Crops › Cilantro
How to grow Cilantro
in the US
Sow March to September, plant out October, harvest May to November. About 45 days from seed to plate. You can sow it this month.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Cilantro is one of those herbs you either love or hate, but if you're a fan, it's a proper joy to grow yourself. It's part of the Apiaceae family, like carrots, and for the most part, it's pretty easy to get going. You'll find it adds a fresh, zesty flavor to so many dishes, straight from your own backyard.
Sowing
Getting your cilantro started is dead straightforward, whether you're sowing direct or in pots. For most zones, you're looking at sowing from early spring once the danger of the last frost has passed, right through to early summer, and then again in late summer into fall. For instance, folks in USDA Zone 5 can sow from March to May, then again in August and September; while those in Zone 9 might start as early as January and go right up to March, then pick up again in fall. Sow your seeds about half an inch (1-2 cm) deep, either thinly in rows about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart, or scattered for a cut-and-come-again approach. Keep the soil moist, and with a bit of warmth, you'll see seedlings in a week or two. To be honest, the trick to a continuous supply is sowing a small batch every couple of weeks.
Growing on
Cilantro doesn't particularly enjoy its roots being disturbed, so if you're sowing indoors, it's best to use modules or biodegradable pots. That way, you can just plant out the whole thing without too much fuss once the plants are a few inches tall. Space them about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart, giving them room to grow. It does really well in containers too, which is handy if space is a bit tight on your patio or balcony. Just make sure the pot has good drainage, you know what I mean.
Looking after it
Once your cilantro is growing, the main thing is to keep the soil consistently moist, especially in warmer weather. If it dries out, or if the temperatures get too high, it'll likely "bolt," which means it sends up a flower stalk and the leaves turn bitter. You don't need to feed it much; good soil is usually enough. Just keep an eye on it and pick regularly to encourage more growth.
What goes wrong
Like a lot of things on the plot, cilantro can attract a few unwelcome visitors. Aphids are probably the most common pest, gathering on the tender new growth. A good blast of water can often dislodge them, or you could try planting marigolds or nasturtiums nearby to help deter them. Slugs can also be a nuisance, especially when the plants are small, so keep an eye out and use your preferred method to keep them at bay.
Harvest
You'll be ready to start harvesting your cilantro in about 45 days from sowing, which is pretty quick, like I say. The best way is to snip off the outer leaves as you need them; this encourages the plant to produce more. Try to harvest in the mornings when the flavor is at its best. If you've got a proper glut, you can store fresh sprigs in the fridge, much like a bunch of flowers, or you can dry the leaves, though the flavor isn't quite the same.
I've learned to sow little bits of cilantro often, every couple of weeks, rather than one big planting. That way, when one batch bolts, you've always got another coming along, fresh and ready for your cooking.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Santo This is a classic, reliable variety of cilantro that performs well in most conditions. It's a great choice for anyone wanting a steady supply of fresh leaves for their kitchen. | No club votes yet |
| Caribe Caribe is another dependable cilantro that's best started undercover, giving it a bit of a head start. It's known for its good leaf production, perfect for those who use a lot of cilantro. | No club votes yet |
| Calypso Calypso is a cracking outdoor variety that gives you a good harvest of tasty leaves. It's well-suited for direct sowing and provides consistent growth on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Leisure This variety, 'Leisure', is a steady performer that benefits from an undercover start before planting out. It's a solid choice for gardeners looking for a consistent harvest over the season. | No club votes yet |
| Long Standing 'Long Standing' is a fantastic choice if you struggle with cilantro bolting too quickly. It's bred to resist bolting, giving you a longer harvest of those lovely leaves, especially in warmer spells. | No club votes yet |
| Slow Bolt As the name suggests, 'Slow Bolt' is specifically developed to delay bolting, which is a real bonus in warmer climates. Starting it undercover can give it the best possible start before it faces the heat. | No club votes yet |
| Cruiser Cruiser is a hardy cilantro variety that's happy being sown directly into your garden beds. It's a reliable choice for a good, steady supply of leaves throughout the growing season. | No club votes yet |
| Confetti 'Confetti' is a delightful variety that does well when started indoors or in a cold frame. It offers good flavor and is a solid choice for consistent harvests. | No club votes yet |
| Delfino Delfino is a robust outdoor cilantro that provides good yields of aromatic leaves. It's a dependable performer for direct sowing in your backyard. | No club votes yet |
| Jantar Jantar is a reliable cilantro variety that benefits from being sown undercover before transplanting. It produces a good crop of flavorful leaves, making it a good kitchen garden staple. | No club votes yet |
| Marino Marino is an excellent outdoor variety, known for its strong growth and good leaf production. It's a straightforward choice for getting fresh cilantro straight from the plot. | No club votes yet |
| VN Select VN Select is a dependable cilantro that's best started in a protected spot like a cold frame. It's a good all-rounder for getting a consistent harvest of fresh leaves. | No club votes yet |
| Erect Leaf 'Erect Leaf' stands out with its upright growth habit, making harvesting a bit easier. This variety is perfect for direct sowing and can look quite neat in a container too. | No club votes yet |
| Santo Domingo Santo Domingo is another reliable cilantro that gets a good start when sown undercover. It's a solid choice for gardeners looking for a flavorful and steady supply of leaves. | No club votes yet |
| Cilantro del Sol 'Cilantro del Sol' is a cracking outdoor variety, known for its vigorous growth and good tolerance to warmer conditions. It's a great choice for those aiming for a long season of fresh cilantro. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Cilantro seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to August | June to September |
| Zone 4 | April to August | June to September |
| Zone 5 | March to September | May to November |
| Zone 6 | March to September | May to November |
| Zone 7 | February to October | April to December |
| Zone 8 | February to October | April to December |
| Zone 9 | January to November | March to December |
| Zone 10 | September to March | February to December |
Cook the harvest
A rich, creamy peanut sauce infused with fresh cilantro, ginger, garlic, lime, and sriracha — the kind of sauce that transforms everything it touches into something craveable. Blended smooth in minutes, it is equally perfect as a dip for spring rolls and chicken satay, a dressing tossed through noodles, or a drizzle over grilled vegetables. The cilantro gives it a freshness that cuts through the richness of the peanut butter.
10 min · easyA vibrant, cooling green chutney made by blending fresh cilantro with mint, ginger, garlic, green chile, and lime juice into a sauce that is simultaneously herby, spicy, tart, and deeply refreshing. This is the classic accompaniment to samosas, pakoras, and chaat, but it is equally good spread inside a sandwich, drizzled over roasted vegetables, or used as a dipping sauce for grilled meats. It takes less than 5 minutes to make and keeps well in the fridge for a week.
10 min · easyThis vibrant cilantro pesto swaps out basil for a full bunch of fresh cilantro and toasted pepitas instead of pine nuts, resulting in a boldly flavoured, nutty green sauce with a Southwestern edge. Toss it with pasta, spread it on sandwiches, stir it into soup, or use it as a dip — it is endlessly versatile and incredibly quick to make.
10 min · easyFluffy long-grain white rice tossed with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a touch of butter — a simple side that punches well above its effort. Inspired by the Chipotle-style rice that made cilantro lime a household flavor, this version is bright, fragrant, and ready in under 30 minutes. It pairs beautifully with grilled proteins, tacos, burritos, or any Mexican-American spread.
25 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: marigolds, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Cilantro in the US?
Sow Cilantro from March to September in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out October, after the last frost.
How long does Cilantro take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 45 days, with the harvest May to November.
Which Cilantro varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Santo, Caribe, Calypso, Leisure and more.
Track your Cilantro from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.