Parsnip Plant Care
Pastinaca sativa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pastinaca sativa, also known as wild parsnip or garden parsnip, is a biennial herbaceous plant with well-draining loamy soil requirements. It thrives in full sun and can be propagated from seeds or root divisions.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Parsnip?
Water Parsnip every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
What Is the Parsnip?
Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Pastinaca genus.
Parsnip displays a biennial, herbaceous growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Parsnip produces small clusters of white or yellow umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Parsnip?
Pastinaca sativa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Parsnip Need?
Parsnip thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Parsnip Prefer?
Pastinaca sativa grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Parsnip prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Parsnip?
Well-draining, loamy soil. Good drainage is essential for Parsnip to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Parsnip?
Feed Parsnip every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Parsnip?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Parsnip?
Parsnip can be propagated through seeds or root divisions.
Is the Parsnip Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Parsnip, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Parsnip?
Parsnip is susceptible to aphids, carrot rust fly, celery fly. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Parsnip Need?
Parsnip grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Parsnip as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Parsnip is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pastinaca genus — compare its care with other Pastinaca species on PlantoScan.
Pastinaca is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Parsnip thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pastinaca sativa L., family Apiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 262 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Parsnip, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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