Parsley Planting Guide
Parsley is a biennial herb available in flat-leaf (Italian) and curly varieties. It is a nutritional powerhouse rich in vitamins C and K and adds fresh flavor to countless dishes.
Petroselinum crispum · Herb · Apiaceae family · 60–80 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Parsley Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Parsley?
Parsley Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Parsley planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 23 | Jul 25 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 15 | Jul 17 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 8 | Jul 10 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 3 | Jul 5 – Sep 6 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | Apr 29 | Jul 1 – Sep 2 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | Apr 24 | Jun 26 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 18 | Jun 20 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 11 | Jun 13 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 3 | Jun 5 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Mar 27 | May 29 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | May 20 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | May 13 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 1 | May 3 – Jul 5 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 18 | Apr 22 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 3 | Apr 7 – Jun 9 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 18 | Mar 22 – May 24 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Dec 25 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 |
How to Plant Parsley
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Apiaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Apiaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Parsley
Parsley matures in just 60–80 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Parsley
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Parsley
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Soak seeds overnight as germination is slow. Harvest outer stems first to keep plants productive. Parsley attracts swallowtail butterflies.
💧 Watering: Parsley needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Parsley Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Level Up Your Garden
Parsley by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Parsley?
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) takes 60 to 80 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Parsley grow in?
Parsley can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Parsley need?
Growing Parsley requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.