Figuring out the perfect schedule for your herb garden starts with knowing when to plant cilantro in Texas. Getting the timing right is the biggest key to preventing your cilantro from bolting straight to seed before you get a good harvest.
Our state’s diverse climate, from the humid east to the arid west, means there’s no single perfect date. But by following the simple seasonal guides below, you’ll learn to work with Texas weather for a succesful crop.
When to Plant Cilantro in Texas
The golden rule for Texas gardeners is to plant cilantro during the cool seasons. Cilantro is a cool-weather annual herb that quickly becomes stressed and goes to seed (bolts) in the heat. Your goal is to grow it in the mild temperatures of fall, winter, and early spring.
Primary Planting Windows:
* Fall: Late September through November. This is often the best and most productive time. The cooling temperatures allow cilantro to establish and grow lush leaves through the mild winter.
* Spring: February through early March. You must plant as soon as the ground is workable after the last frost date for your area. Spring planting gives a shorter window before summer heat arrives.
Regional Adjustments:
* North Texas (DFW, Lubbock, Amarillo): Frost comes earlier and stays later. Aim for early October for fall planting and early March for spring planting. Use frost cloth for late fall sowings.
* Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country): This region has a longer ideal window. Plant from October to November in fall and from mid-February to mid-March in spring.
* South Texas (Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Valley): Your winters are very mild. You can plant from November through January for a continuous winter harvest. Spring planting can begin in January.
* West Texas (El Paso, Midland): With a drier, more continental climate, follow similar dates to North Texas but be prepared for wider temperature swings. Ensure consistent moisture.
Why Cilantro Bolts in Texas Heat
Bolting is when the plant rapidly sends up a tall flower stalk, signaling the end of leaf production. Once it bolts, the leaves become smaller and more feathery (becoming coriander). Heat and long daylight hours trigger this. In Texas, our summer heat is intense, so trying to grow cilantro from May to August is nearly impossible without shade cloth and constant care. It’s much easier to follow natures cool cycle.
Step-by-Step: Planting Your Cilantro
Cilantro grows best from seed directly sown in the garden, as it has a delicate taproot that doesn’t like being transplanted.
1. Choose the Right Location: Select a spot that gets full sun (6-8 hours) during the cool seasons. In South Texas, a location with afternoon shade can help extend the season slightly.
2. Prepare the Soil: Cilantro prefers well-draining soil. Work in 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure to improve texture and fertility. The soil pH should be between 6.2 and 6.8.
3. Sow the Seeds: Plant seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Space seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows, or scatter them in a wide row or container. You can thin seedlings later to 4-6 inches apart.
4. Water Gently: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge, which usually takes 7-14 days. A light layer of fine mulch can help retain moisture.
5. Succession Plant: For a continuous harvest, sow a new batch of seeds every 2-3 weeks during your planting window. This way, as one batch is harvested or begins to bolt, you’ll have another one coming along.
Growing Cilantro in Containers
Container gardening is a fantastic option for cilantro, especially in Texas. It allows you to move pots to sunnier or shadier spots as the season changes.
* Use a pot at least 12 inches deep and wide to acomodate the roots.
* Ensure it has excellent drainage holes.
* Use a high-quality potting mix, not garden soil.
* Water containers more frequently, as they dry out faster.
Caring for Your Cilantro Plants
Consistent care keeps your plants growing vigorously and delays bolting.
* Watering: Provide about 1 inch of water per week. The goal is even moisture. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as stress encourages bolting.
* Fertilizing: If you prepared your soil with compost, little extra fertilizer is needed. You can apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half strength once or twice during the growing season if growth seems slow.
* Thinning: Don’t skip this step! Crowded plants compete for resources and bolt faster. Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart so each plant has room to bush out.
* Harvesting: You can start harvesting when plants are about 6 inches tall. Snip outer leaves near the base of the stem, leaving the inner growth to continue. Never harvest more than one-third of the plant at once.
Dealing with Common Texas Pests & Problems
Cilantro is relatively pest-resistant, but a few issues can pop up.
* Aphids: These small bugs cluster on new growth. Blast them off with a strong spray of water or use insecticidal soap.
* Leafhoppers: They can spread disease. Control with neem oil or row covers.
* Bolting: This is your main “problem.” You cannot stop it forever, but you can delay it by keeping plants consistently watered, harvesting regularly, and choosing slow-bolt varieties. Once the plant bolts, let it flower to attract beneficial insects and then collect the coriander seeds.
* Fungal Diseases (Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spot): Improve air circulation by thinning plants and avoid overhead watering to keep leaves dry. Water in the morning so foliage dries quickly.
Recommended Cilantro Varieties for Texas
Choosing a variety bred for heat tolerance can buy you extra time.
* ‘Slo-Bolt’: A classic choice, it’s more resistant to bolting than standard types.
* ‘Leisure’: Another slow-bolting variety with good flavor and large leaves.
* ‘Caribe’: Known for its vigor and excellent bolt resistance.
* ‘Delfino’: Has unique, fine feathery leaves that some find easier to chop. It’s flavor is excellent.
* ‘Long Standing’: True to its name, it produces for a long time before setting seed.
Remember, even “slow-bolt” varieties will eventually bolt in Texas heat—they just give you a longer harvest window.
Planning for Coriander Seeds
If you let your cilantro flower, it will produce coriander seeds. This is a bonus harvest! The flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden.
* Let the flower heads dry on the plant until the seeds turn a light brown.
* Cut the seed heads and place them in a paper bag.
* Shake the bag to release the seeds.
* Store the dried seeds in an airtight container for use in cooking or for planting next season.
Seasonal Texas Cilantro Calendar
Here’s a quick month-by-month guide to keep you on track:
* January: Plant in South Texas. Protect from occasional frosts in North/Central with cloth.
* February: Prime spring planting begins in Central and South Texas. Prepare beds in North Texas.
* March: Final call for spring planting statewide. Harvest fall-planted crops before they bolt.
* April: Harvest spring-planted cilantro. Heat will end the crop this month.
* May-August: Avoid planting unless experimenting with shade cloth and extra care.
* September: Prepare garden beds. Start planning for fall planting.
* October: Major fall planting month for North and Central Texas.
* November: Prime planting for South and Coastal Texas. Continue succession planting in other regions.
* December: Plant in mild areas. Use frost protection as needed. Enjoy harvests from fall plantings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I grow cilantro indoors in Texas?
Yes, you can grow it indoors on a sunny, south-facing windowsill year-round. Use deep pots and provide as much light as possible. Rotate pots regularly for even growth.
How often should I water cilantro in Texas heat?
During the cool season, once or twice a week is usually sufficent. Always check the top inch of soil. In unseasonable warmth, you may need to water every other day, especially for containers.
What is the best fertilizer for cilantro?
A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) used sparingly is fine. Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive, weak growth. Compost is always the best option.
Can I just plant cilantro from the grocery store?
You can try rooting cuttings from the bunch in water, but it’s often less reliable than seed. The plants are usually mature and prone to bolting quickly. Seeds are cheaper and more effective.
My cilantro is always thin and spindly. What am I doing wrong?
This is usually caused by not enough sun or overcrowding. Ensure plants get full sun during our cool months and thin them properly to 4-6 inches apart so they can grow bushy.
Getting a great cilantro harvest in Texas is all about timing. By respecting its preference for cool weather and using the state’s long fall and spring seasons to your advantage, you’ll have plenty of fresh leaves for your kitchen. Remember to succession plant and choose the right varieties, and you’ll be picking fresh cilantro while others wonder why theirs went to seed to quickly.