How to grow Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
A slow starter that gives all season.
Parsley is a hardy biennial that handles cool weather and light frost well, so it produces for a long season in most climates. It’s slow to sprout everywhere — keep the seedbed moist and be patient, and one planting will feed you all year.
Grow Parsley with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Parsley at a glance
| Sun | Sun / part shade |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 8–10 in |
| Harvest | 70–90 days |
| Plant | Spring |
| Note | Slow to sprout |
How to grow Parsley, step by step
Sow or buy a start
- Seed is slow (2–4 weeks) — soak it and keep the soil moist, or buy a transplant.
- Flat-leaf for cooking; curly for garnish.
Grow it on
- Full sun to part shade and even moisture.
- Snip outer stems once plants are established.
Harvest all season
- Cut outer stems from the base and the center keeps producing.
- It overwinters in mild areas, then bolts in its second spring — let some flower for pollinators.
Parsley problems & fixes
Parsley — Seeds never came up: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Normal — parsley is slow. Keep the bed constantly moist and give it a month.
Parsley — Green-and-black striped caterpillars: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Black swallowtail larvae. They’re harmless — move them, or share a plant with the butterflies.
Parsley — Plant shoots up and flowers: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
It’s bolting in its second year. Sow fresh parsley each spring for a steady supply.
Recommended parsley varieties
- Italian Flat-Leaf — Best for cooking. Stronger flavor than curly — the one to grow for the kitchen.
- Moss Curled — Garnish. Tight, ruffled leaves; tidy and ornamental in borders.
- Giant of Italy — High-yield. Big, vigorous plants for a season-long supply.
Parsley month-by-month
| January | Off-season. |
|---|---|
| February | Start seed indoors. |
| March | Sow or transplant outdoors. |
| April | Slow start — keep moist. |
| May | Plants fill in; begin harvest. |
| June | Cut outer stems regularly. |
| July | Peak — harvest and freeze cubes. |
| August | Keep cutting. |
| September | Cool weather, steady growth. |
| October | Harvest into the frosts. |
| November | Mulch; overwinters in mild zones. |
| December | Off-season. |