Parsley is a boon to any pollinator garden, herb garden, vegetable garden, or kitchen. Here's how to grow parsley from seed or starts, when to plant it for the best harvests, and other tips for parsley plant care.
Jump to:
- Growing parsley: the basics
- Types of parsley
- When to grow parsley
- When to sow parsley seeds
- How to sow parsley seeds indoors
- How to direct sow parsley seeds
- Planting parsley
- Growing parsley in pots
- How to grow parsley indoors
- Parsley growing conditions
- Common parsley pests
- Companion plants for parsley
- How to harvest parsley
- Is parsley a perennial?
- Does parsley grow back every year?
- How long does parsley take to grow?
- How much sun does parsley need?
- How much water does parsley need?
- What are parsley's soil requirements?
- How tall does parsley grow?
- When should you harvest parsley?
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Growing parsley: the basics
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a member of the Apiaceae family, a group of umbellifers that includes carrots, cilantro, fennel, and dill. Though it's best known as a garnish in the US, it's a light but flavorful herb that's a staple in dishes from the Mediterranean and Middle East. In the garden, it attracts a wealth of pollinators and is an excellent companion planting choice for a wide range of herbs and veg.
Though parsley likes cool weather and can even overwinter under a snowpack, it can grow year-round in most zones. Parsley likes rich, well draining soil, full sun, and regular watering, which becomes particularly important over the summer. As a biennial, parsley will grow a taproot and produce masses of leaves in its first year before flowering, going to seed, and dying in its second year.
Types of parsley
There are three types of parsley: curly leaf parsley, flat leaf parsley, and Hamburg parsley. All are varieties of the same species, though they differ significantly in appearance and flavor.
- Curly leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. crispum), also known as French parsley, has thick, ruffled leaves. It has less flavor than flat leaf parsley, which is why we often see it used as a rather bland garnish.
- Flat leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum), also known as Italian parsley, has a bright, robust flavor that makes it an excellent addition to salads, soups, omelets, and fish and meat dishes. It is the most commonly grown type of parsley.
- Hamburg parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. tuberosum) is grown for its thick, daikon-like root and is not common outside of western Europe.
All three varieties of parsley, when flowering, attract pollinators as well as parasitic flies and wasps that prey on common garden pests. For the gardener, the primary difference is height: curly leaf parsley reaches 12-18 inches, while flat leaf parsley can grow to two or three feet high.
When to grow parsley
Parsley can grow from spring through fall in cold climates, but it's best to plant it in the early spring. One plant can provide a steady harvest throughout the growing season, so you can make the most of its first year by planting it out as soon as the soil has warmed. Parsley is hardy to about 10º F (-12º C), so it's possible to plant it out undercover in raised beds as early as March in my zone 6a garden.
Over the summer, parsley needs regular watering to avoid going to seed prematurely. In the fall, if you intend to overwinter the plant, give it a generous mulching. A durable row cover or garden cloche can extend your parsley harvest into the winter.
Parsley is a biennial, so it will set seed and die at the end of its second year. Still, the flowers are so beneficial to the garden-- and the early spring harvest so welcome-- that it's worth keeping over the winter.
When to sow parsley seeds
In cool climates, sow parsley seeds indoors as early as February for an early spring planting. A direct sowing in March or April-- ideally a month before the last frost-- will provide a consistent harvest. Parsley seeds can take a month to germinate, so by early summer it's worth planting starts instead of sowing seeds.
How to sow parsley seeds indoors
Sow parsley into seed plugs or soil blocks filled with thoroughly dampened soil and cover with ½" of soil. Sow three seeds per plug and thin to one once the seedlings emerge. When the first true leaves start to grow, pot the plants up into slightly larger plugs if needed, being careful not to disturb the developing taproots. Plant outside into prepared soil, pots, or raised beds once the soil has warmed.
Parsley seeds can take as long as a month to germinate and do not need to be placed on a heated seedling mat.
How to direct sow parsley seeds
The benefit of direct sowing parsley is that the plant's taproot won't be disturbed by transplantation. Though this theoretically gives it a leg up over transplants, it may mean a slightly shorter harvesting window.
Direct sow parsley in the spring as soon as the soil has warmed and the ground is workable. Parsley sown outside even in ideal conditions can take a month to germinate. If the temperature drops, the seeds may take closer to two months to sprout.
Sow parsley seeds in sets of three to five-- they can be fickle-- and cover with just ¼" to ½" of soil. Water in thoroughly when sowing. Until the seeds germinate, keep the soil evenly moist. Once the first true leaves appear, thin to one plant every six to nine inches.
Planting parsley
Whether you're planting parsley into raised beds or in the ground, prepare the planting space with plenty of compost and drainage. These plants will grow well into the fall and even winter, so it's worth taking the time to amend their soil well upfront. During the hottest months of the year, a part sun position can help to delay bolting. Space parsley plants six to nine inches apart and water in thoroughly.
Parsley doesn't need fertilizer through the growing season, but it will benefit from a generous mulching in the spring and fall. This will help with water retention and soil temperature in peak summer as well as insulation in the winter.
Growing parsley in pots
Parsley grows well in pots when given enough space, light, and organic matter. Though they'll need a little more attention, planting or sowing parsley into pots comes with the benefit of being able to move them into part shade during peak summer.
Parsley needs a large pot with drainage holes, filled with a rich potting mix. Adding a generous amount of compost and drainage, such as vermiculite or perlite, will enable the plant to send up healthy shoots throughout the growing season.
Water the parsley thoroughly at least once or twice a week, checking frequently to make sure the soil hasn't dried too much. Once the top inch of soil is dry, water generously. (For a less intensive watering schedule, plant into plastic pots.)
To sow parsley in pots, prepare the pots in the same way. Scatter the seed one to two inches apart and over with ¼" to ½" of soil. Water the seeds in and keep the soil damp until seeds germinate, which could take two to four weeks (or longer, in cool temperatures.)
How to grow parsley indoors
Like any full sun plant, parsley grown indoors should be placed in front of a sunny south- or west-facing window. Plant the parsley in sizable, deep pot to accommodate its footprint and taproot. Finally, be sure to rotate and water the plant regularly, as pots-- especially terracotta-- dry out quickly.
Curly leaf parsley may be better suited for indoor growing, as it doesn't grow more than a foot tall.
Parsley growing conditions
Parsley light requirements
Parsley needs full sun or part sun. In areas where the summer sun is particularly intense, a part sun planting will help the plant to stay healthy.
Parsley soil requirements
Parsley thrives in loamy, rich, well draining soil. Parsley is a hungry herb; a few inches of added compost in the soil will allow the plant to produce delicate, flavorful leaves throughout the growing season and even into the winter. General purpose organic raised bed mix with some added compost will produce happy plants, but you can also create your own mix.
To make your own potting soil for parsley, you'll need organic matter and drainage. For drainage, incorporate vermiculite, perlite, or even some sand. For organic matter, composted manure, worm castings, and garden compost are all excellent. Leaf mold or coconut coir help to create a loamy texture.
To keep parsley plants overwinter and harvest their seed in the second year, mulch generously in the fall.
Parsley water requirements
Parsley likes moist soil, but it doesn't want to sit in a waterlogged pot or bed. Give your parsley plants a deep watering once or twice a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. As the hottest months of summer bake the soil, the plant may need more frequent waterings to avoid bolting.
Common parsley pests
The most common pests that parsley attracts are the carrot aphid, carrot root fly, spider mites, armyworms, and cutworms. It's also a host plant for black swallowtail butterflies, who in their larval stage are referred to as "parsley worms" and are generally considered a pest-- but no one who has seen a black swallowtail butterfly fluttering around their garden would agree. In fact, I make sure to plant some sacrificial carrots and parsley just for the joy of seeing the butterflies (and caterpillars) all through the summer.
Parsley's most common pests can be deterred through strategic companion planting and simply by keeping a healthy plant. Parsley grown in the right position, in healthy soil, and with appropriate watering is unlikely to suffer any serious infestation.
Companion plants for parsley
Companion planting for parsley changes between the plant's first and second years. This is because the flowers that parsley produces in year two attract beneficial insects, like wasps and some flies, which can prey on the aphids and mites that plague other plants.
In its first year, the best companion plants for parsley are ones that share similar soil and water requirements. (In fact, parsley shares many of its lookalike cilantro's companion plants.)
Garlic and chives make good companions for parsley because their strong scent can throw off pests that would be attracted to parsley's leaves. Cilantro shares many of parsley's requirements and can also benefit from the shade created by flat leaf parsley. Tomatoes and basil, often planted together, thrive in the same conditions as parsley and can create shade for it during the heat of the summer. And finally brassicas like kale, cabbage, and broccoli, can benefit from proximity to flowering parsley; the pests attracted to the plant's flowers prey on brassicas' most common pests.
Read More: The best and worst companion plants for parsley
How to harvest parsley
To harvest parsley throughout the year, cut up to a third of the leaves down to the base. The plant will happily regrow, sending up another mass of tender leaves over the following weeks. For a constant supply of parsley, it's best to grow multiple plants simultaneously, giving each a generous window to regrow while harvesting from the others.
Is parsley a perennial?
Parsley is classed as a biennial, meaning it produces leaves in its first year and sets seed and dies in its second year. After its first year, it will overwinter in most climates. Technically, parsley is hardy down to about 10º F (-12º C), but a generous mulching or even a deep snow over winter can extend that range.
Does parsley grow back every year?
In mild environments, parsley will grow back in the second year. However, as a biennial, the plant will send up flowers and set seed in year two, at which point the leaves and stem become tough and effectively inedible. In fact, parsley leaves are generally more bitter tasting in their second year.
How long does parsley take to grow?
After seeds sprout, parsley can be ready to harvest in just a couple of months. If the plant is maintained well, it can continue to provide a harvest right into winter. If you want to harvest parsley seed, either let the plant bolt or simply let it overwinter and collect the seeds in the second year of growth.
How much sun does parsley need?
Parsley likes full sun or part sun. It does best in full sun in cool weather. In warm climates during the summer, parsley may benefit from being planted in an area slightly protected from intense afternoon sun.
How much water does parsley need?
Parsley likes moist soil but doesn't want to sit in a waterlogged spot. Plan to water your parsley thoroughly once or twice a week, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. As the height of summer approaches, parsley planted in full sun may need more frequent waterings to ensure that the leaves don't become tough and the plant doesn't go to seed.
What are parsley's soil requirements?
Parsley likes rich, loamy, well draining soil. For a very healthy parsley plant, add a few inches of composted manure or rich garden compost to the soil before planting.
How tall does parsley grow?
Curly leaf parsley grows only 12 to 18 inches tall, while flat leaf parsley can grow two to three feet tall.
When should you harvest parsley?
Harvest parsley when its leaves have reached their full height, roughly one to two months after planting. Curly leaf parsley plants should reach a foot in height; flat leaf parsley should be at least two feet tall before taking a substantial harvest.