When to plant cilantro in zone 9b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9B

Growing SeasonZone 9b

Last frost ~Feb 15First frost ~Dec 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPR

Start indoors Feb 15 · Sow Feb 15 · First harvest Mar 8 · Wrap by Apr 5

Last spring frostFeb 15

Start seeds indoorsFeb 15

Direct sowFeb 15

First harvestMar 8

Last harvestApr 5

Fall succession sowOct 29

First fall frostDec 10

Why these dates work in zone 9b

Zone 9b's last spring frost averages Feb 15 and first fall frost Dec 10 — about 298 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 29 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Cilantro matures in about 21–28 days from sowing. In zone 9b that means sowing around Feb 15 and first picking around Mar 8.

Will cilantro survive frost in zone 9b?

Yes — cilantro tolerates light frost. In zone 9b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 10).

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

Yes — in zone 9b there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 29 for a second harvest before frost.

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