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When to Plant Cilantro in Cass County, MO

Cilantro is a dual-purpose herb providing fresh leaves (cilantro) and dried seeds (coriander). It bolts quickly in heat, producing flowers beloved by beneficial insects.

Cass County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 910 feet, Cass County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season.

Cass County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 317 gal / 100 sq ft
Cilantro needs ~762 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, MO

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jul 21

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Cass County

Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather. Harvest leaves before flowering or allow some plants to go to seed for coriander and self-sowing.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Cass County, MO?

Cass County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, MO?

Cass County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cass County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cass County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.