When to Plant Cilantro in Rochester, New York (14607)

Location

Rochester, New York

ZIP Code

14607

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Based on last frost Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · Zone 6b

Pro tip: Sow Cilantro directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Coriandrum sativum

Days to Maturity 45 days

Mature Height 12-24"

Spread 6"

Type Leaf

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Partial Shade to Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular (keep moist)

↔️

Spacing

6" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-10 days

Ready to Plant Cilantro in Rochester?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

AniseTomatoSpinachBean

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Cilantro

See which plants help Cilantro thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Cilantro Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Santo

open-pollinated

Slow-bolting variety that stays leafy longer in warm weather than standard cilantro.

Calypso

open-pollinated

Highly bolt-resistant and high-yielding; ideal for warm climates with long growing seasons.

Leisure

open-pollinated

Large-leaved variety that bolts slowly and regrows well after cutting.

Vietnamese Coriander

species

Heat-loving substitute for true cilantro; peppery flavor, perennial in warm zones.

Common Cilantro Problems

What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.

🐛

Pests

Aphids

Light green aphids cluster on stems and umbels, distorting flowers and reducing seed set.

Fix:

Spray with water or neem oil; tolerate light infestations as cilantro is short-lived anyway.

Caterpillars (Parsley Worm)

Striking green-and-black caterpillar that can strip a cilantro plant quickly.

Fix:

Relocate caterpillars to wild carrot (Queen Anne's Lace) — they become Black Swallowtail butterflies.

🍂

Diseases

Damping Off

Seedlings collapse at the soil line shortly after germination, caused by fungal pathogens in wet soil.

Fix:

Use sterile seed-starting mix; water from below; ensure excellent drainage.

Powdery Mildew

White coating on leaves; common in warm, dry weather with cool nights.

Fix:

Improve airflow; direct-sow in well-spaced rows; apply potassium bicarbonate spray.

💡

Common Mistakes

Sowing a single large batch

Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, leaving you with none after 4–6 weeks.

Fix:

Sow small amounts every 2–3 weeks from early spring through fall for a continuous harvest.

Growing in summer heat

Cilantro bolts immediately in temps above 80°F.

Fix:

Grow in spring and fall; in hot climates, grow in part shade or choose "slow bolt" varieties like Calypso.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let plants bolt fully. Harvest seed heads when they turn brown but before they shatter.

Processing

Cut seed heads into a bag and shake. Dry for 1 week before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Cilantro seed (coriander) is also a culinary spice — you can save the same seeds you'd cook with.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 4 per sq ft of Cilantro. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Rochester, New York? +

In Rochester (Zone 6b), direct sow Cilantro outdoors around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Rochester, New York? +

The average last spring frost date for Rochester, New York (ZIP 14607) is around Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6b.

How long does Cilantro take to grow? +

Cilantro typically matures in about 45 days from direct sowing. In Rochester, that means you can expect harvest around Wednesday, March 18, 2026 plus 45 days.

Should I start Cilantro indoors or direct sow in New York? +

Cilantro does best when direct sown outdoors. In Rochester, sow directly around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

📚 More Cilantro Planting Guides

🗺️

Cilantro in New York

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6b Cilantro Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Cilantro in Zone 6b

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Rochester, New York, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, you should direct sow seeds around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Cilantro grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.