How to plant parsley

Parsley, with the scientific name Petroselinum crispum , is one of the most valued and used aromatic herbs in Mediterranean cuisine and in many other cuisines. It is a biannual plant with a large number of beneficial properties for the body and, in addition, it is very easy to grow, which is why it is considered an ideal crop for beginners.

If you want to learn how to plant segment parsley at home, join us in this article where you will see a complete and practical guide on when and how to plant parsley in pots , either from seedlings or with segments or cuttings.

When to plant parsley

When planting parsley, we mainly have two options: get a plant or cutting to plant, which is the fastest and most comfortable method, or sow the parsley seeds in a seedbed for later, once they germinate and grow, transplant them to its final location. Keep in mind that the seeds can take up to 20 days to germinate, so we should not get nervous if the first shoots take time to appear. 

In any case, parsley can generally be planted from February to September in the Northern Hemisphere. Of course, these dates depend a lot on the specific climate of our region, and in slightly cold areas it is better to wait one or two more months before transplanting the parsley outside.

How to plant potted parsley with seeds

To plant the parsley , the first thing we will need will, of course, be the parsley seeds . We can get the seeds from someone we know, collect them ourselves or, the safest and most reliable option, get certified seeds from a professional source, such as a garden store. The latter will assure us that it is seeds without diseases or other added problems, so it is the most recommended to start with. If we plan to have the parsley in a pot indoors, it will not be necessary to prepare a seedbed, while, if later we want to transplant it to the orchard or garden, we will plant it in a seedbed.

1. Prepare the substrate: parsley needs its soil to be rich in nutrients, moist and, at the same time, offer adequate drainage. We can easily achieve this with the mix that we often recommend for seedbeds and pots: one part peat, one part worm castings and one part coconut fiber . We will thus give rise to a very light and nutritious mixture with great drainage, to which we will then add some perlite and vermiculite as a final touch to provide more support and drainage to the plant.
2. Soak the seeds: before planting the seeds, let them soak for 24 hours to promote germination.
3. Fill the pot and spread the seeds: then fill your pot or seedbed almost to the top with the substrate and spread the parsley seeds on the surface of it, about 2 cm apart. After placing them all, add another 2 cm of substrate on them and apply light pressure with your hand on it.
4. Spray water: to finish, spray water to moisten the substrate and keep it moist but always without flooding until the seeds germinate, with about three daily waterings. If you want to further improve moisture retention, you can mulch the substrate.

How to plant parsley by cuttings

If you plant parsley cuttings , also called parsley segments, both indoors and outdoors, you will save all the germination and initial growth time of the plant, earning just over a month.

1. It is necessary to properly move and release the soil, as well as enrich it with a good amount of humus or compost.
2. Leave a distance of about 20 cm between each plant, if you plant more than one in each large pot or if you plant in soil. Place the rooted cutting in a centered way and cover its base with soil so that it holds well.
3. After transplanting the cutting, give the plants abundant watering, and watering them again frequently to maintain a certain level of moisture in the soil.
4. A contribution of mulch will be especially recommended outdoors, improving moisture retention and preventing the appearance of weeds.

How to grow parsley in a pot

This plant is very resistant and does not need much care, but still, there are some things that are worth taking into account about the care of potted parsley :

• Light: parsley does not need large amounts of sunlight. In fact, with about 3 hours of light a day it has enough to develop perfectly.
• Soil: as we have already mentioned, the plant needs a lot of humidity, so the substrate must be very light and offer good drainage. In addition, it should be enriched with worm humus or compost . Quilting it is also a good idea.
• Irrigation: very frequent, especially in the summer months. Parsley may need up to 2 or 3 daily irrigations, always without flooding, to keep the substrate moist but without excess water. 

How to cut parsley to keep it growing

If you don’t know when to cut the parsley to start harvesting it, follow these simple guidelines:

• When the plant is about three months old, you can start cutting the outer stems and take advantage of them in the kitchen. By doing this, you stimulate the growth of the central shoots, which will accelerate their growth and help the plant to give new shoots.
• If you see the flower stalk appear, you have two options: harvest the entire plant or let it produce seeds to have material for a new planting later.