Blog

When to plant Cilantro in Stuart, FL

In Zone 10b (Stuart), direct-sow Cilantro between January 4 and January 25 for spring, after the January 25 last-frost mark. A second sowing from October 18 to November 1 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cilantro in Stuart, FL

Cilantro
Martin County, Florida Zone 10b August

August in the garden — Martin County, Florida

Each item below is timed to Martin County, Florida's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost January 25
Avg. first frost December 13
Soil temp (4") 96°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13 hrs
  1. Plant fall tomatoes & peppers

    Late August is your fall transplant window. Pick heat-tolerant determinate tomatoes (Heatmaster, Solar Fire, Phoenix). They'll set fruit through fall.

  2. Direct-sow brassicas indoors or in shade

    Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts germinate better in cooler conditions. Start indoors or under shade cloth, transplant in September.

  3. Refresh mulch & drip lines

    Check drip irrigation for clogs (afternoon thunderstorm grit). Top off mulch in all beds before the cool-season crops go in.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Stuart, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 25 and the first fall frost is December 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 322 days.

At an elevation of 80 feet, Martin County receives approximately 56.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 88°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.

Stuart, FL (Zone 10b) Year-round
322 days
Last Spring Frost January 25
322 growing days
First Fall Frost December 13

Stuart Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cilantro Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (230 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 18 Transplant: Jan 8 🍅 Harvest: Feb 19 – Apr 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (224 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 28 Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 1 – May 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (211 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 20 Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: Mar 24 – May 26

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.

Soil Compatibility in Stuart

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–5.7) is more acidic than Cilantro prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Martin 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.

Succession Planting Cilantro

9
successive plantings in your 322-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 18.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Martin 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 ~800 GDD — county provides 5,168 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Stuart, FL

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 28 Dec 28 – Jan 11
Transplant Outdoors January 18 Jan 18 – Feb 1
Direct Sow January 4 Jan 4 – Jan 25
Harvest March 1 Mar 1 – May 3
Fall Sowing October 18 Oct 18 – Nov 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 10b

📆 Growing Season

322 days in Martin County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Stuart

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after January 25 in Martin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Your generous 323.0-day season in Martin 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 56" of annual rainfall in Martin 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 →

When should I plant Cilantro in Stuart, FL?

In Stuart, FL, plant Cilantro after the last frost (around January 25) and before the first frost (around December 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stuart, FL for Cilantro?

Stuart sits in USDA Zone 10b. Cilantro grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cilantro grow in Stuart's climate?

Yes — Cilantro grows well in Stuart's temperate climate. Stuart averages a 323-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 25 and first frost around December 13.

🌱

Your Martin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Martin County (Zone 10b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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