When to Plant Cilantro in Washington

Growing Cilantro in Washington: Complete Guide

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Washington, the right time to direct sow is around Friday, January 23, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Washington stretches across 9 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 45 days to maturity, Cilantro fits comfortably within Washington's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Cilantro requires partial shade to full sun and regular (keep moist) moisture. The Pacific Northwest's cool, wet springs delay soil warm-up; raised beds and black plastic mulch help jump-start the season.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Washington.