When to plant cilantro in Illinois
Sow outdoors in Chicago
Mar 27–Apr 17
Across Illinois the window opens between March 21 and April 17. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.
- Sow outdoors, Chicago
- Mar 27–Apr 17
- Fall planting, Chicago
- Sep 10–Sep 24
- Last frost, Chicago
- Apr 10
Sow outdoors from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Cilantro goes to seed quickly in warm weather. Sow small amounts often.
Cilantro planting dates by city
Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
ChicagoMar 27–Apr 17
AuroraApr 5–Apr 26
NapervilleApr 14–May 5
JolietApr 5–Apr 26
RockfordApr 10–May 1
ElginApr 12–May 3
SpringfieldApr 1–Apr 22
PeoriaApr 2–Apr 23
ChampaignApr 1–Apr 22
WaukeganApr 16–May 7
CiceroMar 28–Apr 18
BloomingtonApr 11–May 2
SchaumburgApr 16–May 7
EvanstonApr 12–May 3
Arlington HeightsApr 5–Apr 26
BolingbrookApr 6–Apr 27
DecaturMar 31–Apr 21
SkokieApr 12–May 3
PalatineApr 11–May 2
Des PlainesApr 2–Apr 23
Orland ParkApr 5–Apr 26
Oak LawnMar 27–Apr 17
Mount ProspectApr 5–Apr 26
Tinley ParkApr 9–Apr 30
BerwynMar 28–Apr 18
WheatonApr 14–May 5
NormalApr 11–May 2
Oak ParkMar 28–Apr 18
Hoffman EstatesApr 16–May 7
Downers GroveApr 14–May 5
All 121 cities
| City | Sow outdoors | Fall planting | Last frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Mar 27 to Apr 17 | Sep 10 to Sep 24 | Apr 10 |
| Aurora | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 19 |
| Naperville | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Joliet | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 30 to Sep 13 | Apr 19 |
| Rockford | Apr 10 to May 1 | Aug 22 to Sep 5 | Apr 24 |
| Elgin | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 26 |
| Springfield | Apr 1 to Apr 22 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 15 |
| Peoria | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 16 |
| Champaign | Apr 1 to Apr 22 | Aug 29 to Sep 12 | Apr 15 |
| Waukegan | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 30 |
| Cicero | Mar 28 to Apr 18 | Sep 5 to Sep 19 | Apr 11 |
| Bloomington | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 25 |
| Schaumburg | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 30 |
| Evanston | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 26 |
| Arlington Heights | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 31 to Sep 14 | Apr 19 |
| Bolingbrook | Apr 6 to Apr 27 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 20 |
| Decatur | Mar 31 to Apr 21 | Aug 29 to Sep 12 | Apr 14 |
| Skokie | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 26 |
| Palatine | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 25 |
| Des Plaines | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| Orland Park | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 19 |
| Oak Lawn | Mar 27 to Apr 17 | Sep 6 to Sep 20 | Apr 10 |
| Mount Prospect | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 31 to Sep 14 | Apr 19 |
| Tinley Park | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| Berwyn | Mar 28 to Apr 18 | Sep 5 to Sep 19 | Apr 11 |
| Wheaton | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Normal | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 25 |
| Oak Park | Mar 28 to Apr 18 | Sep 5 to Sep 19 | Apr 11 |
| Hoffman Estates | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 30 |
| Downers Grove | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Plainfield | Apr 6 to Apr 27 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 20 |
| Glenview | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 26 |
| Elmhurst | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| Lombard | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Buffalo Grove | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 31 to Sep 14 | Apr 19 |
| Moline | Apr 10 to May 1 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 24 |
| Crystal Lake | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 25 |
| Romeoville | Apr 6 to Apr 27 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 20 |
| Bartlett | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 30 |
| DeKalb | Apr 10 to May 1 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 24 |
| Belleville | Mar 29 to Apr 19 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 12 |
| Oswego | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 19 |
| Urbana | Apr 1 to Apr 22 | Aug 29 to Sep 12 | Apr 15 |
| Carol Stream | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 25 |
| Quincy | Mar 25 to Apr 15 | Sep 4 to Sep 18 | Apr 8 |
| Park Ridge | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| Wheeling | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 31 to Sep 14 | Apr 19 |
| Streamwood | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 30 |
| Carpentersville | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 26 |
| Hanover Park | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 30 |
| Rock Island | Apr 10 to May 1 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 24 |
| Addison | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| Calumet City | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| Northbrook | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 26 |
| North Chicago | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 30 |
| Woodridge | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| St. Charles | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 25 |
| Mundelein | Apr 15 to May 6 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 29 |
| O'Fallon | Mar 29 to Apr 19 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 12 |
| Glendale Heights | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Elk Grove Village | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| Pekin | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 16 |
| Algonquin | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 26 |
| Highland Park | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 26 |
| Gurnee | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 30 |
| Niles | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| McHenry | Apr 17 to May 8 | Aug 16 to Aug 30 | May 1 |
| Huntley | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 25 |
| New Lenox | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 30 to Sep 13 | Apr 19 |
| Glen Ellyn | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Lake in the Hills | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 25 |
| Galesburg | Apr 6 to Apr 27 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 20 |
| Burbank | Mar 27 to Apr 17 | Sep 6 to Sep 20 | Apr 10 |
| Danville | Apr 7 to Apr 28 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 21 |
| Lansing | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| Lockport | Apr 6 to Apr 27 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 20 |
| Wilmette | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 26 |
| Round Lake Beach | Apr 10 to May 1 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 24 |
| Vernon Hills | Apr 15 to May 6 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 29 |
| Granite City | Mar 21 to Apr 11 | Sep 10 to Sep 24 | Apr 4 |
| Oak Forest | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| Yorkville | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 28 |
| Batavia | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 19 |
| Chicago Heights | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| Edwardsville | Mar 21 to Apr 11 | Sep 10 to Sep 24 | Apr 4 |
| Woodstock | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 25 |
| South Elgin | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 26 |
| Belvidere | Apr 10 to May 1 | Aug 22 to Sep 5 | Apr 24 |
| West Chicago | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 25 |
| Alton | Mar 21 to Apr 11 | Sep 10 to Sep 24 | Apr 4 |
| Homer Glen | Apr 6 to Apr 27 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 20 |
| Morton Grove | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 26 |
| Zion | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 | Apr 30 |
| Westmont | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Melrose Park | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| Collinsville | Mar 25 to Apr 15 | Aug 31 to Sep 14 | Apr 8 |
| Loves Park | Apr 10 to May 1 | Aug 22 to Sep 5 | Apr 24 |
| Rolling Meadows | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 31 to Sep 14 | Apr 19 |
| Elmwood Park | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Sep 2 to Sep 16 | Apr 16 |
| Lisle | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Kankakee | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 29 to Sep 12 | Apr 19 |
| Maywood | Mar 28 to Apr 18 | Sep 5 to Sep 19 | Apr 11 |
| Freeport | Apr 12 to May 3 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 26 |
| Machesney Park | Apr 17 to May 8 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 | May 1 |
| Roselle | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 30 |
| Bloomingdale | Apr 16 to May 7 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 | Apr 30 |
| East Peoria | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 16 |
| Darien | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 19 |
| Montgomery | Apr 5 to Apr 26 | Aug 28 to Sep 11 | Apr 19 |
| Villa Park | Apr 14 to May 5 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 28 |
| Carbondale | Mar 26 to Apr 16 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 9 |
| Blue Island | Mar 27 to Apr 17 | Sep 6 to Sep 20 | Apr 10 |
| Frankfort | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| Grayslake | Apr 15 to May 6 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 29 |
| Geneva | Apr 11 to May 2 | Aug 24 to Sep 7 | Apr 25 |
| Park Forest | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| South Holland | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| Libertyville | Apr 15 to May 6 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 29 |
| Crest Hill | Apr 6 to Apr 27 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 20 |
| Dolton | Apr 9 to Apr 30 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 | Apr 23 |
| East Moline | Apr 2 to Apr 23 | Aug 30 to Sep 13 | Apr 16 |
Questions
When should I plant cilantro in Illinois?
In Chicago, sow outdoors from March 27 to April 17. Across Illinois the window opens between March 21 and April 17, depending on the local last frost.
How is this date worked out?
Sow outdoors from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.
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Cilantro in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming