How to Grow Parsley

Beginner-Friendly

Petroselinum crispum

A biennial herb grown as an annual. Both flat-leaf and curly varieties available. Slow to germinate but very productive.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
70–90 days
typical
Per Square Foot
4
Plant Spacing
15 cm / 6"
Sun
4+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
moderate feeder

Growing Notes

Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed germination. Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Biennial — bolts in second year.

Varieties & Cultivars

5 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Curling leaf variety

(1)
Bright Piano
70–85 days Open-Pollinated

good for garnish; milder flavour; attractive appearance

Height
6–12" (15–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.4 oz (10 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
2 years

Flat-leaf Italian type

(1)
Arkansas Flat
70–85 days Open-Pollinated

good for cooking; slow bolting; good cut-and-come-again

Height
6–12" (15–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.4 oz (12 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
2 years

Italian flat-leaf

(1)
Giant of Italy
70–80 days Open-Pollinated

strong sweet flavour; preferred for cooking

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.5 oz (15 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
2 years

Root parsley

(1)
Hamburg
75–90 days Open-Pollinated

also has usable flat leaves; dual-purpose

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.8 oz (80 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
2 years

Tightly curled decorative leaves

(1)
Moss Curled
70–80 days Open-Pollinated

classic garnish variety

Height
8–14" (20–36 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.5 oz (15 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
2 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside parsley, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Corn : Parsley attracts beneficial insects near corn
Tomato : Parsley attracts hoverflies that eat tomato aphids
Asparagus : Parsley attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover around asparagus crowns
Leek : Parsley attracts beneficial insects that help protect leeks
Pepper : Parsley attracts beneficial insects near peppers

Keep Apart

Square Foot Spacing

4 per sq ft

6" apart (2×2 grid)

View full spacing chart →

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