When to Plant Cilantro in USDA Zone 5b
April in the garden — Zone 5b
April rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 5b.
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Get cilantro in the ground
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Seed cilantro outdoors
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
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.
In Zone 5b, the average last spring frost is around April 18 and the first fall frost is around October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
Cilantro Planting Timeline — Zone 5b
Where Is USDA Zone 5b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5b. Click any state to see the Cilantro planting schedule for that location.
Cilantro Planting Calendar — Zone 5b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 11 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Harvest | May 23 | May 23 – Jul 25 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
178 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Cilantro in Zone
Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Cilantro in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~178 days). Start Cilantro indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
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Saving Cilantro Seeds
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Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Related Plants
Cilantro in Other Zones
Cilantro 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
When should I plant Cilantro in Zone 5b?
In Zone 5b, plan your Cilantro planting around the average last frost date of April 18. Start seeds indoors around March 14. Direct sow outdoors around April 4. Transplant seedlings around April 11.
Can Cilantro grow in Zone 5b?
Yes, Cilantro can grow well in Zone 5b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 5b has a growing season of approximately 178 days, which is sufficient for Cilantro (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Cilantro in Zone 5b?
In Zone 5b, expect to harvest Cilantro from May 23 – July 25. Cilantro takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5b is around April 18, and the first fall frost is around October 13. This gives a growing season of approximately 178 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Cilantro?
Good companion plants for Cilantro include Tomatoes, Peppers, Spinach. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.