Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is an annual herb in the Apiaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now grown in many parts of the world. It is a delicate, aromatic plant with feathery foliage and small white flowers. The leaves have a mild anise-like flavor, and are used in salads, soups, stews, and a variety of other dishes. The leaves can also be dried and used as a seasoning. Chervil is a cool-season crop and prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It is a short-lived perennial, and will need to be replanted each year.
Planning Your Garden With Chervil
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Chervil is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | Chervil is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Chervil is a cold-hardy herb that can tolerate temperatures as low as 25°F (-3.9°C). |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for chervil is 21 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown chervil plant is 12-18 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Chervil prefers a spacing of 8-10 inches between plants. |
| Sun tolerance | Chervil is a cool-weather herb that grows best in partial shade or filtered sunlight. It is not tolerant of full sun and can become scorched and bitter if exposed to too much direct sunlight. |
| Shade tolerance | Chervil is a shade-tolerant herb and can tolerate partial shade. It prefers a spot with some morning sun and afternoon shade. |
| Water requirements | Chervil prefers moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. It should be watered regularly, but not too frequently. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but not soggy. It is best to water chervil early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid evaporation. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer used when growing chervil will depend on the soil type and fertility. Generally, a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 should be applied at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing chervil is 6.0-7.0. |
Why Chervil is Popular
People like to grow chervil because it is a delicate, flavorful herb that adds a mild anise flavor to dishes. It is also easy to grow and can be harvested multiple times throughout the growing season. It is often used to garnish dishes, so it adds a nice aesthetic touch to meals.
Companion Plants For Chervil
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for chervil include:
Common Pests For Chervil
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow chervil, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- caterpillars
- slugs
- whiteflies
- cutworms
- aphids
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
