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The best time to plant cilantro in Arizona is during the cooler months, specifically from September through March in the low desert regions.
If you’ve been wondering when to plant cilantro in Arizona, the answer largely depends on where you live in the state.
Cilantro loves cool weather and bolts quickly in heat, so timing your planting around Arizona’s temperature swings is everything.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly when to plant cilantro in Arizona, how to keep it from bolting, and the best techniques for a continuous harvest.
Let’s dig in.
When to Plant Cilantro in Arizona
When you plant cilantro in Arizona, the goal is to avoid the brutal summer heat and the freezing winter nights.
The ideal planting windows vary depending on your specific region.
1. Low Desert (Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma)
In the low desert, plant cilantro from late September through early March.
October and February are the sweet spots when soil temperatures stay between 55°F and 70°F.
If you plant cilantro in Arizona during these months, you’ll get lush, leafy growth for weeks.
Avoid planting in April through August because the heat will cause your cilantro to bolt almost immediately.
2. High Desert (Prescott, Flagstaff, Sedona)
In higher elevations, when to plant cilantro in Arizona shifts a bit later in spring and earlier in fall.
Plant from mid-April through May, then again from late August through September.
Flagstaff’s cooler summers mean you can sometimes stretch cilantro planting into June if you provide afternoon shade.
3. Transition Zones (Kingman, Payson, Sierra Vista)
These areas fall somewhere in between, so you can plant cilantro in Arizona from March through April and September through November.
Watch your local frost dates because a late freeze can wipe out young seedlings.
How to Plant Cilantro in Arizona Successfully
Knowing when to plant cilantro in Arizona is only half the battle.
How you plant it matters just as much.
1. Start from Seed, Not Transplants
Cilantro has a taproot that hates being disturbed.
Direct sowing is the best approach when you plant cilantro in Arizona.
Scatter seeds lightly, cover with a quarter inch of soil, and keep the area moist until germination.
2. Use Succession Planting
To enjoy cilantro all season, plant a new batch every two to three weeks.
This staggered approach means when one patch bolts, another is ready to harvest.
It’s the smartest way to keep cilantro coming when you plant cilantro in Arizona.
3. Choose the Right Spot
Cilantro prefers full sun in winter but needs afternoon shade in spring and fall.
If you plant cilantro in Arizona near a west-facing wall, the reflected heat will speed up bolting.
A spot with morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal.
4. Amend Your Soil
Arizona soil is often alkaline and rocky.
Before you plant cilantro in Arizona, work in plenty of compost to improve drainage and fertility.
Cilantro likes soil pH between 6.2 and 6.8, so adding organic matter helps balance things out.
Tips to Keep Cilantro from Bolting in Arizona
Bolting is the biggest frustration for anyone trying to grow cilantro in Arizona.
Once the plant sends up a flower stalk, the leaves turn bitter and the harvest ends.
1. Water Consistently
Dry soil stresses cilantro and triggers bolting.
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially on warm days.
A drip irrigation system helps maintain consistent moisture when you plant cilantro in Arizona.
2. Harvest Often
Regular cutting encourages new leaf growth and delays flowering.
Snip outer stems first and leave the inner leaves to keep growing.
The more you harvest, the longer your cilantro will stay productive.
3. Provide Shade Cloth
If temperatures spike unexpectedly, drape a 30% shade cloth over your cilantro.
This simple step can buy you a few extra weeks of harvest.
It’s a lifesaver when you plant cilantro in Arizona during shoulder seasons.
4. Plant Slow-Bolt Varieties
Varieties like ‘Santo’ and ‘Calypso’ are bred to resist bolting.
These are excellent choices when you plant cilantro in Arizona, especially if your garden gets warm early.
So, When to Plant Cilantro in Arizona?
The best time to plant cilantro in Arizona is from September through March in the low desert and mid-April through May in the high country.
By timing your planting with the cooler seasons, amending your soil, and harvesting regularly, you can enjoy fresh cilantro for months.
So whether you’re in Phoenix, Flagstaff, or somewhere in between, now you know exactly when to plant cilantro in Arizona for a thriving herb garden.