Plant Cilantro in Zone 12b
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 12b
Zone 12b is effectively frost-free, so the Zone 12b calendar for cilantro is set by heat, not cold. There is no last frost to count backward from and no first frost to beat, which means the question is not whether cilantro will finish but whether it will sit through the hottest stretch of the year. Cilantro is a half-hardy crop needing about 45 days from sowing to harvest.
Planting cilantro for a fall harvest in Zone 12b
Zone 12b has no meaningful frost, so the fall and winter months are the easiest time of year to grow cilantro here. Sow from about October 1 onward.
Cilantro bolts within weeks in summer heat and is far more productive as a fall crop, and in mild zones it runs right through winter.
Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 12b average first frost, not forward from a sowing date. See the fall planting calendar by zone for the full method.
Spring vs fall cilantro in Zone 12b
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Feb 1 | Feb 1 | Mar 18 |
| Fall | Oct onward | Oct onward | Winter |
Cilantro in nearby zones
Further reading on cilantro
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How a cold frame keeps cilantro producing into winter, and when to sow it.
- Growing herbs indoors over winter
Keeping cilantro going on a windowsill or under lights once frost ends it outside.
- Winter sowing guide
Sowing cilantro outdoors in jugs in late winter, with no lights.
Other crops in Zone 12b
Frequently asked questions
When should I start cilantro in Zone 12b?
Direct sow outdoors around Feb 1.
Can I direct sow cilantro in Zone 12b?
Yes, direct sow around Feb 1.
Can I plant cilantro in the fall in Zone 12b?
Zone 12b has no meaningful frost, so the fall and winter months are the easiest time of year to grow cilantro here. Sow from about October 1 onward.
Will cilantro survive frost in Zone 12b?
Cilantro is a half-hardy crop and keeps going roughly 14 days past the first light frost in Zone 12b. A row cover or a straw mulch buys more.