When To Grow Cilantro Outside

The best time to grow cilantro outside is in the cool weather of spring or fall.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to grow cilantro outside, the short answer is that cilantro loves mild temperatures and bolts quickly in the heat.
 
That’s why timing matters so much when you grow cilantro outside.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly when to grow cilantro outside, how to keep it productive, and a few tricks to stretch your harvest.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

When to Grow Cilantro Outside

You should grow cilantro outside in early spring and again in late summer or early fall.
 
These are the two windows when the weather cooperates and your cilantro can thrive.
 

1. Early Spring Is Prime Time

The best time to grow cilantro outside starts about two to three weeks before your last expected frost.
 
Cilantro seeds germinate well in soil that’s around 55°F to 68°F.
 
As long as the ground isn’t frozen and the danger of a hard freeze has passed, you can sow seeds directly outside.
 
If you grow cilantro outside too late in spring, the plants will bolt as soon as the heat arrives.
 

2. Fall Is the Second Best Window

When to grow cilantro outside again depends on your climate, but fall is often even better than spring in warm regions.
 
About six to eight weeks before your first fall frost, sow your seeds.
 
The cooling days and shorter nights keep cilantro from bolting too fast.
 
In mild climates, you can grow cilantro outside right through winter with just a little protection.
 

3. Avoid the Peak of Summer

Cilantro hates the heat.
 
Once temperatures climb above 75°F, cilantro starts to flower and set seed.
 
That means if you grow cilantro outside in midsummer, you’ll get a short harvest before it goes to seed.
 
So if you must plant in summer, choose a spot with afternoon shade.
 

How to Grow Cilantro Outside Successfully

Knowing when to grow cilantro outside is only half the battle.
 
How you plant and care for it matters just as much.
 

1. Sow Seeds Directly

Cilantro doesn’t transplant well because of its taproot.
 
So when you grow cilantro outside, sow the seeds right where they’ll live.
 
Plant them about a quarter inch deep and keep the soil moist.
 

2. Pick a Spot with Partial Shade

Cilantro enjoys full sun in cool weather but appreciates shade once things warm up.
 
If you grow cilantro outside in a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade, it’ll last longer.
 

3. Water Consistently

Dry soil stresses cilantro and pushes it to bolt.
 
Keep the soil evenly moist, but never soggy.
 
A layer of mulch helps hold moisture when you grow cilantro outside.
 

4. Harvest Often

The more you cut, the more leaves the plant produces.
 
Snip the outer stems first and leave the inner ones to keep growing.
 
Frequent harvesting is one of the easiest ways to delay bolting when you grow cilantro outside.
 

Tips to Keep Cilantro from Bolting

Bolting is the biggest frustration for anyone who grow cilantro outside.
 
Here’s how to slow it down.
 

1. Choose Slow-Bolt Varieties

Some cultivars are bred to resist bolting.
 
Look for “Slow Bolt,” “Santo,” or “Leisure” when you grow cilantro outside.
 

2. Succession Plant Every Few Weeks

Instead of one big planting, sow small batches every two to three weeks.
 
That way, when one patch starts to bolt, the next one is ready to harvest.
 
This is a smart strategy when you grow cilantro outside in spring or fall.
 

3. Shade Cloth Helps in Warm Spells

A simple shade cloth can drop the temperature by several degrees.
 
If a heat wave hits, draping shade cloth over your cilantro can buy you extra time.
 

4. Let Some Plants Go to Seed

If a plant bolts, don’t panic.
 
The seeds, called coriander, are edible and delicious.
 
Plus, self-seeding means new cilantro may pop up on its own next season.
 

So, When to Grow Cilantro Outside?

The best time to grow cilantro outside is in early spring and again in fall when temperatures stay mild.
 
If you’ve been asking when to grow cilantro outside, the answer really comes down to avoiding the heat.
 
Plant in cool weather, water consistently, harvest often, and you’ll enjoy fresh cilantro for weeks.
 
Now you know exactly when to grow cilantro outside, so grab your seeds and get planting.