Cumin Planting Guide
Cumin is a warm-season annual herb whose seeds are one of the most widely used spices globally. It requires a long, hot growing season of 3-4 months.
Cuminum cyminum · Herb · Apiaceae family · 100–120 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Cumin Planting Dates
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Where Can You Grow Cumin?
Cumin Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Cumin planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 18 | Aug 1 – Oct 3 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 11 | Jul 25 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 3 | Jul 17 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Mar 27 | Jul 10 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | Jul 1 – Sep 2 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Jun 24 – Aug 26 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 1 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 18 | Jun 3 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 3 | May 19 – Jul 21 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 18 | May 3 – Jul 5 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Apr 9 – Jun 11 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Apr 9 – Jun 11 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Apr 9 – Jun 11 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Apr 9 – Jun 11 |
How to Plant Cumin
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 8
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 5a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
100–120 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Apiaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Apiaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Cumin to Grow
Cumin takes 100–120 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Cumin
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Cumin
Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Transplant after all danger of frost. Harvest when seed heads turn brown. Requires consistent warmth for proper seed development.
Saving Cumin Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Level Up Your Garden
Cumin by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Cumin?
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) takes 100 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Cumin grow in?
Cumin can be grown in USDA zones 5a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Cumin need?
Growing Cumin requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 8.