When to plant cilantro in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAY

Start indoors Mar 25 · Sow Mar 25 · First harvest Apr 15 · Wrap by May 13

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsMar 25

Direct sowMar 25

First harvestApr 15

Last harvestMay 13

Fall succession sowSep 29

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 29 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cilantro take to grow in zone 8a?

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Mar 25 and first picking around Apr 15.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

Can I plant a second crop of cilantro in zone 8a?

Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 29 for a second harvest before frost.

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