Growing Parsley Outdoors: Flat-Leaf and Curly Guide

title: "Growing Parsley Outdoors: Flat-Leaf and Curly Guide"

Close-up of flat-leaf parsley with bright green deeply divided leaves — Photo: Unsplash on Unsplash

By Thomas Joseph Published 2026-06-10 Updated 2026-06-13 Reviewed by Thomas Joseph 10 min read

I grow flat-leaf parsley every year in the Long Island plot, usually two or three plants started from transplants in mid-April. It goes in before basil and cilantro because parsley handles cool spring soil in a way neither of those can. Most years I get a second season from the same plants — the flat-leaf type frequently overwinters in zone 7a and resumes growth in March before bolting in May. That two-season behavior is part of what makes parsley worth the planting space.

The curly type I grow occasionally for garnish, but the flavor is thinner and I don't bother with it most seasons. If cooking is the goal, flat-leaf every time.

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Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Scientific name	Petroselinum crispum
Plant type	Biennial (most gardeners grow as annual)
USDA zones	Perennial zones 5–9; grown as annual in zones 2–4 and 10–11
Cold tolerance	Tolerates light frost; hardy to zone 5
Light	Full sun to part shade
Soil pH	6.0–7.0
Water	1–2 inches per week
Zone 7a plant date	Mid-April (3–4 weeks before last frost)

Reader questions

Questions from other readers about this guide. Ask your own — if it's a good question, the answer goes here for the next reader.

Is parsley a perennial or annual?

Parsley is a biennial: it grows vegetatively in year one, then flowers, sets seed, and dies in year two. Per Penn State Extension, "most gardeners treat parsley as an annual" by replanting each spring. In zone 7a, plants started in May often overwinter and provide a second season of leaf harvest before bolting in year two.

Why is my parsley slow to germinate?

Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, parsley seeds contain germination inhibitors in the seed coat and routinely take 2–4 weeks to sprout. Soaking seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours before sowing helps leach these inhibitors and speeds germination. Using fresh seed each year is also important -- parsley seed viability declines significantly after year one.

When should I harvest parsley?

Harvest outer stems at the base once the plant has 8–10 stems. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, always remove outer stems first, leaving the inner crown intact to continue producing. Cut stems near the base rather than trimming from the top. The productive life of a well-managed plant in zone 7a runs from late April through October in year one, and from March through May in year two.

Will parsley overwinter in zone 7a?

Yes, frequently. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, parsley is hardy to zone 5. Flat-leaf parsley in particular regularly survives Long Island winters without protection and resumes growth in early March. Curly parsley is slightly hardier. Cover plants with a light layer of straw mulch after the first hard freeze for extra insurance, but many plants survive without it in zone 7a. ---

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Growing Parsley Outdoors: Flat-Leaf and Curly Guide

Quick Facts

Growing Parsley Outdoors: Flat-Leaf and Curly Guide

Quick Facts

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