Herb

When to Plant Cilantro in Louisiana

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 Louisiana, 6 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Nov 10 - Nov 25 in Northern Louisiana.

Louisiana Frost Dates

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

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Louisiana	8a, 8b	Mar 1 - Mar 15	Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Louisiana	9a, 9b	Feb 1 - Feb 20	Dec 1 - Dec 20

Cilantro Planting Schedule for Louisiana

Northern Louisiana (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Direct Sow

2 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Southern Louisiana (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 20 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Direct Sow

2 wks before frost

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Growing Cilantro in Louisiana

Cilantro in Louisiana's Climate

Cilantro is strictly cool-season in your warm climate. Sow from September through February. It grows fast in your mild cool weather but bolts within days once spring warmth arrives. Vietnamese cilantro (Persicaria odorata) is a heat-tolerant alternative with similar flavor for summer use.

Soil Considerations for Louisiana

Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas.

Louisiana Climate & Growing Season

Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible.

Growing season length varies across Louisiana: Northern Louisiana (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana (9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. 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 Louisiana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Louisiana gardeners should plan around a Mar 1 - Mar 15 last frost, while those in Southern Louisiana can typically plant earlier. 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