When to Plant Cilantro in Fox River Grove, Illinois (60021)

Location

Fox River Grove, Illinois

ZIP Code

60021

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Based on last frost Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Zone 5b

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 Fox River Grove?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, March 28, 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 Fox River Grove, Illinois? +

In Fox River Grove (Zone 5b), direct sow Cilantro outdoors around Saturday, March 28, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Fox River Grove, Illinois? +

The average last spring frost date for Fox River Grove, Illinois (ZIP 60021) is around Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5b.

How long does Cilantro take to grow? +

Cilantro typically matures in about 45 days from direct sowing. In Fox River Grove, that means you can expect harvest around Saturday, March 28, 2026 plus 45 days.

Should I start Cilantro indoors or direct sow in Illinois? +

Cilantro does best when direct sown outdoors. In Fox River Grove, sow directly around Saturday, March 28, 2026.

📚 More Cilantro Planting Guides

🗺️

Cilantro in Illinois

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5b Cilantro Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Fox River Grove

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Cilantro in Zone 5b

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Fox River Grove, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should direct sow seeds around Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Cilantro grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.