Pennsylvania planting calendar

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

Pennsylvania is mostly USDA zone 6b (range 5a-7b). Dates below are derived from cilantro's frost tolerance and Pennsylvania's frost window — not generic national averages.

Cilantro planting timetable for Pennsylvania

Stage	When in Pennsylvania	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	early April (April 4)	21 days before the last frost (late April)
First harvest (estimate)	late May (May 24)	~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 Pennsylvania's climate shifts the cilantro dates

Pennsylvania's last spring frost averages late April and first fall frost mid-October, which sets the whole planting clock. Pennsylvania runs from cold northern mountains to a mild southeastern corner. Philadelphia gardens almost two zones warmer than the northern tier. 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 April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the northern Allegheny plateau (zone 5a) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Pennsylvania

the northern Allegheny plateau (zone 5a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the southeast around Philadelphia (zone 7b) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Philadelphia — USDA zone 7b
Pittsburgh — USDA zone 6b
Harrisburg — USDA zone 7a
Allentown — USDA zone 6b
Erie — USDA zone 6b

What else to plant in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania (mostly USDA zone 6b), direct-sow cilantro early April (before the last frost, late April), and harvest from late May. 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 Pennsylvania?

Most of Pennsylvania sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b, with the state spanning roughly 5a-7b from the northern Allegheny plateau (zone 5a) to the southeast around Philadelphia (zone 7b). The last spring frost averages late April and the first fall frost mid-October.

Can you grow cilantro in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania's dominant zone 6b 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 Pennsylvania?

the northern Allegheny plateau (zone 5a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the southeast around Philadelphia (zone 7b) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Pennsylvania 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.