Mississippi planting calendar

When to plant cilantro in Mississippi — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Mississippi is mostly USDA zone 8b (range 7b-9a). Dates below are derived from cilantro's frost tolerance and Mississippi's frost window — not generic national averages.

Cilantro planting timetable for Mississippi

Stage	When in Mississippi	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	early March (March 4)	21 days before the last frost (late March)
First harvest (estimate)	late April (April 23)	~50 days from direct sow

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Mississippi's climate shifts the cilantro dates

Mississippi's last spring frost averages late March and first fall frost early November, which sets the whole planting clock. Mississippi has a hot, humid, long season with mild winters. The Gulf Coast is nearly frost-free; the north sees a short cold spell. Sow early — cilantro bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Cilantro resents transplanting and should always be direct-sown; its taproot breaks easily and transplant shock triggers immediate bolting. Sow 2-3 weeks before the last spring frost when soil is 10-29 °C, then succession-sow every 2-3 weeks through early summer, stopping once daytime temperatures consistently exceed 27 °C (80 °F) — above that threshold the plant bolts within days and goes straight to seed. In zones 8-11 cilantro is best grown as a fall and winter crop.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before late March — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Mississippi

the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Gulf Coast around Gulfport (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Jackson — USDA zone 8b
Gulfport — USDA zone 9a
Hattiesburg — USDA zone 8b
Tupelo — USDA zone 8a

What else to plant in Mississippi around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun to partial shade — 4-6 hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 10-29 °C (50-85 °F).
Spacing: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~50 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant cilantro in Mississippi?

In Mississippi (mostly USDA zone 8b), direct-sow cilantro early March (before the last frost, late March), and harvest from late April. Cilantro are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

What USDA zone is Mississippi?

Most of Mississippi sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b, with the state spanning roughly 7b-9a from the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) to the Gulf Coast around Gulfport (zone 9a). The last spring frost averages late March and the first fall frost early November.

Can you grow cilantro in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi's dominant zone 8b supports cilantro — the key is timing. Cilantro are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

Does the planting date change across Mississippi?

the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Gulf Coast around Gulfport (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Mississippi around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.