Fast to bolt in heat. Succession sow every 3 weeks through cool weather. Let some plants go to seed — you'll always have a supply, and the seeds (coriander) are a spice in their own right.
Plant window opens
Apr 15
Last chance to plant
Sep 10
Last frost
~May 1
Days to harvest
45–70 days
Difficulty
Easy
Plant now — Zone 4
Harvest: May – Jun, Sep – Oct
Planting Calendar
In Zone 4, Cilantro / Coriander can be planted outdoors from Apr 15 — the window closes around Sep 10.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
plant
too early
too early
plant
plant
plant
plant
plant
plant
plant
too late
too late
too late
harvest
harvest
too early
plant window
harvest
too late
Two seasons. Spring and fall sowings avoid the bolt-inducing heat of midsummer.
Get notified when to plant, water, and harvest your Cilantro / Coriander — personalized for your zone.
What Zone 4 growers say about Cilantro / Coriander
plant team · Zone 4
Notes from real growers will appear here as our community grows. Be the first to share what works in your garden.
Share your own tip for Zone 4 →
Care Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade · 4–8 hrs/day
Watering
Moderate
Spacing
6–8 inches
Soil
Well-draining, light loam
Days to maturity
45–70 days
Soil pH
6.2–6.8
Plant tip · Zone 4
Two seasons. Spring and fall sowings avoid the bolt-inducing heat of midsummer.
How to know it's ready
Pick leaves before flowering. Once it bolts, leaves become lacy and bitter.
Watering Cilantro / Coriander
How often
Every 2–3 days
How much
1 inch per week
Method
Either method
Overwatering signs
Yellowing, root rot
Underwatering signs
Wilting, rapid bolting
Feeding Schedule
How often
once at planting
Feed type
Balanced fertilizer (light)
Key timing
at planting
NPK: 10-10-10 at half strength
Fast-growing and light feeder. One application at sowing is enough. Over-feeding speeds bolting.
Example product: Half-strength fish emulsion
Reminder: every 21 days after feeding
Succession Planting
Sow every 2 weeks
Sow every 2 weeks from spring through autumn. Cilantro is the most determined bolter in the herb garden — it can go from seedling to flower in 3–4 weeks in warm weather. There is no saving a bolted cilantro plant for leaf harvest. The only reliable approach is frequent new sowings. In summer, choose slow-bolt varieties and still expect faster cycling than in spring. Let a few plants go to seed — coriander seed is a useful spice and the plants will self-sow.
Direct
Direct sow — cilantro bolts quickly and dislikes transplanting. Sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Container friendly · Minimum 1 gallons
Good container herb. Deep pots preferred (taproot). At least 8 inches deep.
Bolting risk: high
Triggers: Heat, long days, drought stress
Prevention: Choose slow-bolt varieties (Leisure, Calypso). Plant in cool season. Keep well watered. Succession sow every 2 weeks. Provide shade.
Once bolting starts, harvest all leaves immediately and let it go to coriander seed — equally useful.
Companion Planting for Cilantro / Coriander
What you plant near cilantro / coriander makes a real difference — here's what to plant, when, and why.
Pest deterrent
Tomatoes
Coriander flowers attract predatory wasps
Plant at same time
Structural
Spinach
Compatible cool-season crops
Plant at same time
Keep away from
Fennel— Inhibits germination
Pests & Diseases
Know what to look for before it gets out of hand — early identification is the most important step.
Aphids
pestmedium
What to look for
Clusters of tiny soft insects on new growth and leaf undersides. Leaves curl, yellow, or become sticky with honeydew. Sooty black mold may follow.
Cause
Multiple aphid species. Populations explode rapidly in warm weather.
Organic treatment
Blast off with strong water jet. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil directly to colonies. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings.
Prevention
Plant marigolds and nasturtiums nearby. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer which creates soft, aphid-attractive growth. Encourage beneficial insects.
Carrot fly
pestlow
What to look for
Root damage and wilting. Cilantro and dill are in carrot family and attract same pests.
Cause
Psila rosae. Affects all members of the carrot family.
Organic treatment
Grow under fine insect mesh.
Prevention
Insect mesh. Grow away from carrots and parsnips.
Leaf spot
diseaselow
What to look for
Dark brown spots on leaves. Affected leaves yellow and die.
Cause
Bacterial or fungal leaf spot. Favoured by wet conditions.
Organic treatment
Remove affected leaves. Copper-based fungicide.
Prevention
Water at soil level. Good spacing.
Recommended Varieties
Leisure (slow bolt — the key feature)
Calypso (very slow bolt, high yield)
Confetti (lacy leaves, slow bolt)
Santo (classic, reliable)
Leisure and Calypso are dramatically slower to bolt than standard varieties — the difference is significant in warm gardens.
Cilantro is in the carrot family — avoid following other Apiaceae crops.
Storing Your Harvest
Room temp
3–5 days in a glass of water like flowers
Fridge
1 week in a glass of water in the fridge, covered with a bag
Freezer
Blend with water, freeze in ice cube trays — excellent for curries
Cilantro is one of the most perishable herbs. The water-glass method in the fridge is the most effective.
Free app · Kickstarter October 2027 · iOS February 2028
Know exactly when to plant, prune, and harvest Cilantro / Coriander
plant uses your ZIP code and real frost data to tell you the right day — not just the right month. Get notified when your planting window opens, when to succession sow, and when to cut back for next season.
You're in ✓ — we'll be in touch before launch.
Something went wrong — try again.
Be first to back on Kickstarter · founding grower pricing locked in.
Common questions
In Zone 4, direct sow cilantro / coriander outdoors Apr 15 – May 20, Aug 10 – Sep 10 after your last frost of approximately May 1. Two seasons. Spring and fall sowings avoid the bolt-inducing heat of midsummer.
Zone 4 has an average last spring frost around May 1 and a first fall frost around Oct 1. These vary by location — the plant app uses your ZIP code with NOAA data for precision.
Good companions for cilantro / coriander include Spinach, Tomatoes. Avoid planting near Fennel.
Cilantro / Coriander typically takes 45–70 days to harvest in Zone 4. Expected harvest window: May – Jun, Sep – Oct.
These guides get better when growers share what they know. If something's off or you've learned something worth passing on, add it here — accepted tips earn you a Founding Grower badge when plant launches.
Your tip for growing Cilantro / Coriander in Zone 4
Your name (optional)
Your zone (optional)
Tips are reviewed before publishing. You'll hear from us before the app launches.
Thanks for contributing! We'll review your tip and be in touch before launch.
What needs correcting?
What should it say?
Your zone (optional)
Thanks — we'll review this and update the guide if needed.