Honestly, this is dependent on what kind of haircut you want. If you just cut it to get rid of split-ends/damage, then just trim off the split-ends every couple of months. Your hair will grow much faster (it actually doesn't grow faster, but it doesn't break as often which makes it seem so).

If you cut it short because that is the style you wanted, then you now have to treat it like most guys have to. Get it cut every couple of weeks, or risk it looking shaggy and unkempt....

From a guy's perspective, I cut my hair every 2 weeks, but mine is close to a buzz cut, so it looks shaggier quicker. Longer hair will hide this much better and you can probably get away with every month or even month and 1/2, depending on the style.

I've done this a bunch of times. You can do it either way, but it's best to trim the ends every month because it keeps it less messy and out of control.

you need to trim it every so often to keep the dead ends away. that can hinder hair growth. it doesn't have to be a drastic cut, just a couple centimeters to keep it looking and feeling good.
taking some prenatal vitamins will make your hair grow faster by the way.

If I am growing my hair out, I get a trim if I start to see split ends or if I hit more than three major snags while brushing. (Sounds like you may not be at brushing length yet, but I also don't know how long you're planning on going.) Another good sign it's time to head off to the salon is shine. Healthy hair is shiny - if it starts to get dull and brittle I like to trim the ends in addition to adjusting what chemicals touch my hair.

Depending on what style you had for your short hair, it may help to get a good "interim" style once it gets long enough. "Long enough" is really your choice, but I find it's the evening I come home, look in the mirror, and decide I look too shaggy for my own good.

When you go in for your trim/ cut, talk with your salon about products and tips to prevent breakage so you can keep growing rather than constantly trimming. Also, let them know where you're trying to go with your hair if you're not sure what to do for that in-between style. Let them dive in and feel your hair to get a better sense of what you're dealing with.

This is advice coming from someone who does not use much product and does not color. Both product (depending on what it is - curl enhancers are particularly nasty) and coloring can dry hair out and cause it to break more easily, meaning more frequent trims while you are growing it out.