When to plant cilantro in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPR

Start indoors Feb 28 · Sow Feb 28 · First harvest Mar 21 · Wrap by Apr 18

Last spring frostFeb 28

Start seeds indoorsFeb 28

Direct sowFeb 28

First harvestMar 21

Last harvestApr 18

Fall succession sowOct 19

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 19 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cilantro take to grow in zone 9a?

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Feb 28 and first picking around Mar 21.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of cilantro in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 19 for a second harvest before frost.

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