How To Plant and Grow Your Indoor Parsley

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Notes

An easy-to-care-for plant that can contribute to the look and feel of any space is the Parsley. Its distinct characteristics make it well-loved by indoor gardeners.

In this comprehensive post, we will tackle all of the dos and don’ts that you’ll need to know to keep your Parsley looking healthy! We also have a few recommendations if you are interested in buying this plant.

What Is Parsley?

Parsley is a biennial plant from the Umbellifers that is famous for its culinary uses.

This herbaceous plant is also known as Scent Leaf, Effirin, and Coriander. It will grow well in hardiness zones 3-9 when outdoors.

Origin And Family

Scent Leaf is a member of the Petroselinum genus in the Umbellifers family. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean lands. Although originally discovered long ago by Charlemagne, the Scent Leaf has become popular among plant collectors in recent times. It can bloom with whitish-yellow flowers.

Where To Buy

Are you looking to buy a Parsley? You can find it at a nursery or a home improvement store for pretty affordable prices.

When shopping for houseplants online, we recommend Etsy– a reliable marketplace where most of our plants came from!

Parsley Plant Size

The Parsley grows about 18-24 inches tall and wide as a houseplant. This stunning biennial prefers to be placed on a sunny windowsill, preferably a south-facing window sill.

Parsley Care Needs

Most plants, including Parsley, are simple to cultivate with adequate care.

It favors full sun and well-draining soil and is known for its culinary uses.

Parsley will need watering about 2-3 times per week. If Parsley runs out of water, it will let you know by wilting. Your small pot, like most plants, should have sufficient drainage holes.

Care Difficulty

With its light, water, and humidity needs, Effirin is typically considered easy to care for. To successfully grow this plant, you’ll need to be particular with the amount of light and well-draining soil.

Growth Rate

The growth rate of a Coriander is slow. Indoors, it will reach a mature height of about 18-24 inches.

What is this on my indoor parsley plant ?? pic.twitter.com/3dOZ4eVqnG

— Barry C (@ethniccanuck) December 27, 2018

Potting

The size of the pot matters for Scent Leaf, and you should use a small option typically. Good drainage is another need for this biennial.

Repotting

Moving your Parsley into a larger container allows more space for the parsley root to expand. You will typically know that it’s time to repot if the leaves turn yellow.

It is ideal to replace old nutrient-deficient soil with a fresh batch of well-drained rich soil in an organic matter when filling up the new pot.

Soil

Effirin grows well in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. This plant likes to stay in relatively moist soil but is well-draining.

In addition, adequate drainage is critical to avoid fungal diseases, root rot, and other issues.

These are some soil options we recommend:

pH

pH for this plant ought to be around 5.0-7.0. If you’re adding new soil from time to time or repotting on schedule, the pH level would not be as important if you were growing this plant outside.

Water

The Scent Leaf is a sun-loving plant that needs moist soil throughout the year.

During the spring, your plant will need watering about 2-3 times per week. If Parsley runs out of water, it will let you know by wilting. Drench the soil until water drains out the hole at the bottom of the pot. If you’re using a collection tray, make sure to toss out the water to fend off root rot and other diseases.

In the winter, you won’t need to water as much. Continue to water your plants deeply but do it less frequently.

Light

Parsley prefers 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Bear in mind that you’re attempting to replicate its growth environment in the Mediterranean lands. Placing this plant in a sunny, preferably south-facing window works well in most situations.

You’ll know your Parsley is getting too much light when limp stems and leaves appear during the hottest part of the day. Inversely, discoloration often occurs if it doesn’t get enough growth light.

Avoid clustering Parsley.

Fertilizer

Effirin’s growing season is in the early spring. During this time, fertilize your plant once or twice using any balanced commercial fertilizer.

Propagating Parsley

Reproducing your Parsley can be done with a suitable propagation method. Here are some options to choose from, along with detailed instructions to help you out.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

The most convenient way to propagate a Parsley is by making a cutting and planting it in soil. 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date is the best time to bear a Scent Leaf. Here are the steps to get started.

1. Collect your cutting. Look for a healthy section of the Parsley’s stem with fresh growth with one or two nodes. Cut just below the Scent Leaf’s nodes with clean gardening shears.

2. Plant your cutting. Directly plant the cutting into well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter soil.

3. Maintain your cutting. Keep the soil around your baby Parsley moist and maintain a temperature of approximately 50-70°F.

4. Rotate your cutting. For even growth in all areas of your plant, rotate the pot every now and then. 

So proud of my indoor hydroponic garden. Fresh basil, mint, and parsley. Can’t wait to get my outdoor garden in my back up this spring 🌱🌿🍉🥬🥒🫑 pic.twitter.com/V7wdSsD7Pg

— Papi Stylez (@PapiStylez82) March 23, 2021

Stem Cuttings In Water

The following are fundamental steps in water-propagating your Effirin:

1. Cut. Choose a healthy section of your plant with at least one node. Trim it off using clean shears.

2. Submerge. Keep your cutting in a water-filled transparent container while making sure no leaves are immersed in the water to avoid root rot.

3. Maintain. Keep your cutting in a well-lit, with good ventilation space while waiting for roots to grow.

4. Refill. Refill the water when it’s dirty or when the container is empty. To grow roots, the plant nodes should be constantly exposed to water.

5. Transplant. 2-3 weeks later, check to see if your cutting has enough roots to be planted in the soil. 

Humidity And Aeration

Parsley is an aromatic biennial that has no special humidity requirements.

Consider the following methods for boosting humidity if you notice browning edges on your plant’s leaves:

• Gather your houseplants together to form a humidity bubble.

• Obtain a humidifier.

• Set your pots on top of a tray of stones and water. This will produce mist to form around your plant.

• Mist your plant occasionally, but not too often, or you risk inviting fungal diseases.

Temperature

Cold climates are preferable for Coriander plants, but they can thrive in a temperature range of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

They like constant temperatures, so keep them away from windows and gaps that may enable chilly air during cold seasons. Also, maintain a safe distance from vents and other heat sources that might dry up the air.

Flowers

If you’re lucky, you might be able to witness your Scent Leaf blooming with significant whitish-yellow flowers. However, this doesn’t typically happen in an indoor growing location.

Non-Toxic

Effirin is not considered toxic to humans, dogs, or cats! This means it’s a great plant option to place in your home, whether you have fur babies or not!

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

Below are some of the common diseases, problems, and pests, along with the ways to treat them.

Spider Mites

Houseplants can bring unwelcome visitors to your home at times in the form of pests. One example of such is the spider mite. The larvae will not be visible, but adult mites can be seen quickly scampering around when disturbed.

Spraying diluted neem oil on your plant’s leaves can help eradicate spider mites at their larval stage. There are also organic Pyrethrin sprays that are effective in killing adult mites. When spraying any pesticide indoors, make sure you choose products that are non-hazardous for humans when inhaled.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal infection that typically appears as round, fine white patches on the foliage and stems of your Coriander. Juvenile leaves are particularly vulnerable.

To treat, combine baking soda(one tablespoon), liquid soap (one-half teaspoon), and water (one gallon). Spray the mixture liberally on your infected plant.

It is also a good idea to keep the foliage dry by putting your plant in an area with good ventilation.

White Flies

Whiteflies are connected to scales, mealybugs, and aphids and can be identified as a cloud of white flakes floating into the air when they are disrupted.

Their larvae will eat the sap of your Scent Leaf, causing significant leaf damage. Whiteflies look like moths with a triangular shape and are typically gray-white in color.

In the case of a severe infestation, apply an insecticidal soap (or make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of Castile soap with 1 quart of water). The soap will smother the eggs, larvae, and adults. Apply during the coolest part of the day to avoid any burns, and repeat as necessary.

Aphids

Aphids are tiny insects that will draw the sap of your Effirin. Some aphids are crawlers, while others fly. They can be brown, green, black, red, white, and a variety of other hues.

Examine the underside of leaves, unfurled shoots, and fragile areas of the stem. If you notice these insects (usually in a cluster), act quickly before they spread to other houseplants!

Before giving your plant a thorough wash using soap and water, cover the soil with a plastic bag. You can also use a sponge to make sure all surfaces are covered. After washing, isolate your plant in partial shade with good airflow so its leaves won’t burn from the soap.

If the aphids come back, spray your Effirin with neem oil, horticultural oil, or rubbing alcohol. Remember to dilute these products first. 

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Coriander. These tiny parasites wear your plant out by sucking on the sap. They can also spread fungal illnesses through the honeydew they emit.

Mealybugs are round with cottony masses that appear on all areas of plants. They will either remain still or creep slowly.

To fight a mealybug invasion, take a cotton swab, soak it in rubbing alcohol, and rub it over the curly-leaf Parsley or the flat-leaf parsley leaves or any affected areas of the pant. I also recommend neem oil mixed with water as a preventive spray.

Brown Leaf Tips

Brown leaf tips on your Scent Leaf can either be caused by low humidity, underwatering, root damage, and soil compactness.

You may also need to flush out excess minerals, salts, fertilizers, and chemicals in the soil from time to time by allowing water to pass through for a few minutes. You shouldn’t have to worry about inadvertently drowning your plant’s roots if you use a fast-draining substrate and a container with drainage holes.

Drooping Leaves

Drooping leaves on your Parsley are typically a sign that your plant is thirsty. In this case, once hydrated, your plant will normally perk back up. It may also aid to raise the humidity.

Be careful! Plants infested with pests may have droopy and curled leaves initially, but they may gradually develop other symptoms such as spots, reduced development, and a general decline in health. If you suspect pests, always consider the underside of the leaves.

My indoor garden of Basil, Coriander and Parsley is going absolutely wild. Love the smell of Basil and Coriander 😍 pic.twitter.com/yxcYtOS1ol

— MelissaD 🔥💧🐨🌱💓🌍 4 x Covid-19 vaxx 💉💉💉💉😷 (@D_Melissa2) January 18, 2021

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing leaf spots on Effirin can be caused by lack of light, too much light, overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, overfertilization, recent disruption of the roots, changes in temperature and humidity, presence of pests, and many others.

If you’re confused, don’t worry! Gardening requires trial and error to figure out the ideal conditions for your plants, and even master gardeners are learning new things every day.

It is usually encouraged to prune off yellowing leaves so the plant won’t waste its energy trying to “save” the leaf instead of supplying nutrients to new leaves.

Root Rot

Overabundance of water could lead to root rot and is often fatal for the Coriander. Once rot starts to set in, it is difficult to control. Your best option is to completely cut off the root system and restart your plant like you would when propagating a cutting.

Of course, you can always take precautions to prevent root rot. Begin by giving your plant a fast-draining, well-aerated soil mix. You can do this by incorporating chunky materials that will create air pockets and allow the roots to breathe.

Next, make sure you select a pot for functionality, not just for aesthetics. The most crucial requirement for houseplants is drainage. If there are no drainage holes in your chosen pot, don’t be afraid to use your driller!

Finally, you should not water your plant until the soil is no longer moist from the prior watering. Touch your finger into the soil or use an old-fashioned wooden skewer to check for moisture.

Similar Plants

Love Scent Leaf? Here are some more plant alternatives you should consider:

Chervil – A fragile annual herb related to Parsley, chervil is sometimes known as French parsley or garden chervil. Because of the volatile oil in it, which has a scent resembling that of the resinous component in myrrh, it was originally known as myrhis.

Tarragon – A perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, tarragon is often referred to as estragon. It is widely grown for both culinary and medicinal reasons and is found in the wild throughout much of Eurasia and North America.

Oregano – A species of flowering plant belonging to the Lamiaceae mint family is oregano. Although it was widely naturalized in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, it came originally from the Mediterranean region.

Conclusion

As a popular herb for its culinary uses, Parsley is an excellent addition to your indoor herb garden. There are several varieties of Parsley and different types of Parsley, but it’s sure that parsley seedlings are easy to grow and care for. If you follow our care guide, you’ll be able to grow this plant with ease. Once you begin to harvest parsley leaves, you will surely enjoy growing fresh herbs in your home. Fresh leaves of indoor Parsley are just as good as other common Parsley available in any supermarket!

Do you have a Parsley? We want to see it! Please send pictures to [email protected], and we might share them on our blog.

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