Herb

When to Plant Cilantro in Hawaii

You either love it or your genetics say no. For the cilantro lovers, it's an essential herb that bolts fast in heat.

The Short Answer

Cilantro are planted in fall in Hawaii, 6 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around None in Coastal Hawaii.

Hawaii Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Hawaii you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Coastal Hawaii	11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a	None	None
Upcountry/Mountain	10a, 10b, 11a	Rare	Rare

Cilantro Planting Schedule for Hawaii

Coastal Hawaii (Zones 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a)

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Direct Sow

2 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Upcountry/Mountain (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Direct Sow

2 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Growing Cilantro in Hawaii

Cilantro in Hawaii's Climate

Sow cilantro from November through January — the window is very brief. Use slow-bolt varieties (Santo, Calypso) exclusively. Vietnamese cilantro is the essential warm-season companion crop — it provides cilantro flavor year-round in conditions where true cilantro cannot survive.

Soil Considerations for Hawaii

Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation.

Hawaii Climate & Growing Season

Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops anytime.

Growing season length varies across Hawaii: Coastal Hawaii (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a) has a last frost around None, while Upcountry/Mountain (10a, 10b, 11a) sees frost end around Rare. This difference matters for cilantro — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Bolts quickly in heat — succession plant every 3 weeks and grow in partial shade during summer. Let some bolt for coriander seeds.

Companion Planting

Plant cilantro alongside these companions for better growth:

Beans Peas Tomatoes

Keep cilantro away from:

Fennel

The Bottom Line

Cilantro can be grown successfully across Hawaii, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Coastal Hawaii gardeners should plan around a None last frost, while those in Upcountry/Mountain can typically plant later. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026