Petroselinum crispum

Plant Family

Apiaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Petroselinum crispum

Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE

Plant Common Name

Parsley

General Description

Parsley is a popular herb that originates from southern Europe. It forms neat clumps of leaves that can easily be harvested throughout the growing season. These have a fresh flavor and are used to offer color and flavor to a variety if salads, soups, meats and pasta dishes.

Parsley is technically a biennial, but is most often grown as an annual. In its second year, it produces insignificant yellow-green flowers in the summer. After blooming the plant usually dies.

Grow this herb in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Parsley tastes best in the first year during the cool season. In the second year, and during flowering, its leaves are less vigorous and taste bitter. The best flavor results from starting a new crop each year. Parsley is ready to harvest after 70 days.

This is a must for the herb garden, it also works well in container plantings. It is a favorite food for black swallowtail larvae, so its good for butterfly gardens as well.

Plants are commonly seed grown and planted in the ground in spring or fall in areas with mild winters. Before germination, seed should remain evenly moist.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  9 - 1

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  5 - 9

• Sunset Zone

  A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Herb

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun

• Height

  6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm

• Width

  8"-18" / 20.3cm - 45.7cm

• Bloom Time

  Summer

• Native To

  Southern Europe

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Clump-Forming

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Insignificant

• Flower Color

  Yellow Green

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  Yes

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  Yes

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  Yes

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  No

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Attracts

  Butterflies

• Self-Sowing

  No