When To Plant Fall Cilantro

Fall cilantro should be planted in late summer to early fall, typically from August through September, depending on your growing zone.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to plant fall cilantro so you can enjoy fresh leaves before the frost arrives, the timing really comes down to soil temperature and the number of cool days your plant will get before winter.
 
Cilantro loves cool weather, which is exactly why fall is one of the best times to grow it in most regions.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through when to plant fall cilantro, how to time it right for your climate, and the simple tricks that keep your fall cilantro from bolting too soon.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

When to Plant Fall Cilantro

When to plant fall cilantro depends mostly on where you live and when your first frost usually shows up.
 
The rule of thumb is to plant fall cilantro about 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost date.
 
That window gives your cilantro enough cool, mild days to germinate and grow without getting scorched by summer heat or zapped by an early freeze.
 
Here’s how that timing breaks down by region:
 

1. Cooler Northern Climates

If you garden in a northern climate with early frosts, fall cilantro should go in the ground around late July to mid-August.
 
In these areas, the window for planting fall cilantro is narrow because frost can arrive as early as late September or October.
 
Planting fall cilantro in August gives your crop just enough time to produce tender leaves before the cold settles in.
 

2. Temperate and Mid-Atlantic Zones

In temperate zones, when to plant fall cilantro usually means aiming for late August through early September.
 
These regions enjoy milder autumns, so fall cilantro planted in this window often keeps producing well into November.
 
If you’re in a spot with a long, gentle fall, you can even stagger your plantings of fall cilantro every two weeks for a steady harvest.
 

3. Warm Southern Climates

Gardeners in the South get the longest season for fall cilantro.
 
When to plant fall cilantro in these warm regions often means waiting until October or even early November.
 
The summer heat is still too intense in September down there, and planting fall cilantro too early just leads to bolting and bitter leaves.
 
Once the nights cool off, your fall cilantro will thrive right through the mild winter.
 

4. Using Soil Temperature as Your Guide

Beyond frost dates, the most reliable signal for when to plant fall cilantro is soil temperature.
 
Cilantro germinates best when the soil sits between 55°F and 70°F.
 
If your soil is still baking above 85°F, your fall cilantro seeds will struggle to sprout.
 
A cheap soil thermometer takes the guesswork out of when to plant fall cilantro and helps you nail that sweet spot every time.
 

How to Plant Fall Cilantro Successfully

Knowing when to plant fall cilantro is only half the battle.
 
How you plant fall cilantro matters just as much if you want a healthy, flavorful harvest.
 
Here are the key steps that make fall cilantro planting smooth and rewarding:
 

1. Sow Seeds Directly

Fall cilantro doesn’t transplant well because of its long taproot.
 
Sow your fall cilantro seeds directly into the garden bed or a pot where they’ll grow to maturity.
 
Scatter the seeds lightly and cover them with about a quarter inch of soil.
 

2. Keep the Soil Consistently Moist

Fall cilantro seeds need steady moisture to germinate, and dry soil will stall the process.
 
Water gently every day until you see sprouts, which usually takes 7 to 10 days for fall cilantro.
 
A light layer of mulch helps lock in moisture and keeps the soil cool.
 

3. Give It Partial Shade in Hot Spells

Even in fall, an unexpected heat wave can stress your fall cilantro.
 
A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade keeps fall cilantro happy and slows bolting.
 
If you’re planting fall cilantro in a warmer zone, shade is almost essential during the first few weeks.
 

4. Fertilize Lightly

Fall cilantro isn’t a heavy feeder, so too much nitrogen actually makes it bolt faster.
 
A light dose of balanced fertilizer at planting is plenty for fall cilantro.
 
After that, just let the cool weather do its job.
 

Why Fall Cilantro Is Worth Planting

Fall cilantro often tastes better than spring-planted cilantro because the cooler weather slows bolting.
 
When you get the timing right for fall cilantro, you’re rewarded with tender stems and fragrant leaves for weeks.
 
Fall cilantro also attracts beneficial insects and pairs beautifully with cool-season crops like lettuce and spinach.
 
And since cilantro bolts quickly in heat, planting fall cilantro lets you finally enjoy a long, steady harvest instead of a rushed one.
 
Many gardeners find that fall cilantro outperforms their spring crop in both flavor and yield.
 

So, When to Plant Fall Cilantro?

Fall cilantro should be planted in late summer to early fall, roughly 6 to 8 weeks before your first frost.
 
The exact timing for when to plant fall cilantro shifts with your climate, from late July in the North to November in the South.
 
Watch your soil temperature, sow fall cilantro seeds directly, and keep the bed evenly moist.
 
Do that, and you’ll be snipping fresh, fragrant fall cilantro leaves long after summer gardens have faded.