When to plant cilantro in San Antonio, Texas

January 28 – February 11

Direct-sow outdoors · typical San Antonio year

Climate basis: NOAA station San Antonio Incarnate Word, TX (USC00417947), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown San Antonio (ZCTA 78205 centroid), elevation 700 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow cilantro from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (February 25). One year in ten still freezes after March 19.

Last spring freezeFebruary 251-in-10 after Mar 19
First fall freezeNovember 281-in-10 before Nov 7
Frost-free season277 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Feb 5Dec 15kills even hardy greens
USDA zone9a20 to 25°F winter low not frost timing

The San Antonio year

Direct-sow outdoorsJan 28 – Feb 11
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Mar 19
Cilantro in San Antonio · freeze context from San Antonio Incarnate Word, TX, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Jan 28 – Feb 11

Oklahoma State: sow two to four weeks before the last spring frost (with a second sowing in late summer for fall harvest). Cilantro bolts in heat — sow early. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Feb 25). Oklahoma State University Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

Cilantro is tap-rooted and resents transplanting; the cited guide times direct sowing only.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Leaf harvest begins about 40–50 days from sowing; bolts quickly in warm weather.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (1)

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