Parsley Plant Care
Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Parsley, or garden parsley, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae that is native to the Balkans. It has been introduced and naturalized in Europe and elsewhere in the world with suitable climates, and is widely cultivated as a herb and a vegetable.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Parsley?
Water Parsley every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Parsley Native To?
What Is the Parsley?
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Petroselinum genus. Parsley is native to the Balkans. Parsley is also known as Garden Parsley, Common Parsley.
Parsley displays a compact, clumping herb growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Parsley produces small white or yellow umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Parsley?
Petroselinum crispum requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Parsley Need?
Parsley thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Parsley Prefer?
Petroselinum crispum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Parsley prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Parsley?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Parsley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Parsley?
Feed Parsley every 4 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 4 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 Parsley?
Repot annually 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 Parsley?
Parsley can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps.
Is the Parsley Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Parsley?
Parsley is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Parsley Need?
Parsley grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Parsley is native to the Balkans.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Parsley 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 Petroselinum genus — compare its care with other Petroselinum species on PlantoScan.
Petroselinum is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Parsley 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: Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss, family Apiaceae (first published in Fl. Transsilv. : 254 (1866)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Parsley is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Parsley Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species