How to grow Parsley
Updated October 2026
Parsley is a bright, versatile herb that grows well in beds and pots. Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley has the stronger flavor and curly parsley the prettier leaves. It is a biennial that is usually grown as an annual: in Florida plant it in fall for winter harvests, and farther north start it in spring. The seed is slow, so be patient.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Parsley
Not to be confused with: Flat-leaf parsley is sometimes mistaken for cilantro, which has a very different flavor. Hamburg parsley is a form grown for its root.
Where to plant
Grow parsley in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. In hot climates it does best with some afternoon shade, which also helps it last longer before flowering.
Parsley is a biennial. It grows leaves the first season, then flowers, sets seed and dies the next spring, so most gardeners sow fresh plants each year. The flowers are loved by bees and other pollinators.
- Florida and the Gulf Coast: plant in the cooler months of fall and winter. Parsley thrives through winter and flowers and dies in late spring.
- Texas, the Desert Southwest and California: plant in fall through early spring.
- Farther north: start seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost and plant out after hard freezes, or sow direct once the soil warms. A fall sowing sometimes overwinters for an early spring harvest.
- Alaska: start indoors and plant out after frost.
Choosing a variety
Flat-leaf or Italian parsley has the strongest flavor. Curly parsley has finely divided, decorative leaves for garnish. Root or Hamburg parsley is grown mainly for its white roots.
How to plant
- Soak seed overnight to help it germinate, then sow it shallowly, no deeper than 1/4 inch.
- Keep the soil evenly moist until seedlings appear, which can take a week or two, or several weeks in cool, wet soil.
- Thin seedlings to about 6 inches apart, or set transplants 6 to 12 inches apart. Parsley has a taproot, so transplant it while small and disturb the roots as little as possible.
- Weed carefully while seedlings are small.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil consistently moist for tender leaves. Feed with compost or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for lush growth.
Pruning and care through the year
- Parsley is a host plant for black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, green with black and yellow bands. They rarely do serious damage; many gardeners plant extra to share, or move them to dill or fennel.
- Remove flower stalks if you want to prolong the leaf harvest, or leave some for pollinators.
Harvesting
Pick the outer stems near the base a few at a time, leaving the center to keep growing, or cut a whole bunch at once. Leaves are best fresh; if dried quickly, they keep their color and flavor.
Growing in pots
Parsley grows well in containers, alone or mixed with other herbs. Use a deep pot for the taproot and keep the mix moist.
Companion planting
Parsley is easy to tuck between vegetables, and its flowers attract beneficial insects in its second season.
Good companions
- Tomato A traditional pairing; parsley fits at the base of tomato rows.
- Carrot A relative that grows in the same conditions; both host swallowtail caterpillars.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to parsley.
- Lettuce Traditional advice keeps the two apart.
Pests and diseases
Few pests are serious in home gardens. Septoria leaf spot is the most common disease.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters on leaves and stems, usually kept down by predators or a spray of water.
- Slugs Ragged holes in leaves after damp nights.
Diseases to watch for
- Septoria leaf spot Small brown spots with dark specks on leaves; buy good seed, as it can be seed borne.
- Damping off Seedlings collapse at soil level in cool, wet soil.
Common questions
Why won't my parsley seed germinate?
Parsley seed is naturally slow and uneven, especially in cold, wet soil. Soak it overnight, sow shallowly, and keep the soil moist. In Florida, expect 7 to 12 days; elsewhere it can take several weeks.
When should I plant parsley in Florida?
In the cooler months of fall and winter. It thrives through winter and flowers and dies in late spring.
Why is my parsley flowering?
Parsley is a biennial and flowers in its second season, or sooner in heat. Sow fresh plants each year and give it some afternoon shade to prolong the harvest.
What are the striped caterpillars on my parsley?
Black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Parsley is one of their host plants. They rarely do lasting harm; you can share the plant or move them to dill or fennel.
Which parsley has the best flavor?
Flat-leaf or Italian parsley is usually considered stronger flavored. Curly parsley is mostly used as a garnish.
Sources we checked: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Parsley; University of Wisconsin Extension: Parsley, Petroselinum crispum; Purdue University Extension: Parsley, a Production Guide (HO-202).
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