Parsley – curly-leaved (Petroselinum crispum) and flat-leaved (Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum). Both curly-leaved and flat-leaved parsley are commonly used as garnish or for flavouring. Curly-leaved parsley makes an attractive, compact addition to borders and planters. Flat-leaved parsley forms a bigger, less attractive plant but is often preferred for its stronger flavour.
Cultivation: Parsley is a hardy biennial that is grown usually as an annual. In colder climates like ours, seeds are best started indoors about eight weeks before the last frost. Germination can be slow, taking as long as five weeks. To speed up the process, soak the seeds for 24 hours or more in warm water before planting.
Once danger of frost has passed, transplant parsley seedlings into the garden or into a container. Parsley also grows well indoors in a pot placed on a sunny windowsill. For container culture, it is important to use a pot at least 15 centimetres deep to accommodate the plant’s long tap root.
Parsley thrives in soil that is rich in organic matter and prefers full sun, though it can tolerate some shade. It must not be allowed to dry out. Fertilize plants in garden beds a couple of times a season with a balanced fertilizer. Container-grown plants will benefit from feeding with fertilizer at one-half the label-recommended strength. Fertilize every three to four weeks if grown outdoors and every four to six weeks if grown indoors.
Harvest leaves by snipping them at the base, starting with the outside leaves, and continue until the plant sends up a flower stalk signalling that its life cycle is complete. Leaves can be frozen in ice cubes for winter use. Parsley can withstand light frost but will eventually collapse in winter. Plants can be left in place and may resprout in the spring.
Parsley is host to Black Swallowtail caterpillars, which may temporarily cause significant damage.
Disclaimer: Toronto Master Gardeners does not advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. Any information in the recommended resources should be regarded as being for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any medical or health treatment.
For more information:
Herb Society of America, Quick Fact sheet: Parsley https://www.herbsociety.org/hsa-learn/hsa-publications/hsa-quick-fact-sheets.html
RHS: Grow- Your-Own Herbs: Parsley https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/herbs/parsley
University of Illinois Extension Growing Parsley https://web.extension.illinois.edu/herbs/parsley.cfm#:~:text=Parsley%20can%20be%20grown%20indoors,new%20transplants%20for%20the%20garden
University of Minnesota Extension: Herbs: Parsley https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-parsley
West Coast Seeds https://www.westcoastseeds.com/blogs/how-to-grow/grow-parsley
Missouri Department of Conservation : https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/black-swallowtail-parsnip-swallowtail
Date prepared: December 2021
Prepared by the Toronto Master Gardeners, these Gardening Guides provide introductory information on a variety of gardening topics. Toronto Master Gardeners are part of a large, international volunteer community committed to providing the public with horticultural information, education and inspiration. Our goal is to help Toronto residents use safe, effective, proven and sustainable horticultural practices to create gardens, landscapes and communities that are both vibrant and healthy.
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