Growing Parsley, also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley

Petroselinum crispum : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Parsley in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 9-19 weeks. Cut stalks from outer part of plant.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Chives, Tomatoes, Asparagus
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes
  • A parsley seedling
  • Flat leaf  Italian parsley

Takes a long time to germinate, about 3 - 5 weeks before the seedlings appear. Grows to about 20 - 30 cm (8 - 10 in) until it flowers when the stems will shoot up to about 1 m (3 ft).

The useful leaves disappear when parsley flowers so it is best to have some more seedlings ready to plant.

Will self seed and produce plenty of new plants every year. Can survive snow and light frosts

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Parsley

Use the leaves and stems to add flavour and colour.
Can be cooked in dishes such as ratatouille.
Traditionally used in white sauce.

Your comments and tips

25 Mar 22, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a bed of parsley about 9 months ago, it grew well and bushy. I have been harvesting the parsley for months and now it is turning yellow and sems to be collapsing. I was under the impression that parsley would last for 2 seasons. Apart from the fact that it has veen pretty wet does anyone have any idea why this is occurring? Thanks and cheers Pete
29 Mar 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The wet could be the problem. I had a ripper about 8-10 years and in Sept it just died in a week.
17 Mar 21, Christine Hughes (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Is it best to grow parsley in pots in a cool climate ( Clutha) or is it okay to put it directly into the garden?
17 Mar 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Parsley should be alright in the ground. I have seen it growing through snow.
07 Oct 19, phil (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
If you want your parsley seed to germinate quickly pour boiling water over them.
13 Aug 22, John (Australia - temperate climate)
So you let it soak in boiling water until water cool?
19 Aug 19, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
I always have parsley growing in my garden which self seeds and tends to pop up in unexpected areas around my garden. This year a parsley plant popped up in a perennial flower bed which has gone on to produce massive leaves up to 90mm across with fronds measuring more than 200mm in width. I have never seen anything like it and it is the most tender and sweetest parsley I have ever tasted. Can anyone shed any light on this apparent aberration?
20 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like damn good rich soil to me.
27 Jun 19, Randall Quested (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi. What ph is suitable for parsley? Cheers thanks.
30 Jun 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Parsley will grow in a pH range between 5.6 (acidic) and 7.5 (neutral) with a preferred range between 6.0 and 7.0.
Showing 1 - 10 of 79 comments

Hi Robyn. Possums love parsley. They have decimated my parsley plants in the different houses I have lived in and I have often heard my friends 'cursing' the possums for eating their own parsley plants.. Your chicken wire barriers will do the trick. I did something similar. Bob

- Bob Dobbs

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.