Key Facts
- Biennial herb usually grown as an annual for its leaves
- Leaves are pinnate and available as curly or flat leaf types
- Primarily propagated by seed
- Flowers in the second year if left to overwinter and bolt to seed
- Prefers rich, moist, well drained soil
- Performs in full sun to partial shade
- Culinary amounts are safe for most people but concentrated extracts may be harmful
Parsley is a biennial herb grown for its pinnate leaves, available as curly or flat types, and most often cultivated as an annual for fresh culinary use. It prefers rich, moist but well drained soil and will flower in its second year if left to overwinter.
Identification
Parsley has pinnate leaves that occur as either curly or flat leaf types and forms a low clump 6 to 24 inches tall depending on variety and conditions. Plants that are allowed to overwinter typically send up taller flower stalks the second year, forming umbels of greenish yellow flowers in summer.
Best uses and where to grow
Grow parsley as a kitchen herb for fresh leaf harvest in beds or mixed herb plantings where rich soil and consistent moisture are available. It performs in full sun to partial shade, with partial shade reducing premature bolting in hot climates while full sun supports robust leaf production in cooler areas.
Planting and propagation
Parsley is primarily propagated by seed, either sown directly or started as transplants. Seed germination can be slow and often benefits from presoaking and steady moisture. Planting season varies by climate and cultivar, so time sowing to produce leaves during your main growing months rather than to force flowering.
Soil, light and watering
Use rich, fertile soil that stays moist yet drains well because poor drainage and waterlogging cause root rot and reduced vigor. Parsley tolerates average soils but responds to organic matter with better leaf production. Give plants full sun to partial shade and reduce afternoon heat where bolting is a concern.
After flowering and spread control
Most gardeners remove flower stalks when parsley is grown for leaves because plants flower in the second year and then set seed. Allowing plants to bolt and go to seed will naturalize and increase self-sown seedlings, so deadhead flowers to limit spread or collect seeds if you want volunteers for next season.
Safety and culinary notes
Culinary amounts of parsley are generally safe for people but concentrated extracts or very large doses may be harmful and can stimulate uterine contractions. Parsley contains furanocoumarins that may cause photosensitivity in some animals. Confirm pregnancy and pet safety with medical or poison control experts when using concentrated preparations.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Parsley grow?
- Growth rate depends on variety and conditions. Typical plants reach 6 to 24 inches tall; germination can be slow so expect several weeks for seedlings and faster leaf production once established.
- When does Parsley flower?
- Parsley usually flowers in its second year, producing umbels of greenish yellow flowers in summer when plants are left to overwinter.
- How should I water parsley?
- Keep soil consistently moist but well drained. Overly wet, waterlogged soil leads to root rot and weak plants, while dry spells reduce leaf production and encourage bolting.
- How far apart should I space parsley plants?
- Space plants to allow a mature clump spread of about 8 to 12 inches so leaves have room to develop; denser sowings will reduce individual plant size.
- Can parsley reseed itself?
- Yes. If plants are allowed to flower and set seed they will self-sow. Remove flower stalks to prevent volunteers or collect seeds if you want to propagate new plants.
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