herb · direct sow
Cilantro: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating cilantro a few times a week needs about 75 plants in ~25 sq ft, worth about $135 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$12.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 19 | ~7 sq ft | ~36 | ~$34 |
| 2 people | 38 | ~13 sq ft | ~72 | ~$68 |
| 4 people | 75 | ~25 sq ft | ~141 | ~$135 |
| 6 people | 113 | ~38 sq ft | ~212 | ~$203 |
Spacing
4" in row · 12" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
50 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 7 – May 22 | Jul 2 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 2 – May 17 | Jul 12 – Aug 25 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 23 – May 7 | Jul 22 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 1 – Sep 14 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 26 – Apr 12 | Aug 11 – Sep 24 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Sep 1 – Oct 15 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 13 – Feb 27 | Sep 21 – Nov 4 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 1 – Feb 7 | Oct 1 – Nov 14 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.15 bunchs per plant over ~3 productive weeks (~0.15 lb). Re-sow every ~21 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Carrot rust fly · Parsleyworm · Aphids — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with tomato-slicing.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
23 kcal · 2.8 g fiber · 27 mg vitamin C · 521 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.