When to plant cilantro in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant cilantro shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 7 in Granite City to April 3 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | March 13 – April 24 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | March 22 – May 3 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | March 31 – May 12 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | March 22 – May 3 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | March 27 – May 8 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | March 29 – May 10 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | March 18 – April 29 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | March 19 – April 30 |
Cilantro in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant cilantro in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to direct-sow cilantro spans roughly March 7 in Granite City to April 3 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cilantro planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right cilantro planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does cilantro take to grow in Illinois?
Cilantro takes about 45–70 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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