Parsley is an easy herb to grow, and is packed with important vitamins and minerals. Scroll down for sow and grow instructions, as well as a list of its nutrients and ways that it has traditionally been used for wellness.
Parsley - How to Sow & Grow It
Sowing to create a transplant:
Direct sowing into the ground:
Seeds will take about 14-30 days to germinate at temperatures of 60-70 degrees F.
- Place seed starter soil into a small container (ideally, a 1" cell container like seed trays - but a small 3" pot will do too).
- Place 3-4 seeds into the soil, lightly pressing them in.
- Place in a well lit area, but out of direct sunlight.
- Mist the pot/container regularly.
- When seedlings appear and have grown to about 4", transplant into a larger container, raised bed, or the ground. Ensure that the new soil is healthy and fertile.
- Keep soil moist - Parsley likes and needs water.
- Add compost or plant food once or twice during the growing period.
Direct sowing into the ground:
- Sow in the Spring after any dangers of frost disappear.
- Ensure that you have good, fertile soil.
- Place the seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inches into the soil, placing 3 seeds per inch in a single row.
- Keep soil moist.
- When plants begin to grow, thin by removing seedlings until the remaining plants are about 8-12 inches apart from each other. Compost the pulled seedlings or plant elsewhere.
- Add compost or plant food once or twice during the growing period.
- As it grows, keep the soil moist - Parsley likes and needs water.
Seeds will take about 14-30 days to germinate at temperatures of 60-70 degrees F.
Parsley's Health Benefits
Parsley is packed with nutrients - it contains Vitamins A, K, and C (supporting immunity and eye, bone, and heart health) as well as a host of minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, and antioxidants. Along with a good diet, Parsley may be able to help maintain proper blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease factors, reduce blood pressure, improve urinary function, andreduce reduce inflammation.
In Western Herbalism and for hundreds of years, it has been used by herbalists for wellness purposes such as a dietary tonic to reduce fluid retention (diuretic), to help clear metabolic waste (alterative), reduce kidney stones, reduce the pain associated with urinary tract infections (anti-infammatory, diruetic), and a digestive aid to reduce indigestion and gas (carminative).
Parsley is safe for most adults and children. As with any supplement, one should consider any possible interactions or contraindications with medications being taken or health conditions that would make taking this herb unsafe.
Parsley can be made into an tea/infusion, tincture (alcohol extract), vinegar extract, or in freeze-dried capsules. The infusion (herb and hot water steeped for at least 60 minutes) is a favorite way to support the urinary and digestive tracts. But adding it to culinary dishes not only gifts its health benefits, but makes your food taste good too!
Medical Disclaimer
It is the policy of The Herb Society of America not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4785268/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7730503/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/parsley#nutrition
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170416/nutrients
https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monograph/parsley/
https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/parsley-herb.html