil around 65°F.
How much sun does cilantro / coriander need?
It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough.
What soil pH does cilantro / coriander need?
A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant cilantro / coriander?
Space plants about 4 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, or 9 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep.
Can I grow cilantro / coriander in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 8 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.