When to plant cilantro in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAY

Start indoors Mar 15 · Sow Mar 15 · First harvest Apr 5 · Wrap by May 3

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsMar 15

Direct sowMar 15

First harvestApr 5

Last harvestMay 3

Fall succession sowOct 4

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 Oct 4 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Mar 15 and first picking around Apr 5.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

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

Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 4 for a second harvest before frost.

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