Cilantro is an annual culinary herb, grown for the flavor it brings to the kitchen, ready to harvest about 50 days after planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 2 through 11 and stands up to deer. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees, even though the harvest is the prize. As a member of the carrot family, give it a fresh bed each year — away from where its relatives just grew — so the soil-borne pests and diseases of the family never get a foothold.
Zones
2-11
pH Range
4-8
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
50
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What Cilantro is
Cilantro grows as an annual and reaches around two feet at maturity. It blooms white in summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Cilantro
Cilantro grows in USDA zones 2 through 11 and is ready to harvest about 50 days after planting. Cilantro does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4 to 8, on well-drained ground. It needs around 700 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 35 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
2-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4 - 8
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
39.2°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
50 days
Cilantro; bolts fast — succession every 10-14d in heat.
OSU-PNW; Johnny's
GDD Required
700+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
2 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
35+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant cilantro in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Cilantro prefers pH 4 to 8 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Cilantro is ready about 50 days after planting (OSU-PNW; Johnny's). Snip sprigs as you need them — regular cutting keeps the foliage tender and slows it bolting to flower.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — cilantro isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Cilantro offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Cilantro thrives
On hardiness alone, cilantro grows across most of the country — its range (USDA zones 2 through 11) is unusually wide. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 2–11·Where Cilantro growsOpen map →
Continental US shown — Alaska and US Pacific territories sit outside the federal map's polygon dataset.
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Cilantro can grow in these states:
See if Cilantro will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether cilantro actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Cilantro in my zone?
Cilantro grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Cilantro take to grow?
Cilantro is ready to harvest about 50 days after planting (OSU-PNW; Johnny's). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Cilantro?
Most growers plant cilantro after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 35-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Cilantro need?
Cilantro needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Cilantro need?
Cilantro prefers soil pH 4 to 8, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Cilantro attract pollinators?
Yes — cilantro's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Cilantro safe for pets?
Cilantro is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.