How To Grow Cilantro In Wisconsin

You can grow cilantro in Wisconsin, and it actually thrives in the cooler stretches of our growing season.
 
Cilantro loves mild weather, which makes Wisconsin a surprisingly good fit if you time your planting right.
 
The tricky part is that cilantro bolts fast once the heat kicks in, so the real secret is working with Wisconsin’s climate instead of against it.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow cilantro in Wisconsin, from picking the right spot to keeping your plants productive all season.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Grow Cilantro in Wisconsin

Growing cilantro in Wisconsin starts with understanding that this herb is a cool-season crop, not a heat-loving one.
 
If you treat it like a tomato and plant it in the middle of July, you’ll be disappointed when it shoots up flowers within days.
 
But if you plant cilantro in Wisconsin at the right time and give it the right conditions, you’ll have more fresh leaves than you know what to do with.
 
Here’s what actually matters when you grow cilantro in Wisconsin.
 

1. Start Early in Spring or Late in Summer

The best time to plant cilantro in Wisconsin is early spring, usually around late April to mid-May, once the soil can be worked.
 
Cilantro germinates well in cool soil, so you don’t need to wait for warm nights like you would with basil.
 
You can also plant another round in late August for a fall harvest, which often tastes even better because the weather cools down again.
 

2. Pick a Spot With Partial Shade

Full sun sounds nice in theory, but in Wisconsin, afternoon sun in June and July can push cilantro to bolt quickly.
 
A spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade keeps the plant cooler and slows down flowering.
 
If you’re growing cilantro in containers, you can simply move them to a shadier spot when the heat arrives.
 

3. Use Well-Draining Soil

Cilantro hates soggy roots, and Wisconsin’s heavy clay soil can hold onto water longer than this herb likes.
 
Mix in compost or peat moss to loosen things up, or grow cilantro in raised beds if your ground stays wet.
 
Good drainage keeps the roots healthy and helps you grow cilantro in Wisconsin without rot issues.
 

Best Cilantro Varieties for Wisconsin Gardens

Not all cilantro is the same, and choosing a slow-bolting variety makes a huge difference in Wisconsin.
 
Here are a few that perform well in our climate.
 

1. ‘Slow Bolt’ Cilantro

This variety, as the name suggests, resists flowering longer than standard cilantro.
 
It’s a favorite for anyone trying to grow cilantro in Wisconsin because it handles warm spells better than most.
 

2. ‘Santo’ Cilantro

Santo is another slow-bolting type with good flavor and strong leaf production.
 
It works well for both spring and fall plantings across Wisconsin.
 

3. ‘Leisure’ Cilantro

Leisure is bred for leaf production rather than seed, so it’s ideal if you want fresh cilantro for salsa and salads.
 
It’s a solid choice for Wisconsin gardeners who want a longer harvest window.
 

Tips to Keep Cilantro Productive in Wisconsin

Once your cilantro is up and running, a few habits keep it going longer than you’d expect.
 

1. Water Consistently

Cilantro likes even moisture, not drought followed by soaking.
 
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and mulch around the base to hold moisture in.
 

2. Harvest Often

The more you snip, the more the plant produces new leaves instead of flowers.
 
Take outer leaves first and leave the center to keep growing.
 

3. Succession Plant Every Few Weeks

Since cilantro bolts no matter what, plant small batches every two to three weeks.
 
This way, when one patch starts flowering, the next is ready to harvest.
 

4. Let Some Bolt on Purpose

Bolting isn’t a failure.
 
The flowers feed pollinators, and the seeds, called coriander, are a bonus spice for your kitchen.
 

So, Can You Grow Cilantro in Wisconsin?

You can grow cilantro in Wisconsin, and with the right timing and a little shade, it rewards you with weeks of fresh leaves.
 
Plant early in spring or again in late summer, choose slow-bolting varieties, and keep the soil evenly moist.
 
Grow cilantro in Wisconsin long enough and you’ll learn that this herb is more forgiving here than most people think.
 
Give it a try this season and you’ll have fresh cilantro for all your summer cooking.