How to grow parsley in a pot indoors?

1. THE FOUR MOST KNOWN VARIETIES OF PARSLEY
2. WHERE TO PLACE YOUR POT OF PARSLEY?
3. HOW TO PLANT PARSLEY?
4. HOW TO GROW YOUR PLANT?
5. HOW TO HARVEST PARSLEY?

Parsley is one of the aromatic plants that come from the Mediterranean basin and neighboring regions located to the south and east, and would have been domesticated in the south of southern Europe, possibly in Sardinia. It was eaten more than 5,000 years ago. For many peoples, parsley is associated with superstitions.

Here is the list of the four most famous varieties of parsley:

• common parsley

The common parsley is one of the small herbaceous aromatic plants of 40 to 60 cm. It's the herb that you should always have at hand, next to the worktop. To be planted or cultivated indoors or outdoors (garden, house or balcony ), in pots or in an indoor vegetable patch .

• Curly parsley

One of the aromatic herbs of excellence, with its curled leaves , very finely cut. Its stem measures 30 cm at most. The beautiful deep green of the leaves contrasts with the soft green of the stem. It is very decorative: it is often found on the edge of serving dishes. Do not leave it there, it is a very good nutritional supplement.

• flat-leaf parsley

Its leaves are smooth , much less cut than their curly cousins. The stem can easily reach 50 cm. Very fragrant : if you want to give flavor to your preparations, it is to him that you have to think. Don't forget the rod! Unattractive to be presented on the plate, it is nevertheless even more fragrant than the leaves: to dip especially in soups. This aromatic herb loves being in the sun .

• Root parsley 

One of the aromatic herbs that can be eaten like turnips or parsnips, but you can also eat its leaves! Very difficult to find, even in season: it is usually eaten in autumn, because in winter parsley is very afraid of the cold, but its cultivation has never met with real success in France. To be planted or cultivated indoors or outdoors (garden, house or balconies), in pots or in a vegetable garden in an apartment .

Potted parsley: what maintenance?

Parsley can be harvested in pots , on balconies , terraces or in urban vegetable garden . Potted parsley needs sun throughout the day. It can also be satisfied with a semi-shaded position because too much sun can burn its leaves. Indoors, we advise you to install the parsley in a pot so that it is in the shade in the afternoon. If you have the possibility, it will be preferable to take it outside or in a garden as soon as the weather arrives and then bring it inside in winter . However, it is quite possible to keep it indoors all year round!

• Potted parsley needs water especially in summer, during the hot weather. Lack of water and high temperatures accelerate its bolting, limit its development and cause the leaves to turn yellow . So water your parsley regularly indoors to keep the soil always fresh.
• To stimulate growth and leaf growth, you can fertilize your potted parsley with a special aromatic plant fertilizer in late fall or early spring.
• Parsley is a plant that does not need much care. If you grow it in the vegetable garden, remember to protect it from the cold in winter by covering it with a cloche.

Parsley bought in a pot must be repotted quickly in a new container, in a mixture of potting soil and sand. Parsley usually only lives for 2 years.

It propagates by seed from February-March. Sow the seeds in a special sowing compost then cover with a thin layer of soil. Water with plenty of water to keep the soil moist. Seed emergence takes about 3 weeks.

Harvest the leaves of potted parsley as needed in the kitchen. Do not hesitate to pinch the stems to promote branching and harvest the oldest leaves first.

Where should you put your pot of parsley?

The great advantage of having your potted parsley plant right in your house or apartment is that you won't have to worry about what season to grow your parsley in, you can do it all year round. year ! Keep in mind that parsley is a biennial aromatic herb, an herb that has a lifespan of about two years.

Indeed, unlike some aromatic herbs, parsley does not require exposure to full sun . Such exposure could even cause your parsley leaves to turn yellow, so prefer exposure between sun and partial shade.

If the plant has direct sun exposure, it is important to water it enough to keep the soil moist. Place the pot near a window to give your plant the best development possible.

Parsley develops very well from 15°/22°. You should therefore be able to enjoy it all year round, and keep your footing from one year to the next!

How to plant parsley?

Get parsley seeds that you are sure of the provenance. You can go to a garden center or on the internet to select among the varieties of parsley seeds, those you want to plant. If you decide to go online, make sure you get the best seeds. 

Parsley needs nutrient-rich soil to grow in the best conditions. Remember to plant your parsley seeds well in thick soil. Again, you can find this soil in garden centers or on the internet. Choose between using a universal soil or a soil specific to aromatic plants which will be more optimized in nutrients .

Before filling your pot three-quarters full of soil, moisten the soil with water. Once you have your moist potting soil, fill the pot three-quarters full with it. If you're using a pot with a hole in the bottom to drain the water, consider placing a saucer under your pot to prevent water from leaking all over the place. You just have to be careful not to overwater it! Of course, the larger the pot, the more the plant will be able to develop and the more you will be able to have a substantial harvest. 

Arrange a few seeds in a hole you make with your finger. It is important to plant several seeds in a single pot, to ensure that there is germination. You won't need to push the seeds too deep, on the contrary! Do not bury them under more than one cm of soil. Once you have your seeds placed in your hole, cover them with a little soil, 5mm will be more than enough to protect the seeds and promote their germination. Then spray the soil with water to slightly moisten the surface of the pot.

You can also directly acquire a parsley root ball with the seeds and nutrients optimized for the growth of the plant. It's a solution that will make your life easier, especially if you're just starting out and don't have a green thumb! Combine that with our cork pot parsley and growing parsley has never been easier!

A few days/weeks later you should be able to see your seeds germinate. The time it takes to germinate will depend on the amount of sun, temperature and water the seeds have received. Don't be in a hurry, it takes time! Just make sure the soil stays moist and you have enough light coming through.

How to grow your parsley plant?

It is important to water your plants well to maintain fresh soil , so water as soon as the soil is dry. When the plant is still at the beginning of its growth, it will be necessary to give water to the plant more regularly, without either drowning it because the plants are not fish! Thereafter, moderate watering every few days should be enough to keep your plant hydrated.

As a general rule, therefore, water your parsley plant as soon as the soil is dry to keep it moist. Water it about twice a week. The water must pour at the foot of the plant and not the leaves or the stem! By aiming directly at the soil, the roots will be able to properly absorb the water.

If you're growing multiple plants in a single pot, be sure to get your plants breathing well when they're at the stage of about two pairs of leaves. This means spacing the parsley plants at least 15cm apart to allow them enough room to grow properly. To space the plants, you will have to uproot one very carefully and decide whether to replant it further in the pot if space permits or place it in another pot directly.

Once your parsley plant has three pairs of leaves and is about 15cm tall, you can start pruning it. To do this, aim for the top of the plant with sharp scissors . Pruning the plant helps promote the growth of parsley leaves. It is an action that you can repeat every two weeks.

If your parsley plant is wilting and seems to be a little soft, it is often because the plant lacks water and needs to be watered. Do not water too much at once, it should not be drowned in addition. Wait until the water you just poured is absorbed before watering more. Place the plant in the shade for a while and remove the dead leaves to allow the plant to start on a healthy footing.

How to harvest parsley?

1. You can either cut the stems or pick the leaves directly. We advise you not to pick more than a third of the mint leaves at one time.
2. If you decide to cut the stems, it is also advisable not to cut the plant too short so as not to slow down regrowth. It is best to harvest according to your needs, aromatic herbs and fine herbs grow quickly, which should allow you to always have some available.
3. Harvesting the sprouts as you go also helps lock in all the flavor and fragrance, which isn't always the case when storing them.