How to Grow Parsley

By: Angela Judd | May 3, 2024

Parsley is a powerhouse of flavor and nutrients, attracts beneficial insects, and is surprisingly easy to grow in your backyard. Learn how to grow parsley from seed to harvest with these tips.

Parsley is a biennial, but in hot climates, especially, it often flowers and sets seeds in its first year. It’s in the same family as fennel, cilantro, dill, and carrots. They have umbel flowers that beneficial insects love, hollow stems, and deep tap roots.

1. Plant parsley at the right time

Parsley is a biennial plant that prefers cooler temperatures and can be planted in spring and fall. The best time to plant parsley depends on your climate and whether you start from seeds or seedlings.

If you’re starting from seeds, they can be sown indoors 10-12 weeks before the last spring frost date or directly in the garden 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost. Parsley seeds can take at least three weeks to germinate, so starting them indoors can give them a head start.

For fall planting, sow seeds in the garden 8-10 weeks before the first fall frost date. Parsley can be grown throughout the winter in mild-winter areas.

If you’re planting parsley seedlings, they can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Make sure to harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outside to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.

In the low desert of Arizona

Start seeds indoors from July – March

Plant transplants outside from October – April

Plant seeds outdoors from October – March

2. Plant parsley correctly

Parsley seeds are very slow to germinate. Sow seeds in the garden 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) deep and 6 inches (15.24 cm) apart. It can take 3 to 4 weeks for seedlings to appear. Thin seedlings to about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)apart once they’re a few inches tall to ensure good air circulation.

You can also plant parsley transplants. Look for small transplants with bright green leaves. Plant parsley transplants at the same depth as the nursery container. Remember that parsley is part of the carrot family, so it develops a long taproot. This means you should plant young transplants and handle their roots with care.

Parsley prefers well-draining soil and grows in full sun or partial shade. Do not overwater.

For square-foot gardening, plant 1-2 parsley plants per square foot, depending on the variety.

Flat-leaf (Italian) Parsley looks like a large version of cilantro. Its robust flavor is often preferred over curly parsley. Try Dark Green Italian Giant. Plants grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.

Curly Parsley: Often used as a garnish. Flavor is similar to but less intense than flat-leaf varieties. Try Triple Moss Curled Parsley. Plants are smaller and grow closer to the ground. 6-18 inches tall.

3. Care for parsley correctly

Watering: Water the plant regularly, especially during dry spells.
Sunlight: Parsley does best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Some afternoon shade can help prevent the plant from bolting if you live in a particularly hot climate.
Soil: Parsley prefers rich, well-draining soil. Regularly adding compost or organic matter can improve soil fertility and structure.
Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the parsley plants to help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Pest and Disease Control: Regularly inspect your parsley plants for signs of pests or disease. Rotate your parsley crops to help prevent soil-borne diseases.

A note about how to grow parsley in hot climates:

Parsley is a biennial plant, which means it typically spends the first year growing leaves and the second year flowering and setting seeds. However, in hot climates or under stress, parsley plants can “bolt,” or start flowering in the first year.

High temperatures often trigger this process, as the plant’s survival instincts kick in to ensure it reproduces before the end of its life cycle. When the weather heats rapidly, the parsley plant responds by rushing into its flowering and seeding phase. This is an evolutionary adaptation to secure survival in the event of unfavorable conditions.

Bolting can also be caused by other forms of stress, such as drought, poor soil conditions, or a sudden change in light or temperature. Once a parsley plant bolts, it puts most of its energy into producing flowers and seeds, which can reduce leaf production.

Like carrots, parsley can bolt early in response to weather—learn more in Why Carrots Bolt in Their First Year (And What You Can Do About It).

If you’re growing parsley for its leaves, it’s best to harvest regularly to encourage leafy growth and keep the plant in a cool, well-watered location to help prevent bolting.

How to grow parsley in containers:

Parsley has a long taproot and does best in at least 12 inches (20cm) deep containers.
Parsley grown in containers benefits from a liquid organic fertilizer application each month during the growing season.

How to grow parsley indoors:

Plant a parsley transplant in an unglazed terra-cotta pot at least 12 inches (20cm) deep.
Water parsley only when the top inch or so of soil is dry.
Provide supplemental lighting for parsley for 10-11 hours, with the lights about 6 inches (15 cm) from the plant.
Ideal indoor temperature: 50°F-75°F (10°C-24°C).
Parsley grown indoors benefits from a liquid organic fertilizer application each month during the growing season.

4. Harvest parsley often

When to Harvest: Begin harvesting parsley when the plants have at least three segments. This usually occurs around 70-90 days after planting.
How to Harvest: Cut stems from the outside of the plant first, as these are the most mature. Snip them off close to the ground. This method allows the younger inner leaves to continue growing. Once the plant is established, you can top the entire plant, and it will regrow. Cutting the inner portion helps keep it from flowering.
Frequency of Harvesting: Regular harvesting encourages growth, so don’t be shy about picking your parsley! During peak season, you can harvest parsley every 1-2 weeks.
The foliage of second-year parsley is coarse and not as tasty—plant new parsley each year to harvest the greens.

Remove parsley stems and rinse off in water before preserving

Curly parsley ready for the freeze dryer — Curly parsley ready for the freeze-dryer

Preservation: Fresh parsley is best used immediately, but you can freeze-dry, freeze, or dry it if you have a surplus. Wash and chop the parsley, then freeze it in ice cube trays with water. To dry, tie the stems together and hang them in a well-ventilated, dark place until completely dry.

Don't let your herbs go to waste. Instead freeze-dry herbs to preserve the flavor and quality. Learn how to freeze-dry herbs with these tips.

For more information about freeze-drying herbs, read this post.

For a convenient, shelf-stable way to preserve your produce, be sure to read our guide on how to freeze dry.

Culinary Uses: Parsley is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Use it fresh in salads or as a garnish on soups, stews, and roasts. Add it towards the end of cooking to retain its flavor and color.
Health Benefits: Parsley is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, and is a good source of iron and folate. It’s also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Make Fresh Garden Vegetable Broth & Stock

Get my favorite recipe for garden fresh vegetable stock in this post.

Remember, never pull the parsley up by the root if you want it to keep producing.

5. Use parsley to attract beneficial insects to your garden

Allow a plant or two to bolt. The tall flower stalk will form in the center of the plant. Many beneficial insects, including swallowtail butterfly larvae, are attracted to parsley flowers. The flowers develop into seeds. Save the seeds to plant again or leave them in place to scatter and (hopefully) reseed.