When to plant cilantro in Iowa

Cilantro
Sow outdoors in Des Moines
Apr 4–Apr 25

Across Iowa the window opens between April 1 and April 15. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Des Moines
Apr 4–Apr 25
Fall planting, Des Moines
Aug 25–Sep 8
Last frost, Des Moines
Apr 18

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
Des MoinesApr 4–Apr 25
Cedar RapidsApr 13–May 4
DavenportApr 5–Apr 26
Sioux CityApr 15–May 6
AnkenyApr 9–Apr 30
Iowa CityApr 7–Apr 28
West Des MoinesApr 4–Apr 25
AmesApr 12–May 3
WaterlooApr 13–May 4
Council BluffsApr 4–Apr 25
DubuqueApr 5–Apr 26
UrbandaleApr 5–Apr 26
MarionApr 14–May 5
Cedar FallsApr 13–May 4
BettendorfApr 2–Apr 23
WaukeeApr 4–Apr 25
MarshalltownApr 14–May 5
Mason CityApr 15–May 6
OttumwaApr 9–Apr 30
JohnstonApr 5–Apr 26
Fort DodgeApr 14–May 5
ClintonApr 8–Apr 29
CoralvilleApr 7–Apr 28
BurlingtonApr 1–Apr 22
MuscatineApr 10–May 1
AltoonaApr 9–Apr 30
North LibertyApr 7–Apr 28

Questions

When should I plant cilantro in Iowa?

In Des Moines, sow outdoors from April 4 to April 25. Across Iowa the window opens between April 1 and April 15, 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.

More for Iowa

Cilantro in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa