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When to plant Cilantro in Broward County, FL

The best window to plant Cilantro in Broward County, is December 11–January 1, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits January 1; first frost December 31. A second sowing from November 5 to November 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cilantro in Broward County, FL

Cilantro
Broward County, Florida Zone 11a June

Broward County, Florida gardeners: here's your June plan

A quick June briefing for Broward County, Florida gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Soil temp (4") 89°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Survive, don't thrive

    June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.

  2. Start fall tomato seeds indoors

    Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.

  3. Add compost to empty beds

    Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.

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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.

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and the first fall frost is December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

At an elevation of 209 feet, Broward County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Cilantro will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Broward County, FL (Zone 11a) Year-round
365 days
Last Spring Frost No frost
365 growing days
First Fall Frost No frost

Broward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Soil Compatibility in Broward County

How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.0) is more acidic than Cilantro prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Broward County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Cilantro will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cilantro.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.5%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Cilantro.

How to Plant Cilantro

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Cilantro Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cilantro

Cilantro needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cilantro Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 10.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Broward County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cilantro Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cilantro needs ~988 GDD — county provides 7,208 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Broward County, FL

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 4 Dec 4 – Dec 18
Transplant Outdoors December 25 Dec 25 – Jan 8
Direct Sow December 11 Dec 11 – Jan 1
Harvest February 5 Feb 5 – Apr 9
Fall Sowing November 5 Nov 5 – Nov 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 11a

📆 Growing Season

365 days in Broward County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Broward County

Sandy soil in Broward County dries quickly — mulch Cilantro with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Broward County reach 93°F — grow Cilantro as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 365.0-day season in Broward County allows multiple plantings of Cilantro. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Cilantro in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

With 61" of annual rainfall in Broward County, ensure good drainage for Cilantro — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Broward County, FL?

Broward County is in Zone 11a with an average last frost of January 1. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Broward County, FL?

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and first fall frost is December 31.

When should I plant Cilantro in Broward County, FL?

In Broward County, FL, plant Cilantro after the last frost (around January 1) and before the first frost (around December 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Broward County, FL for Cilantro?

Broward County sits in USDA Zone 11a. Cilantro grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cilantro grow in Broward County's climate?

Yes — Cilantro grows well in Broward County's temperate climate. Broward County averages a 365-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 1 and first frost around December 31.

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Your Broward County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Broward County (Zone 11a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Broward County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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