When To Plant Cilantro In Seattle

The best time to plant cilantro in Seattle is in early spring or late summer, depending on whether you want a spring or fall harvest.
 
If you’ve been asking when to plant cilantro in Seattle, the short answer is to avoid the heat of summer because cilantro bolts quickly once temperatures climb.
 
Seattle’s mild climate actually gives you two solid planting windows, which is great news for anyone who loves fresh salsa or pho topped with this herb.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly when to plant cilantro in Seattle, how the local climate affects your timing, and a few tips to keep your crop going strong.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

When to Plant Cilantro in Seattle

Cilantro thrives in cool weather, so timing your planting around Seattle’s temperature swings is the key to success.
 

1. Plant in Early Spring for a Late Spring Harvest

The first ideal window for when to plant cilantro in Seattle is from late March through mid-April.
 
Seattle’s soil starts warming up around this time, but the air stays cool enough to keep cilantro from bolting too soon.
 
You can direct sow seeds right into the garden once the risk of a hard freeze has passed.
 

2. Plant Again in Late Summer for a Fall Crop

The second window for when to plant cilantro in Seattle opens up in late August through early September.
 
By this point, the intense summer heat has faded, and the cooler autumn days help cilantro grow without rushing to seed.
 
This fall planting often gives you the most flavorful harvest because the plants grow slowly and steadily.
 

3. Avoid Mid-Summer Planting

If you’re wondering when to plant cilantro in Seattle and you’re in the middle of July, it’s usually best to wait.
 
Cilantro bolts when temperatures consistently hit the 75°F mark or higher.
 
When it bolts, the plant sends up a flower stalk and the leaves turn bitter, which defeats the purpose of growing it for fresh eating.
 

How Seattle’s Climate Affects When to Plant Cilantro

Seattle sits in USDA hardiness zones 8b and 9a, which means mild winters and cool, wet springs.
 
This climate is actually a huge advantage for cilantro growers, but it comes with a few quirks to understand.
 

1. Cool Springs Extend the Growing Window

Because Seattle springs stay cool longer than many other regions, your cilantro won’t bolt as fast as it would in a hotter climate.
 
That means when you plant cilantro in Seattle in early spring, you often get several extra weeks of harvest compared to gardeners in warmer zones.
 

2. Rainy Weather Requires Good Drainage

Seattle’s famous rain can be a problem if your soil doesn’t drain well.
 
Cilantro hates soggy roots, so plant it in raised beds or containers if your garden stays wet.
 
When you plant cilantro in Seattle, mixing in compost helps improve drainage and gives the roots a healthy start.
 

3. Short Daylight Shifts Trigger Bolting

As Seattle days lengthen in late spring and early summer, cilantro senses the change and starts bolting.
 
This is why planting cilantro in Seattle earlier in spring or later in summer works better than a mid-season planting.
 

Tips for Growing Cilantro in Seattle After You Plant It

Once you’ve figured out when to plant cilantro in Seattle, a little care goes a long way toward a great harvest.
 

1. Sow Seeds Every Few Weeks

If you want a continuous supply, plant cilantro in Seattle in small batches every two to three weeks during the cool seasons.
 
This staggered approach means when one patch bolts, another is ready to take its place.
 

2. Choose Slow-Bolt Varieties

Varieties like ‘Calypso’ and ‘Santo’ are bred to resist bolting, which makes them perfect for Seattle’s variable weather.
 
When you plant cilantro in Seattle using these types, you’ll enjoy fresh leaves for a longer stretch.
 

3. Water Consistently but Lightly

Cilantro likes evenly moist soil, not soaking wet roots.
 
Water in the morning so the leaves dry before evening, which helps prevent fungal issues common in Seattle’s humid air.
 

4. Harvest from the Outside In

Snip the outer leaves first and let the center keep growing.
 
This method keeps your cilantro plant productive and delays bolting a bit longer.
 

5. Shade Young Plants in Warm Spells

If an unexpected heatwave hits, a little afternoon shade can save your crop.
 
Plant cilantro in Seattle near taller plants or use a shade cloth to keep things cool.
 

So, When to Plant Cilantro in Seattle?

The best time to plant cilantro in Seattle is in early spring or late summer, when temperatures stay cool and the risk of bolting is low.
 
Seattle’s mild climate gives you two prime windows to grow this herb, and avoiding the summer heat is the secret to a tasty harvest.
 
Whether you’re planting in March, September, or somewhere in between, a little planning goes a long way.
 
Now that you know when to plant cilantro in Seattle, grab some seeds and get growing.