Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Yes, you can winter sow cilantro, and it’s actually one of the easiest herbs to grow this way.
If you’ve been wondering whether cilantro can handle the cold or if winter sowing cilantro is worth the effort, the answer is a resounding yes.
Cilantro is a cool-season herb that thrives when temperatures are mild, which makes it a perfect candidate for winter sowing.
In this post, we’ll look at why winter sowing cilantro works so well, how to do it step by step, and a few tips to make sure your cilantro thrives when spring arrives.
Why You Can Winter Sow Cilantro
Cilantro loves the cold, and that’s the main reason winter sowing works so well for this herb.
Here’s why cilantro is such a great fit for winter sowing.
1. Cilantro Is a Cool-Season Herb
Cilantro grows best when temperatures are between 50°F and 70°F.
When the heat cranks up in summer, cilantro bolts quickly and turns bitter.
But winter sowing gives cilantro a head start in cool spring weather, so you get more harvest time before the heat arrives.
2. Cilantro Seeds Need Cold Stratification
Cilantro seeds have a tough outer shell that benefits from exposure to cold and moisture.
This natural process, called cold stratification, softens the seed coat and signals to the seed that it’s time to germinate.
When you winter sow cilantro, the freeze-thaw cycles of winter do this work for you naturally.
3. Winter Sowing Mimics Nature
When cilantro drops its seeds in the garden, those seeds sit through winter and sprout on their own in spring.
Winter sowing cilantro in containers copies that same cycle but gives you more control over where your plants end up.
4. Stronger, Healthier Plants
Cilantro that germinates naturally in cool conditions tends to grow sturdier roots and more resilient foliage.
You can winter sow cilantro in milk jugs or clear containers, and those seedlings will be hardened off by the time you plant them out.
How to Winter Sow Cilantro Step by Step
Winter sowing cilantro isn’t complicated, but a few key steps make all the difference.
Here’s how to winter sow cilantro successfully.
1. Choose the Right Container
Clear plastic milk jugs, salad green clamshells, or clear storage bins all work great for winter sowing cilantro.
Just make sure your container has drainage holes in the bottom and a way to vent air at the top.
2. Use a Good Seed-Starting Mix
Fill your container with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix.
Moisten the soil before sowing so the cilantro seeds have consistent moisture from the start.
3. Sow Your Cilantro Seeds
Sprinkle cilantro seeds across the surface of the soil and cover them with about a quarter inch of mix.
Cilantro seeds are actually little seed balls, so you can gently crush them before sowing to increase germination.
4. Water and Seal
Give the container a good watering, then close it up with the lid or tape the jug shut.
Leave a vent open so excess moisture can escape and air can circulate.
5. Place Outside and Wait
Set your container outside in a spot that gets some sun and is protected from harsh winds.
Then let winter do its thing, and watch for cilantro seedlings to appear when the weather warms up in spring.
Tips for Winter Sowing Cilantro Successfully
A few smart tips will help you get the best results when you winter sow cilantro.
1. Sow More Seeds Than You Think You Need
Cilantro germination rates can be hit or miss, so be generous when you winter sow cilantro seeds.
A thicker sowing gives you plenty of seedlings to thin out or transplant later.
2. Don’t Let Containers Dry Out
Even in winter, containers can dry out on sunny days.
Check the soil occasionally and water if it looks dry, but don’t overdo it.
3. Watch for Germination in Early Spring
Cilantro seeds typically sprout when soil temperatures reach around 50°F to 55°F.
Once you see green sprouts, open your container vents wider so the seedlings get plenty of airflow.
4. Transplant When Seedlings Are Ready
When your cilantro seedlings have a few sets of true leaves and the last frost has passed, transplant them into the garden or a larger pot.
Harden them off gradually if your container was sealed up tight.
5. Keep Succession Sowing
Cilantro bolts fast in warm weather, so consider sowing another round indoors or directly in the garden a few weeks after your winter-sown crop.
That way you’ll enjoy fresh cilantro for months instead of just a few weeks.
So, Can You Winter Sow Cilantro?
Yes, you can winter sow cilantro, and it’s one of the best herbs for this lazy-gardener method.
Cilantro loves cool weather, needs cold stratification, and grows stronger when it germinates naturally outdoors.
Just pick a clear container, use good soil, sow generously, and let winter do the work.
By the time spring rolls around, you’ll have a head start on a fresh cilantro harvest without any indoor grow lights or fuss.
Give winter sowing cilantro a try this year, and you might never go back to starting it indoors again.