Cumin in Zone 11a & 11b
Cuminum cyminum
When to plant cumin in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Cumin doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 22–Jan 29 |
| Estimated harvest | May 22–May 29 (~120 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.

Cumin is a warm-season seed spice that needs a long, warm growing season to mature its seed, unlike most quick-turnaround culinary herbs.
How cumin fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Cumin.
Where to buy cumin seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing cumin" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Pin this for later
Growing Cumin in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest