Australian Parsley Plant Care

Australian Parsley (Aphanes australis) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Aphanes genus. Australian Parsley is native to acid grassland and on bare ground throughout western Europe and which has spread to other parts of the world with agriculture. Australian Parsley is also known as Australian Field Parsley.

Australian Parsley displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Australian Parsley produces tiny inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Australian Parsley every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Australian Parsley thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Aphanes australis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Australian Parsley prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Australian Parsley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Australian Parsley every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Australian Parsley is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Australian Parsley can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Australian Parsley while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Australian Parsley is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Australian Parsley can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to field parsley plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Australian Parsley is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Australian Parsley grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Australian Parsley is native to acid grassland and on bare ground throughout western Europe and which has spread to other parts of the world with agriculture. In cooler regions, grow Australian Parsley as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.