When to plant parsley?
Sow parsley outdoors from mid-spring to late summer, and indoors from early spring, about 1 cm deep: the seed can take a month or more. In Campania open-ground sowings start in March-April for summer and in May-June for autumn, and the autumn-winter cycle is sown in September-October.
When, by region
| North | Centre | South | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sowing | Outdoors from mid-spring to late summer, about 1 cm deep, in small batches every few weeks. Indoors from early spring. Under glass, from January to early April. Outside from mid-spring to early summer, at 10-15 cm tall. | Umbria's 2025 sheet is for parsley grown for seed and does not fix a month for the leaf crop. Return after at least 2 years, and no other umbellifers in between. | In Campania: March-April for summer, May-June for autumn, September-October for the autumn-winter cycle under tunnels, January-February in a greenhouse. Sicily sets no month. |
| Temperature | Germination often a month or more. Plants 15-30 cm apart, rows 20-30 cm apart. A pot at least 25 cm wide. Sun or partial shade. | As in the north for the RHS window. Umbria does not write a degree threshold for the leaves. | Optimum germination, in Campania, between 20 and 26 °C. Depth 1-2 cm. The first cut after about 80-90 days, then every 25-30 days. |
The seed is slow. A supermarket pot of parsley, crowded and meant for the kitchen, is not planted out by the RHS.
Mid-spring, late summer, early spring indoors, 1 cm, 15-30 cm, a 25 cm pot and planting out at 10-15 cm are from the RHS parsley page. January to early April under glass is from the RHS herbs page. March-April, May-June, September-October, January-February, 20-26 °C, 1-2 cm and 80-90 days are from Campania. The 2 years with no other umbellifers, and the lack of a month for leaves, are from Umbria's 2025 sheet on parsley grown for seed. Sicily's guide does not write a sowing date. Carrots, in the same family, are in when to plant carrots. The months are in the January calendar, March, May, June, September and October.
Slow to come up
The RHS sows outdoors from mid-spring to late summer, where the plant will grow, about 1 cm (½ in) deep. Small sowings every few weeks keep leaves into autumn. Indoors, from early spring, to get ahead. The herbs page adds sowing under glass from January to early April. The seed is slow: often a month, sometimes more. Don't throw the pot away early. Thin to 15-30 cm (6-12 in). Eat the thinnings.
Plant outside from mid-spring to early summer, or once it is 10-15 cm (4-6 in) tall, at the same depth as before. Sun or partial shade. Curly parsley is shorter and milder; flat-leaved has more flavour. The method is in starting seeds indoors.
Campania's months
Campania's guide separates three cycles. In the open, March-April sowings give summer, May-June sowings give autumn. The autumn-winter cycle is sown in September-October, cut in spring, and usually sits under plastic tunnels. In a greenhouse, sowings start in January-February. Optimum germination is between 20 and 26 °C. Seed goes 1-2 cm deep, rows 20-40 cm apart, 4-10 cm in the row.
The first cut comes after about 80-90 days, the next ones every 25-30 days. At harvest, the same sheet also writes 20-30 days between cuts. Umbria, in 2025, has a sheet for parsley grown for seed and does not fix a month for leaves. Return to the same spot after at least 2 years, or 4 short cycles, and no other umbellifers in between. Sicily does not write a sowing date. Carrots, same family, are in when to plant carrots.
Pots, winter, the second year
In a pot at least 25 cm (10 in) wide and deep, sow thinly and cover with 1 cm of compost. In summer, move it into shade in the hot hours, or it dries out. See the container garden. Water in dry spells, without waterlogging. How much is in watering.
Outdoors, in winter, the plant stops. To keep cutting, the RHS brings it indoors, into a greenhouse, or under a cloche. In the second year it flowers and the leaves are no longer worth cutting: keep a couple only for seed. Supermarket pots are crowded and meant to be used up in the kitchen: the RHS does not plant them outside, because of the disease risk. Slugs and umbellifer problems are in pests and diseases. In crop rotation it sits with carrots and celery, not with the cabbages.
In the app
Every plant in the catalogue has its own sowing calendar, and weather alerts for your area help you judge whether to sow now or hold off.
Frequently asked questions
When do I sow outdoors?
From mid-spring to late summer, about 1 cm deep, in batches. Indoors from early spring, and under glass from January to early April. The seed can take a month or more. Plants 15-30 cm apart.
What months does Campania write?
March-April for summer, May-June for autumn, September-October for the autumn-winter cycle under tunnels, January-February in a greenhouse. Germination between 20 and 26 °C. First cut after about 80-90 days.
Do Umbria and Sicily fix a month?
No. Umbria 2025 covers parsley grown for seed and does not write a month for leaves. Return after at least 2 years, with no other umbellifers. Sicily does not fix a sowing date.
Does it grow in a pot?
Yes. The RHS uses a pot at least 25 cm wide and deep. Sow and cover with 1 cm. In summer, move it out of midday sun. A supermarket pot is not planted in the ground.
Do I keep it the next year?
Not for leaves. In the second year it flowers and stops making useful foliage. Keep a couple of plants if you want seed. In winter, to keep cutting, bring it under cover or use a cloche.