🌿 Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

herbs Biennial herb (usually grown as annual) Apiaceae

☀️ Sun

Full sun to partial shade; 4-6 hours minimum.

💧 Water

Consistent moisture; do not let soil dry completely. Mulch helps.

🗺️ Zones

USDA zones 4-9 as biennial; grown as annual in most areas

🧪 Soil pH

6.0-7.0 (prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil)

🪴 Soil Type

Rich, well-draining, moist; pH 6.0-7.0. Add compost. Slow to germinate.

📏 Spacing

6-10 inches apart

📐 Height

12-18 inches (curly); 18-24 inches (Italian flat-leaf)

⏱️ Maturity

70-90 days from seed (slow germination: 14-28 days)

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ Leaves 🍽️ Stems 🍽️ Root (Hamburg parsley variety)

Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone

🤝 Companions (7)

🤝 Asparagus

Parsley and asparagus are classic companions; parsley repels asparagus beetles.

🤝 Carrots

Related plants; parsley attracts some carrot pests away from carrots (trap crop effect).

🤝 Chives

Chives repel aphids that might target parsley; complementary growing needs.

🤝 Corn

Parsley provides ground cover, retains soil moisture, and attracts beneficial insects.

🤝 Roses

Parsley is said to enhance rose fragrance and repel rose pests.

🤝 Tomato

Parsley thrives in the partial shade cast by tomato plants; attracts hoverflies whose larvae consume aphids. A classic companion pair recommended by extension services and the Almanac.

⚠️ Keep Apart (6)

⚠️ Allium family (controversial)

Some gardeners report reduced parsley growth near onions , evidence mixed.

⚠️ Garlic

Mutual growth inhibition , garlic and parsley stunt each other's development when planted in close proximity.

⚠️ Lettuce

Parsley can cause lettuce to bolt prematurely through root interactions.

⚠️ Mint

Mint's aggressive spreading overwhelms parsley.

⚠️ Spearmint

Spearmint and parsley are incompatible , competing nutrients, shared disease risks, or allelopathic interference.

💊 Medicinal Uses

Conditions Treated

💊 Urinary tract infections and bladder health (mild diuretic and antimicrobial) 💊 Kidney stones (may help prevent calcium oxalate stones) 💊 Water retention and edema (potent natural diuretic) 💊 Bad breath (chlorophyll-rich , natural deodorizer) 💊 Digestive issues (gas, bloating, indigestion) 💊 Menstrual disorders (emmenagogue , promotes menstrual flow) 💊 Anemia (high in iron and vitamin C for absorption) 💊 Arthritis and rheumatism (anti-inflammatory)

Preparation Methods

Parsley tea: 2 tsp fresh/dried leaves steeped 10 min; 2-3 cups daily for UTI and water retention
Fresh juice: Small amounts of parsley juice for kidney cleansing (use cautiously)
Tincture: 1:5 in 40% alcohol; 2-4ml 3x daily as diuretic
Poultice: Crushed fresh leaves applied to insect bites and bruises
Culinary: Regular dietary inclusion; chew fresh leaves for bad breath
Infused oil: Parsley seed oil (very potent , professional use only)

Active Compounds

⚗️ Apiol ⚗️ Myristicin ⚗️ Flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin) ⚗️ Vitamin C ⚗️ Furanocoumarins

⚠️ Safety

DO NOT use medicinal doses during pregnancy (apiol is a uterine stimulant and can cause miscarriage). Avoid large medicinal doses while breastfeeding. Parsley seed oil is TOXIC , contains high apiol/myristicin; never ingest. High doses of parsley tea may cause kidney irritation in susceptible people. Photosensitizing , may increase sun sensitivity.

📜 History & Folklore

🏛️ Ancient

Greeks associated parsley with death; used on tombs ('de's need of parsley' meant someone near death). Romans wore parsley at feasts to prevent intoxication and aid digestion. Not eaten, only used ceremonially and medicinally.

🏰 Medieval

Associated with death and the underworld in European folklore , 'parsley goes to the devil and back seven times' explaining slow germination. Used in medieval medicine for 'gravel' (kidney stones) and dropsy (edema).

🌿 Folk Medicine

Traditional European remedy for 'spring tonics' , parsley as a blood purifier after winter. Used to 'bring on delayed menses.' Parsley tea for water retention. The root (Hamburg parsley) was cooked as a medicinal vegetable for urinary complaints.

🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Johnny's Selected Seeds Botanical Interests True Leaf Market Burpee Territorial Seed Company

Plot Buddies is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our plant recommendations. We only link to retailers we trust.