When to plant cilantro in zone 7a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 7A

Growing SeasonZone 7a

Last frost ~Apr 15First frost ~Oct 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUN

Start indoors Apr 15 · Sow Apr 15 · First harvest May 6 · Wrap by Jun 3

Last spring frostApr 15

Start seeds indoorsApr 15

Direct sowApr 15

First harvestMay 6

Last harvestJun 3

Fall succession sowSep 13

First fall frostOct 25

Why these dates work in zone 7a

Zone 7a's last spring frost averages Apr 15 and first fall frost Oct 25 — about 193 frost-free days. Cilantro tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 0 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Sep 13 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cilantro take to grow in zone 7a?

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 7a that means sowing around Apr 15 and first picking around May 6.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 7a?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 7a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 25).

Can I plant a second crop of cilantro in zone 7a?

Yes — in zone 7a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 13 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full cilantro growing guide →