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When to plant · 202 cities · zones 8a–11a

When to plant cilantro in California

Direct sow cilantro around Jan 24 — the California statewide median, counted from a last spring frost of Feb 7 across 1,426 ZIP codes and 311 NOAA stations.

Jan 24Direct sowDec 22 – Apr 20 across the state
Feb 7Last spring frostmedian · 1 in 10 years after Mar 12
Mar 10First harvest45 days from sow

The rule: Direct sow in 60–70 °F soil, a short row every two weeks from four weeks before the last frost until the heat arrives, then again from late summer.

Build a plan from your ZIP →California frost dates by city →

California cilantro, by step

Statewide median last frost Feb 7, first fall frost Dec 7, 2027 season. Each cultivar's own indoor lead time and days to maturity, same engine as the Plan Builder.

CultivarStart indoorsSowFirst harvestDays
CilantroSlow Bolt (Coriandrum sativum)Direct sowJan 24Mar 1045 from sow

Tight means first harvest lands within two weeks of the median first fall frost. Statewide dates are the ZIP-weighted median of every NOAA 1991–2020 station California's ZIP codes resolve to; 375 of 1,801 ZIPs have no datable freeze and are left out.

Cilantro in California, city by city

Cilantro, scheduled from each city's nearest NOAA station — the same dates as its frost page.

CityLast frostSowFirst harvest
Los Angeleszone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
San Diegozone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
San Josezone 9bJan 2Dec 19Feb 2
Fresnozone 9bJan 14Dec 31Feb 14
Sacramentozone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Long Beachzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Oaklandzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Bakersfieldzone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Anaheimzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Stocktonzone 9bFeb 5Jan 22Mar 8
Riversidezone 10aJan 9Dec 26Feb 9
Irvinezone 10aJan 5Dec 22Feb 5
Santa Anazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Chula Vistazone 10bJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Santa Claritazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
Fremontzone 10aJan 1Dec 18Feb 1
San Bernardinozone 10aMay 5Apr 21Jun 5
Modestozone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Fontanazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Moreno Valleyzone 9bJan 10Dec 27Feb 10
Oxnardzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Huntington Beachzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Glendalezone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
Ontariozone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Elk Grovezone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 5
Santa Rosazone 9aFeb 25Feb 11Mar 28
Rancho Cucamongazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Garden Grovezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Oceansidezone 10aJan 23Jan 9Feb 23
Lancasterzone 8aApr 3Mar 20May 4
Rosevillezone 9bFeb 25Feb 11Mar 28
Palmdalezone 8bMar 10Feb 24Apr 10
Coronazone 10aJan 17Jan 3Feb 17
Salinaszone 9bJan 29Jan 15Mar 1
Haywardzone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 2
Sunnyvalezone 10aJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Escondidozone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 2
Pomonazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
Visaliazone 9bJan 23Jan 9Feb 23
Victorvillezone 8bMar 18Mar 4Apr 18
Fullertonzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Torrancezone 10bJan 9Dec 26Feb 9
Orangezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Pasadenazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
Santa Clarazone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Cloviszone 9bJan 14Dec 31Feb 14
Simi Valleyzone 10aJan 24Jan 10Feb 24
Thousand Oakszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Concordzone 9bJan 9Dec 26Feb 9
Vallejozone 9bMar 5Feb 19Apr 5
Fairfieldzone 9bJan 15Jan 1Feb 15
Berkeleyzone 10aJan 3Dec 20Feb 3
Antiochzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Menifeezone 9bJan 28Jan 14Feb 28
Richmondzone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Carlsbadzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Murrietazone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 5
Temeculazone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 5
Santa Mariazone 9bFeb 4Jan 21Mar 7
San Buenaventura (Ventura)zone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Downeyzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Costa Mesazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Jurupa Valleyzone 10aJan 9Dec 26Feb 9
West Covinazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
Rialtozone 10aJan 10Dec 27Feb 10
El Montezone 10bJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Vacavillezone 9bFeb 18Feb 4Mar 21
Burbankzone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 2
El Cajonzone 10aJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
San Mateozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Chicozone 9bMar 4Feb 18Apr 4
Inglewoodzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Hesperiazone 8bMay 5Apr 21Jun 5
Daly Cityzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Tracyzone 9bJan 19Jan 5Feb 19
Vistazone 10aJan 30Jan 16Mar 2
Norwalkzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
San Marcoszone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 2
Mercedzone 9aMar 3Feb 17Apr 3
Mantecazone 9bFeb 6Jan 23Mar 9
Indiozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Chinozone 9bJan 17Jan 3Feb 17
Reddingzone 9aMar 3Feb 17Apr 3
Hemetzone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Mission Viejozone 10bJan 5Dec 22Feb 5
Carsonzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Comptonzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
South Gatezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Santa Monicazone 11afrost rareJan 1Feb 15
Westminsterzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Folsomzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Mountain Viewzone 9bJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Santa Barbarazone 10bJan 13Dec 30Feb 13
Lake Forestzone 10bJan 5Dec 22Feb 5
Citrus Heightszone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
San Leandrozone 10aJan 7Dec 24Feb 7
San Ramonzone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Mar 18
Whittierzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Livermorezone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Mar 18
Rancho Cordovazone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Hawthornezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Perriszone 9bJan 10Dec 27Feb 10
Redwood Cityzone 10aJan 17Jan 3Feb 17
Newport Beachzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Buena Parkzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Alhambrazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Milpitaszone 10aJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Uplandzone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Tustinzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Alamedazone 10aJan 7Dec 24Feb 7
Lakewoodzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Chino Hillszone 10aJan 17Jan 3Feb 17
Pittsburgzone 9bJan 9Dec 26Feb 9
Napazone 9bFeb 12Jan 29Mar 15
Bellflowerzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Pleasantonzone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Mar 18
Rocklinzone 9bFeb 25Feb 11Mar 28
Apple Valleyzone 8bMar 18Mar 4Apr 18
Redlandszone 10aJan 27Jan 13Feb 27
Lake Elsinorezone 9bJan 28Jan 14Feb 28
Turlockzone 9bJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Tularezone 9bJan 23Jan 9Feb 23
Walnut Creekzone 9bMar 8Feb 22Apr 8
Eastvalezone 10aJan 17Jan 3Feb 17
Dublinzone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Mar 18
Camarillozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Baldwin Parkzone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Yuba Cityzone 9bFeb 11Jan 28Mar 14
Maderazone 9bFeb 12Jan 29Mar 15
Lodizone 9bFeb 9Jan 26Mar 12
Redondo Beachzone 11afrost rareJan 1Feb 15
Palo Altozone 9bFeb 1Jan 18Mar 4
Daviszone 9bFeb 10Jan 27Mar 13
Yorba Lindazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Brentwoodzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Union Cityzone 9bJan 2Dec 19Feb 2
South San Franciscozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Laguna Niguelzone 10bJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Lynwoodzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Portervillezone 9bFeb 20Feb 6Mar 23
Woodlandzone 9bFeb 7Jan 24Mar 10
San Clementezone 10bJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Santa Cruzzone 9bJan 29Jan 15Mar 1
La Habrazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Encinitaszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
La Mesazone 10bJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Montebellozone 10bJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Hanfordzone 9aFeb 7Jan 24Mar 10
Gilroyzone 9bFeb 24Feb 10Mar 27
San Rafaelzone 10aJan 11Dec 28Feb 11
Beaumontzone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Petalumazone 9bFeb 28Feb 14Mar 31
Pico Riverazone 10bJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Santeezone 10aJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Gardenazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Cupertinozone 9bMar 21Mar 7Apr 21
National Cityzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Monterey Parkzone 10bJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Highlandzone 10aJan 27Jan 13Feb 27
Lincolnzone 9aFeb 25Feb 11Mar 28
Fountain Valleyzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
West Sacramentozone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 5
San Jacintozone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Arcadiazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Yucaipazone 9bJan 27Jan 13Feb 27
Coltonzone 10aJan 10Dec 27Feb 10
Placentiazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Delanozone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Palm Desertzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Cathedral Cityzone 10aJan 9Dec 26Feb 9
Novatozone 9bJan 11Dec 28Feb 11
Diamond Barzone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
Huntington Parkzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Watsonvillezone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Paramountzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Aliso Viejozone 10bJan 6Dec 23Feb 6
Glendorazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
San Luis Obispozone 9bJan 16Jan 2Feb 16
Rosemeadzone 10bJan 4Dec 21Feb 4
Powayzone 10aMar 4Feb 18Apr 4
Cypresszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Cereszone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 3
Covinazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Feb 8
Los Banoszone 9aJan 26Jan 12Feb 26
Azusazone 10aApr 28Apr 14May 29
Breazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Oakleyzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Feb 12
Cerritoszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
La Miradazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Rancho Santa Margaritazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 3
Newarkzone 10aJan 1Dec 18Feb 1
Morgan Hillzone 9bFeb 24Feb 10Mar 27
Palm Springszone 10aJan 9Dec 26Feb 9
Coachellazone 10aFeb 7Jan 24Mar 10
Hollisterzone 9bFeb 19Feb 5Mar 22
Rohnert Parkzone 9aFeb 28Feb 14Mar 31
El Centrozone 10aJan 3Dec 20Feb 3
Lompoczone 10aJan 20Jan 6Feb 20
Danvillezone 9bMar 8Feb 22Apr 8
Campbellzone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 5
San Brunozone 10aJan 11Dec 28Feb 11
Stantonzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 3

What these cilantro become

Salsa VerdeBlistered tomatillos, serrano, and a fistful of cilantro. Naturally acidic, ready in forty minutes, and it clings to a taco because tomatillos bring their own pectin.Recipe and process →Green ZhougYemeni cilantro-and-serrano relish, raw, ready in fifteen minutes, and violently green. The fastest thing on this site and arguably the most addictive.Recipe and process →

What California cilantro need

SeedsThe cultivar decides the sauce. Everything downstream is damage control.

  • Cilantro / Coriander Seed

    Bolts in a heartbeat and there is nothing you can do about it — so you succession-sow instead of fighting it. Non-negotiable in salsa verde and zhoug.

    Amazon · paid link ↗
StartSoil temperature and light intensity, indoors, weeks before your frost date.

  • Organic Seed Starter Potting MixMust have

    Seed-starting mix is not potting soil with a nicer label — it is finer, lighter, and low in nutrients on purpose, because a seedling's first roots want air and moisture, not fertiliser.

    Amazon · paid link ↗
GrowRoot volume, nutrition and structure. Where most home crops actually fail.

  • Ocean Forest Potting SoilMust have

    Pre-charged with enough nutrition to carry a transplant for its first month without feeding, which is exactly the window when most container plants stall.

    Amazon · paid link ↗

  • 5-Gallon Fabric Grow Bags, 5-Pack

    Fabric pots air-prune roots and drain faster than a plastic pot can, which is the entire reason container tomatoes fail. Five gallons is the honest minimum for a pepper; a tomato wants ten.

    Amazon · paid link ↗
ProtectFrost, hornworms, aphids, and the fungal pressure that follows a wet July.

  • AG-30 Frost Protection Row Cover

    AG-30 buys roughly 6 °F of frost protection while passing about 70% of light — enough to carry a crop through an early-October cold snap that would otherwise end your season two weeks short.

    Amazon · paid link ↗
HarvestTiming, handling, and weighing what you actually got.

  • 6" Micro-Tip Pruning SnipsMust have

    Ninety percent of sauce-garden cutting is snipping a pepper stem or a basil node, and a fine-tipped snip does it better than any pruner. Pulling peppers by hand tears the branch.

    Amazon · paid link ↗

Paid links. We earn a commission from Amazon if you buy; you pay the same. Disclosure.

Cilantro in California: questions

When should I plant cilantro in California?

Direct sow around Jan 24 at the statewide median; across the state that date runs from Dec 22 in the warmest tenth of California's ZIP codes to Apr 20 in the coldest. To cut the freeze risk to one year in ten, count from Mar 12 instead of the median last frost. Use the city table for your own town.

When is the last frost in California?

The ZIP-weighted median of NOAA 1991–2020 station medians is Feb 7. In the warmest tenth of California's ZIP codes the median last frost falls on or before Jan 5; in the coldest tenth, on or after May 4.

When will California cilantro be ready to harvest?

Cilantro planted on the statewide date is ready around Mar 10: 45 days from sow.

More for California

Cilantro in every state → · California frost dates → · How frost-date math works →