Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers, parsley is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing parsley.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Parsley Belong To?
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) belongs to the Apiaceae family, also known as the carrot family.
Some of its relatives include parsnips, dill, and cilantro.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Parsley?
The minimum container depth recommended for parsley is 6 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Parsley?
Some of parsley's best companions are as follows:
- Asparagus
- Tomatoes
- Peppers such as bell pepper and jalapeño
- Corn
- Chives
- Basil
- Beans like green beans
- Cauliflower, kale, and other Brassicas
- Rose
- Apple
- Pear
- Blueberry
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Parsley?
Parsley is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with parsley are as follows:
You may notice that many of these are fellow Apiaceae family members. See our Apiaceae family page here for more information about why this is the case.
What Soil Conditions Does Parsley Need?
Parsley prefers rich soil that is moist but not waterlogged and has a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
How Long Does Parsley Take to Germinate?
Parsley takes 2-6 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 40-90°F. The ideal germination temperature is right around 80ºF.
How Much Sun Does Parsley Need?
Parsley can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower pace.
In mild-summer areas like the Pacific Northwest, it is best to stick to full sun.
Hotter regions can get away with more shade. In fact, growing parsley in dappled shade or part shade is recommended in these conditions to delay bolting.
How Much Water Does Parsley Need?
Parsley needs 1-2 inches of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Parsley?
Parsley grows fastest in temperatures of 50-70°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some parsley varieties are bred for autumn harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Parsley Get?
The average height of parsley is 8-20 inches.
Is Parsley Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Parsley is a biennial herb, meaning that its life cycle spans 2 years, and it flowers, produces seed, and dies in its second year.
But it is often grown as an annual, meaning that it starts and ends its life in the same year.
How Does Parsley Reproduce?
Parsley reproduces by seed.
How Much Parsley is Produced Per Plant?
For parsley, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type of parsley and, at times, the variety.
Most parsleys produce several leaves and 1-3 seedy flowerheads per plant.
Can Parsley Be Ingested?
Parsley leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots are edible.
Parsley leaves, seeds, and roots have anti-inflammatory and carminative properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea (infusion), vinegars, and tinctures.
An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a parsley leaf tincture.
An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:2 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a parsley seed or root tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting parsley leaves, flowers, seeds, or roots.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of parsley rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for parsley here!
Parsley is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: