Is Parsley a Perennial? Biennial Habit, Zones, and Harvest
Parsley is a biennial. It grows leaves the first year and flowers the second. In cold zones it is grown as an annual. Harvest outer stems all season.
Published · Reviewed by ThriveThyme
parsley harvest hardiness
Is Parsley a Perennial?
No. Parsley is a biennial. It spends the first year making leaves and the second year sending up a flower stalk, then it dies. Gardeners in zones 5 and colder usually treat it as an annual because winter kills the crown. In zones 6 to 9 it often overwinters and returns in spring, then bolts. See the parsley plant page and the parsley spacing guide.
Flat-leaf (Italian) and curly parsley follow the same life cycle. Neither is a true perennial like mint or chives.
When to Plant Parsley
Sow parsley in spring as soon as soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall crop. Seed is slow, often 14 to 28 days to sprout. Soak seed overnight to speed it up. Space plants about 8 to 12 inches apart in full sun to light shade.
In August, you can still sow parsley in zone 7 and warmer for fall leaves. In zone 6, sow now and be ready to mulch the crowns for winter.
How to Harvest
Cut outer stems at the base, leaving the center to grow. Do not shear it like chives; that slows regrowth. Regular picking delays bolting. Once a flower stalk appears in year two, leaves turn bitter. Harvest what remains and replant.
Next Steps
If you want parsley into winter, sow a fresh pot now and move it to a bright window before hard frost. For garden beds, keep picking outer stems and plant a fall round next to fall lettuce.