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Parsley care
Petroselinum crispum · Apiaceae
Also called Garden parsley, Curly parsley, Italian parsley.
A leafy biennial herb from the Mediterranean, grown for its curly or flat bright green leaves. In its first year it forms a clump about 20 to 30 cm tall; in the second it flowers and the leaves lose their flavour, so most people treat it as an annual. It grows well in a deep pot on a bright windowsill if the soil never dries out.
Light
Partial SunWatering
Every 2-3 daysDifficulty
EasyPets
Toxic to cats and dogsHeight indoors
20-30 cm
Growth
Moderate
TemperatureUnconfirmed
13-21 °C
Not below 5 °C
HumidityUnconfirmed
40% - 60%
Average room humidity
Soil pHUnconfirmed
6.0-7.0
Slightly acidic soil
Native to
- Algeria
- Greece
- Morocco
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Serbia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
Through the year
Keep the potting mix evenly moist but not waterlogged, and check pots often in warm weather because they dry fast. Indoors in winter, water once the surface starts to dry.
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Spring
Every 2-3 daysSow seed or start with young plants; flat-leaved and curly types both suit pots.
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Summer
Every 2-3 daysKeep the soil moist and move pots out of hot afternoon sun; harvest regularly.
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Autumn
WeeklyBring outdoor pots inside before hard frost and set them in a cool, sunny window.
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Winter
WeeklyWater when the surface dries and keep picking; replace the plant once it starts to flower.
Feeding
Every 2 weeks in spring and summer. Balanced liquid fertilizer at a low dose for plants in pots.
Care tips
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Use a deep pot
Parsley has a long taproot, so pick a pot at least 25 cm deep and avoid moving it once it is growing.
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Pick the outer stems
Cut whole stems at the base from the outside of the clump; new leaves keep coming from the centre.
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Be patient with seed
Seeds often take a month or more to sprout, so buying young plants is quicker.
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Keep it cool and bright
It grows best in a cool, sunny window and struggles in hot, humid conditions.
Common problems
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Aphids
What you seeSmall green or black insects clustered on young leaves and stems.
What to doRinse them off with water, snip off badly infested stems and wash leaves before eating.
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Septoria leaf spot
What you seeSmall brown spots with darker edges spreading over the leaves.
What to doRemove spotted leaves, water the soil rather than the foliage and give the plant more space and air.
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Bolting
What you seeA tall stalk with flat clusters of yellow-green flowers grows and the leaves turn tough and bitter.
What to doCut flower stalks off as soon as they appear, and sow fresh plants each year.
Pets
Is parsley safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic to cats and dogs. Listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. It contains furanocoumarins, which can cause sun sensitivity and skin irritation, though only after large amounts are eaten.
Good to know
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The genus name joins the Greek words for rock and celery.
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It is a food plant for black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.
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One type, Hamburg parsley, is grown for its thick root, cooked like a parsnip.
