Field guide
When to plant cilantro in USDA Zones 1–4
In USDA Zones 1–4, the planner’s broad outdoor planting window for cilantro runs from May to June, with a second window from August. Cilantro takes 21–35 days from planting to first harvest.
Open plannerPlanting calendar for USDA Zones 1–4
- Spring planting
- May to June
- Fall planting
- August
- Days to harvest
- 21–35 days
- Water needs
- medium
What USDA Zones 1–4 do—and do not—tell you
These zones span average annual extreme minimum temperatures of roughly -60°F to -20°F. That is useful climate context, but it does not determine your exact frost dates. Check a local forecast or county Extension calendar before planting tender crops.
Succession planting: Plant every 2-3 weeks — bolts quickly in heat
How to know when to harvest
- Leaves are full and lacy, plant is 4-6 inches tall
- Harvest before the stem elongates and flowers appear
- Once it bolts, let it flower and collect coriander seeds instead
Want a plan that accounts for your crops, growing method, equipment, and plant conditions? Open the free planner for a daily crop checklist and adaptive harvest forecast.
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