Cilantro is a cool-season herb that suits the Zone 2 spring and autumn far better than midsummer. It grows fast — 45 to 60 days to harvest — bolts quickly in heat, and prefers a little shade in the hottest part of the day. In Zone 2, the winning approach is to sow it early, sow little and often, and let the autumn sowing be your best crop. The seeds, once they ripen, are coriander — so one plant gives you two different spices.
This guide covers when to plant cilantro zone 2 — the sowing and transplanting dates that work in Zone 2, and the soil, spacing, sun, water and care the crop needs. All frost dates below are USDA/NOAA zone averages for Zone 2, not promises for any one garden — check your local extension service, because frost dates vary by microclimate, elevation and year.
Zone 2 at a glance
USDA Zone 2 has average winter lows of −50 to −40°F, an average last spring frost of June 1–15 and an average first autumn frost of August 15–September 1, leaving roughly 60 to 90 frost-free days in an average year. That is one of the shortest growing seasons in the United States, so short-season varieties, indoor starting where the crop allows it, and protection at both ends of the season — a cold frame, cloche or low tunnel — are often the difference between a harvest and an empty bed.
| Detail | Zone 2 guidance |
|---|---|
| Average last spring frost | Jun 1–15 (average/range) |
| Average first autumn frost | Aug 15–Sep 1 (average/range) |
| Frost-free window | Roughly 60–90 days |
| Days to germination | 7–14 days |
| Days to maturity | 45–60 days |
| Sowing | Direct sow, May 4 to June 1 |
| Transplanting | Not transplanted — direct sown |
| Harvest | Around June 25 to July 10 |
| Sun | part shade |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 6–8 inches |
| Water needs | moderate |
When to plant cilantro in Zone 2
Sow directly May 4 to June 1, a few weeks before the average last frost of June 1–15 — cilantro is hardy, so it can handle cool soil and a light frost. With 45–60 days to maturity the harvest falls around June 25 to July 10, comfortably before the average first frost of August 15 to September 1. Frost dates are zone averages — check your local extension service.
The planting calendar hub gives the Zone 2 picture month by month — see June in Zone 2 and July in Zone 2 — and the frost date calculator and seed starting calculator turn your frost averages into sowing dates.
Starting cilantro in Zone 2
Sow seed directly where it is to grow — cilantro dislikes transplanting. Sow in mid to late May, once the soil has warmed a little, and keep the seedbed moist until seedlings appear in 7–14 days. Give plants a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade if you can, and mulch to keep the roots cool. Thin seedlings to the spacing below so air can move between plants.
In Zone 2, a raised bed warms earlier than flat ground, and black plastic laid over the bed for a week or two before planting warms the soil further. Harden off indoor-started plants for a week to ten days before they go outside, putting them out for a few hours a day in a sheltered spot and bringing them in if frost is forecast.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Cilantro grows best in part shade, in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Test your soil through your local extension service rather than guessing, and dig in well-rotted compost before planting to improve drainage and moisture holding. Space plants 6–8 inches apart — in a short season it is tempting to crowd plants in, but crowded plants stay small and invite disease, so use the plant spacing calculator if you are laying out a bed. Cilantro needs moderate water: water deeply and less often rather than lightly every day, water at the base in the morning so leaves dry before night, and mulch to keep the soil evenly moist. Check the soil a finger's depth down and water when it feels dry there.
Companion planting
Good companions for cilantro include tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, cabbage. The companion planting finder can suggest combinations for your whole bed. Avoid planting cilantro where the same family (Apiaceae) grew last year, and rotate crops each year to reduce soil-borne disease.
Pests and problems
The common pests and problems to watch for with cilantro are carrot rust fly, aphids, wireworms. Inspect plants regularly, especially the undersides of leaves, and act early: hand-pick larger pests, wash aphids off with a strong jet of water, and remove badly affected leaves rather than waiting for the problem to spread. Healthy plants in the right soil and spacing resist pests better than stressed ones.
Harvest and storage
Start picking leaves once plants are a few inches tall, cutting outer stems first. Use fresh — cilantro loses its flavour when dried, so freeze it in oil or use it the day you pick it. If plants bolt, let a few go to seed: the round seeds are coriander, and once they turn brown and dry you can shake them into a bag and store them for months. A late-July sowing usually gives the best autumn leaves.
Related guides in this series: Dill in Zone 2 and Carrots in Zone 1 — plus the planting calendar hub for the full Zone 2 year.
Frequently asked questions
When to plant cilantro zone 2?
Sow directly May 4 to June 1, a few weeks before the average last frost (June 1–15), for a harvest around June 25 to July 10. These are zone averages — check your local extension service, because frost dates vary by microclimate and year.
Can I grow cilantro outdoors in Zone 2?
Yes, with the right variety and timing. The frost-free window is roughly 60 to 90 days, so choose short-season varieties and start indoors where the crop allows it. Cilantro is hardy, so it handles cool weather, but still needs protection from hard frosts.
How long does cilantro take to grow in Zone 2?
Seeds germinate in 7–14 days, and the crop takes 45–60 days to maturity. In Zone 2, cool soil and cold nights can slow growth, so allow the longer end of the range.
What soil and spacing does cilantro need in Zone 2?
Cilantro needs part shade and soil pH 6.0–7.0, spaced 6–8 inches apart. Dig in well-rotted compost, water deeply, mulch, and test your soil through your local extension service.
What pests affect cilantro in Zone 2?
The main ones are carrot rust fly, aphids, wireworms. Inspect plants regularly and act early, but remember that in Zone 2, cold and wind are usually as big a threat as pests, so keep frost protection ready and choose a sheltered spot.