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Petroselinum spp.

parsley

Apiaceae Central and eastern Mediterranean

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Petroselinum spp. is a small genus of biennial herbs in the carrot family (Apiaceae), most familiar through Petroselinum crispum, the parsley grown worldwide as a culinary herb. In the first year, plants form a dense rosette 8-16 in (20-40 cm) tall of bright green, divided leaves, either tightly curled or flat (the Italian type), borne on slender stalks above a thin taproot. In the second year, a branched flowering stem rises 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m), bearing flat compound umbels of small yellow-green flowers, after which the plant sets seed and dies. The leaves carry the familiar fresh, slightly peppery parsley scent and flavor. Grown mainly for its foliage, parsley is usually treated as an annual and replaced each year, since leaf quality drops once the plant bolts to flower. Seed germinates slowly, often taking three to six weeks.

Native Range

Petroselinum spp. is native to the central and eastern Mediterranean, including southern Europe and parts of western Asia, where it grows on rocky ground and disturbed soils. P. crispum has been cultivated for more than two thousand years and is now grown around the world.

Suggested Uses

Petroselinum spp. is grown as a culinary herb in vegetable plots, raised beds, herb gardens, and containers, and as a green edging in ornamental kitchen gardens. Plants are spaced 6-9 in (15-23 cm) apart. The curled types also work as a low border, and the second-year flowers feed pollinators and beneficial insects.

How to Identify

Identify Petroselinum spp. by its tufted rosette of glossy, deeply divided green leaves, either crinkled and curled or flat with toothed leaflets, on long stalks. Crushed foliage gives off the clean, peppery parsley scent. In its second year, flat umbels of tiny yellow-green flowers and small ribbed seeds confirm its place in the carrot family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'4"

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

green

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs in the second year, generally June to August, on branched stems above the leaf rosette. Flat umbels of small yellow-green flowers draw bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. Once flowering begins, the leaves coarsen and the plant declines after setting seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Bright green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Petroselinum spp. grows in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Parsley is usually direct-sown or transplanted in spring and grown as an annual for its leaves across USDA zones 4-9, where it can overwinter for a second-year crop in mild areas. Seed is slow to germinate, and steady moisture keeps the foliage tender and productive. Plants bolt in heat or after a cold spell, so a partly shaded, evenly watered spot lengthens the leaf harvest. The caterpillars of swallowtail butterflies sometimes feed on the foliage. Container culture suits kitchens and balconies.

Pruning

Petroselinum spp. is not pruned but harvested by cutting outer leaf stalks at the base, which prompts fresh growth from the center. Taking off flower stems as they form delays bolting and extends the leaf season. Plants are cleared once they flower and decline.