Alexanders Plant Care
Smyrnium olusatrum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Smyrnium olusatrum, common name alexanders, is an edible flowering plant of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) which grows on waste ground and in hedges around the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal regions of Europe. It was formerly widely grown as a pot herb, but is now appreciated mostly by foragers.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Alexanders?
Water Alexanders every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Alexanders?
Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Smyrnium genus. Alexanders is also known as Horse Parsley, Wild Parsley.
Alexanders displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Alexanders produces small clusters of white or yellow umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Alexanders?
Smyrnium olusatrum 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 Alexanders Need?
Alexanders thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Alexanders Prefer?
Smyrnium olusatrum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Alexanders prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Alexanders?
Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Alexanders to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Alexanders?
Feed Alexanders every 6 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 6 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 Alexanders?
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 Alexanders?
Alexanders can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball.
Is the Alexanders Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Alexanders, 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 Alexanders?
Alexanders is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. 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 Alexanders Need?
Alexanders grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Alexanders as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Alexanders 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 Smyrnium genus — compare its care with other Smyrnium species on PlantoScan.
Smyrnium is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Alexanders 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: Smyrnium olusatrum 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 Alexanders, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Alexanders 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