Parsley Petroselinum crispum
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a biennial herb in the Apiaceae family. It grows 25–40 cm (10–16 in) tall and 25–35 cm (10–14 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Parsley in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Parsley at a glance
| Type | Biennial herb |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Mature height | 25–40 cm (10–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 25–35 cm (10–14 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–60 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 80 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: leaves |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is Parsley toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, seeds
Large amounts can cause mild illness and photosensitivity in pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Parsley
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Shared pests and diseases
- Carrot fly: Carrot fly also attacks parsnip, celery and parsley; mesh or barriers protect them all. Evidence B
Questions about Parsley
- How far apart should I plant Parsley?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–35 cm (10–14 in).
- Does Parsley need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Parsley need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Parsley?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
- When does Parsley flower?
- About 52–60 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Parsley poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Large amounts can cause mild illness and photosensitivity in pets.
- What grows well with Parsley?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Parsley. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus
- Celery Apium graveolens
- Coriander (cilantro) Coriandrum sativum
- Dill Anethum graveolens
- Parsnip Pastinaca sativa
- Celeriac Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
- Florence fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum
- Mitsuba Cryptotaenia japonica