Parsley.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herb

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

12 to 18 inches

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to summer of the second year

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant needs more light or better drainage. Harvest the outer stems first to encourage the center to keep producing new growth.

Watering

Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.

Pruning

Snip off outer stems regularly to promote bushy growth and prevent flowering.

Repotting

Repot once a year if you are keeping it in a container to refresh the soil.

Soil

Rich, well-draining, loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-10 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Biennial, typically 2 years

Fragrance

Light

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

Parsley is generally safe to eat, though it contains compounds that can cause photosensitivity in rare, extreme cases of overconsumption.

Pets

Parsley is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities due to furanocoumarins.

Children

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the seeds should not be ingested in large amounts.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage can occasionally cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to furanocoumarins.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger mild seasonal allergy symptoms in some people.

Edibility

Avoid consuming large quantities of parsley if you are pregnant, as it may have uterine stimulating effects.

How to identify it

• Bright green deeply divided leaves
• Leaf edges are ruffled or flat
• Stems grow from a central crown
• Small yellow flowers on tall stalks

Height

0.2 to 0.45m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

bright green, dark green, deciduous

Flowers

yellowish green, 0.5 to 0.8cm

Fruit

brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

• BoltingCommon
• CaterpillarsCommon
• Septoria Leaf SpotCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Leaf MinersUncommon
• Root RotUncommon

• Parsley worm · These are the caterpillars of the black swallowtail butterfly that feed on the foliage.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, early autumn

Overwintering

In cold climates, cover the plants with a light mulch to protect the crown from freezing temperatures. They will often survive the winter and bolt in the spring.

In containers

It grows very well in containers, provided the pot is at least 15 cm deep and has excellent drainage.

Plant parsley in the gaps between your vegetable rows to maximize space and benefit neighboring crops.

Grows well with

• Tomato · Parsley is thought to improve the flavor of tomatoes when planted nearby.
• Asparagus · Parsley is a classic companion that helps asparagus grow more vigorously.
• Rose · Planting parsley near roses can help enhance their scent.

Keep away from

• Lettuce · Parsley can inhibit the growth of lettuce when grown in close proximity.

Similar species

• Flat leaf parsley · This variety has a stronger flavor and is preferred for cooking.
• Chervil · It has a similar delicate, ferny appearance and culinary use.

Science

Family

Apiaceae

Genus

Petroselinum

Order

Apiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central and Southern Mediterranean region

Conservation

Parsley is a common garden crop and is not of conservation concern.

It naturally grows in rocky, well drained soils in sunny Mediterranean climates.

Value to wildlife

larval host plant, nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

culinary herb, garnish, companion planting, vitamin source

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why is my parsley turning yellow?

This is often due to overwatering or a lack of nitrogen in the soil.

Can I grow parsley in a pot?

Yes, it thrives in containers as long as they have good drainage and at least 6 inches of depth.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Petroselinum combines the Greek words for rock and celery, while crispum refers to the curled leaves of the common variety.

Good to know

• Ancient Greeks associated parsley with death and used it to crown victors of the Nemean Games.
• The name comes from the Greek word petros, meaning stone, because it often grows in rocky crevices.
• Parsley is incredibly high in vitamins A, C, and K.
• It was once used as a breath freshener to mask the smell of garlic.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs