How to Grow Parsley from Seed
Family: Apiaceae
Binomial name: Petroselinum spp.
Life Cycle: Biennial (usually grown as an annual)
When to Sow Parsley Seeds
Parsley can be grown year-round in most climates. Avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather which can affect germination and growth. Use the table below to identify the best time of year to sow parsley in your climate.
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool | ||||||||||||
| Temperate | ||||||||||||
| Sub-Tropical | ||||||||||||
| Tropical | ||||||||||||
| Arid |
Preparation
Parsley plants are best grown in full sun or part shade. Choose a location that will receive at least 3 hours of full sun each day.
Parsley plants need a well drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. Prepare soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it and adding aged animal manure or compost. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
Parsley plants can be grown in containers. If possible choose a variety that’s recommended for container growing. Use a good quality potting mix and make sure your container is large enough for mature plants; a minimum of 40 litres is recommended for parsley. During the growing season, keep in mind that container grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.
How to Sow Parsley Seeds
Parsley seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing.
Parsley seeds can be sown directly into the garden OR seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established.
Sow Direct
- Sow seeds directly in the garden 5mm deep and 30-40cm apart, with rows 30cm apart.
- Keep soil moist but never wet or dry.
- Seeds should germinate in around 14-28 days at a soil temperature of 10-30°C.
- Young seedlings will need protection from pests, pets and weather until they are established.
Raise Seedlings
- Fill trays, punnets or jiffy pots with a good quality seed-raising mix, or use soil starter pellets.
- Sow seeds 5mm deep.
- Keep soil moist but never wet or dry.
- Seeds should germinate in around 14-28 days at a soil temperature of 10-30°C.
- Transplant seedlings to the garden once they have their first true leaves and are large enough to handle (usually 5-10cm tall).
- Plant out, spacing plants 30-40cm apart, with rows 30cm apart.
Parsley is a cool season crop that will bolt in very hot weather. Do not transplant seedlings or sow seeds outside in very warm temperatures.
Tip: Parsley seeds can also be sown in the less formal ‘scatter seed’ method. Simply roughen the soil, scatter seeds evenly over the surface, then smooth the soil over lightly to cover the seeds.
How to Grow Parsley
Parsley plants need regular watering during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface (test this by scratching away a little soil with your finger). Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here.
If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. In poor soil or to give your plants an extra boost, application of a high-nitrogen fertiliser or one formulated for leafy greens or herbs can be beneficial:
- Apply slow release fertiliser at the recommended rate when transplanting or when seedlings are 5-10cm tall.
- Apply liquid fertiliser at the recommended rate and frequency during the growing season.
Optional: To give plants room to grow, thin seedlings when they are large enough to handle. Pull out any weak or small seedlings so plants are spaced about 30-40cm apart.
Tip: To prolong the life of the plant, remove flower stalks as soon as they appear.
How to Harvest Parsley
Parsley should be ready to harvest in approximately 100-130 days.
Leaves are ready to harvest when they are large enough to eat, and can be harvested as needed. Harvest leaves by pinching off the outer leaves, leaving some on the plant for future growth. Eat leaves as soon as possible after harvesting. Store leaves short term in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge. For longer term storage, leaves can be frozen whole or chopped and frozen in ice cube trays.
Common Problems when Growing Parsley
Like all plants, parsley is susceptible to some pests, diseases and other problems. Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing parsley plants:
Bolting is when a plant prematurely flowers and goes to seed. Bolting can be caused by a period of extreme weather. Avoid sowing seed until after the danger of frosts has passed or in very hot weather. Water plants regularly and deeply in hot weather to prevent them suffering heat stress.
Carrot fly (Psila rosa) is a flying insect that lays its eggs in seedlings. When the larvae hatch they live in the soil and burrow into the roots to feed. Include companion plants in your garden or use insect exclusion netting over your crops to deter the pests.
Whitefly is a sap-sucking insect related to aphids. They are often found in large numbers on the underside of leaves and will swarm in clouds when disturbed. Plants may have yellowing leaves or may wilt, and growth will be slowed. Whitefly can be removed with a garden hose or sprayed with soap spray. Badly affected plants should be destroyed. Attracting beneficial insects that will prey on whitefly can be beneficial. Read more about managing whitefly here.
