Parsley is an herbaceous biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to the central Mediterranean region (Sardinia, Lebanon, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey). It is a bright green plant with divided leaves and small white flowers. The leaves are used as a culinary herb, either fresh, or dried and ground. Parsley is a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, as well as minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, and contains compounds such as apiol and myristicin, which have been studied for their potential health benefits. Parsley is easy to grow and can be grown in a variety of soils and climates. It is drought tolerant, and can be grown as an annual or perennial depending on the climate.
Planning Your Garden With Parsley
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 | Parsley is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | Parsley is hardy in USDA Zones 3-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Parsley is a hardy herb that is tolerant of cold temperatures down to 20. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest parsley is about 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown parsley plant is about 12-18 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Parsley is a hardy herb that grows best in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. It should be spaced 8-12 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Parsley is a very sun-tolerant plant and can handle full sun to partial shade. It prefers cooler temperatures and will do best in areas that receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Shade tolerance | Parsley is a moderately shade tolerant plant. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade in warm climates. |
| Water requirements | Parsley is a hardy and drought-tolerant herb, but it does best when it is watered regularly. It should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry and the plant should receive 1-2 inches of water per week. Soil should be kept evenly moist, but not soggy. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing parsley depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply 1/2 cup of fertilizer per 10 square feet of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing parsley is 6.0 to 6.8. |
Why Parsley is Popular
People like to grow parsley because it is an easy-to-grow herb that adds flavor to many dishes. It is also a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, iron, and calcium. Parsley is also known for its health benefits, such as helping to reduce inflammation and aiding digestion.
Companion Plants For Parsley
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 parsley include:
Common Pests For Parsley
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 parsley, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- slugs
- aphids
- caterpillars
- whiteflies
- spider mites
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.
