Parsley for me used to be that thing on the side of my plate at restaurants. I didn’t think much about it and it seemed like a useless garnish. Today though I appreciate parsley in a number of dishes and in the garden. Parsley is a very good plant to have mixed together with your garden vegetables. Here is an overview of parsley and some information on growing it in the home garden!
Companion Plants for Parsley: Table of Companion Plants for Parsley
Why Use Parsley?
Parsley isn’t just a garnish for your dishes; it also offers quite a few health benefits. It’s rich in vitamins A, C, and K, making it a nutritional powerhouse that supports overall well-being. One of the key benefits of parsley is its ability to promote healthy digestion. It contains natural enzymes that aid in breaking down food and reducing bloating and indigestion. Parsley has diuretic properties, which can help flush out toxins from the body and support kidney health.
Parsley also has anti-inflammatory properties. This beautiful herb contains compounds like flavonoids and volatile oils that have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. This makes parsley beneficial for individuals with conditions such as arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. Parsley is a great source of antioxidants, which help protect the body against free radicals and oxidative stress. These antioxidants can contribute to a stronger immune system and may even have anti-cancer properties.
Incorporating parsley into your diet is easy and tasty too! You can add it to salads, soups, or smoothies for an extra burst of flavor and nutrition. Recently I made a chicken curry dish and added chopped parsley as an ingredient. I also love a good lasagna which absolutely requires parsley! There are a number of Mediterranean style dishes that call for parsley too.
Growing parsley in your garden or even in pots on your windowsill is also a great way to have a fresh supply on hand. By including parsley in your meals, you can enjoy its numerous health benefits and enhance the taste of your dishes. So, don’t just consider parsley as a decorative garnish – this herb is a valuable addition to your diet.
How to Grow Parsley
How to Grow Parsley Whether you have a garden or just a small space on your windowsill, parsley can be easily grown with a few simple steps. The variety I tend to grow is a Flat Italian parsley. It obviously gets its name from the flat leaves which will differ from the curly cultivars! Parsley enjoyasa sunny location and thrives in full sun. If you are a little short on sunlight that’s OK as it can also tolerate a little partial shade.
Sowing the Seeds
For sowing seeds make sure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter. You can use a seed starting mix to begin with then transplant later. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, consider adding compost to improve drainage. You rarely go wrong with adding compost! Then sow the parsley seeds directly into the soil or start them indoors in pots. If you start parsley seeds indoors, use biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground to avoid disturbing the delicate roots. (I tend to use coir pots but peat pots or cardboard/paper pots work great too.)
For a Good Seed Source consider Botanical Interests (aff link): Parsley Seeds
Transplanting Parsley
Plant the parsley seeds about 1/4 inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually takes around 2-3 weeks. Once the seedlings have emerged, and have a few good leaves, thin them out to allow proper airflow and prevent overcrowding.
Space parsley plants about 6-8 inches apart to give them room to grow. You can interplant them with appropriate companion plants to share some of their benefits with each other. See more on that below.
Regular watering is important. You will want to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. To encourage healthy growth, fertilize the parsley plants every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer. I like using Espoma Garden Tone or Jobe’s Organic (Amazon affiliate links) for most of my edibles. Both companies produce different formulations for different purposes. Fertilizing your parsley will provide the necessary nutrients for robust foliage and flavor.
You can harvest the parsley leaves as you need them by cutting the outer stems close to the base. This will encourage new growth from the center and ensure a continuous supply of fresh parsley throughout the growing season. Parsley is a biennial plant and will produce flowers in the second season.
Companion Planting
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different plants together to benefit each other. It is based on the concept that certain plants have natural properties that can help protect and enhance the growth of other plants.
Pest Control
One of the main benefits of companion planting is pest control. Some plants naturally repel pests, while others attract beneficial insects that prey on pests. By strategically planting these companion plants alongside parsley, you can help protect your parsley from common pests like aphids, caterpillars, and beetles.
Soil Health
Another benefit of companion planting is improved soil health. Certain plants have deep roots that help break up compacted soil, while others add nutrients to the soil through their natural decomposition process. By planting these companion plants near parsley, you can improve the overall soil structure and fertility, which in turn promotes healthier parsley growth.
Maximize Space
Companion planting also helps maximize space in the garden. By interplanting parsley with other compatible plants, you can make the most of limited garden space and increase your overall yield. For example, parsley is a good companion plant for tomatoes, peppers, and carrots, as they have similar growth requirements and do not compete for resources.
What Companion Plants Grow Well with Parsley
Parsley is a versatile herb that not only adds flavor to dishes but also offers numerous health benefits. When it comes to companion planting, there are several plants that grow well with parsley and can enhance its growth and health.
Parsley With Tomatoes
One great companion plant for parsley is tomatoes. Tomatoes and parsley have similar growth requirements and can be planted together without competing for resources. Parsley can help repel pests that commonly affect tomatoes, such as aphids and tomato hornworms.
Parsley with Peppers
Another excellent companion plant for parsley is peppers. Peppers and parsley have compatible growth habits and can thrive when planted together. The strong aroma of parsley can help deter pests that often target peppers, such as aphids and spider mites. Carrots are also a beneficial companion plant for parsley. Carrots and parsley have different root depths, allowing them to grow together without competing for nutrients. Parsley can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which prey on pests that commonly affect carrots, such as carrot flies.
Parsley with Chives and Herbs
Parsley can also be planted alongside chives. Chives have natural pest-repellent properties and can help protect parsley from pests like aphids and thrips. Additionally, chives can attract pollinators, which can benefit both parsley and other plants in the garden.
By incorporating these companion plants into your parsley garden, you can create a thriving ecosystem that promotes healthy growth and helps deter pests. Remember to consider the specific needs and growth habits of each plant when planning your companion planting strategy.
Companion Plant with Parsley List
For a few other options on companion planting with parsley check out this table below.
| Plant | Benefit | How Parsley Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Repels aphids and tomato hornworms | Parsley attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and wasps that prey on these pests. |
| Beans | Fixes nitrogen in the soil, benefiting parsley growth | Beans are legumes that can enrich the soil with nitrogen, a vital nutrient for parsley. |
| Carrots | Masks carrot scent, confusing carrot flies | The strong aroma of parsley can make it harder for carrot flies to find their host plants. |
| Spinach and other leafy greens | Provides partial shade and attracts pollinators | Taller parsley plants can offer some shade protection for heat-sensitive greens and attract bees and other pollinators. |
| Strawberries | Repels slugs and attracts beneficial insects | Parsley’s strong scent discourages slugs, and its flowers attract pollinators and pest predators. |
| Chives and other herbs | Improves overall garden biodiversity | Planting a variety of herbs together can create a more diverse ecosystem, attracting beneficial insects and deterring pests. |
| Corn | Provides wind protection and attracts pollinators | Taller corn stalks can help shield parsley from strong winds, and its pollen attracts beneficial insects. |
| Roses | Repels aphids and blackspot | Parsley’s strong scent can help deter aphids from attacking roses, and its foliage may help suppress blackspot fungus. |
One More Thing About Parsley
If you enjoy watching butterflies parsley is an excellent food source for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. You should consider planting parsley near flower gardens in order to provide a food source for those future butterflies!
