Like all umbelliferous plants, parsley is propagated by seeds. You get seeds by plucking them from the plant after flowering, or you can simply buy a bag of ready-made seeds. This also applies to parsley roots, which are also grown from seeds.
How to propagate parsley?
To propagate parsley, it is propagated by seeds in the second year. Seeds can be harvested or purchased after flowering. Once dried, the seeds can be stored in paper bags and should be kept away from children and pets as they are poisonous.
Propagate parsley by seeds
Parsley blooms in June and July in its second year. The inflorescences are fertilized by insects and can be picked when ripe.
The maturity of the seeds can be recognized by the fact that the seeds become very dark and almost detach themselves from the flower.
After harvesting the seeds, pull up the mother plant and compost it. You should no longer use parsley leaves in the kitchen after flowering as they contain too much apiol.
Drying seeds
Let the collected parsley seeds dry in an airy place for a few days for propagation.
Then place the seeds in a paper bag or, even better, a bag made of parchment paper. Store the bag in a dry, not too warm place.
Parsley seeds last up to three years.
Caution: parsley seeds are poisonous
Once you have harvested seeds from your parsley plants, you should save them carefully. Under no circumstances should it come within the reach of children or pets.
The seed contains high concentrations of the poisonous apiol, an essential oil that causes very severe discomfort due to contractions of the digestive organs and uterus.
Sowing parsley
You can sow parsley in several ways:
- From February on windowsill
- Outdoors from March
- In the open air from August
If you want to care for your parsley on the balcony or windowsill, choose to sow as early as possible under favorable conditions.
It is better not to sow parsley for outdoor use until August. Then you will have fewer problems with pests and diseases later.
Tips & Tricks
For people who have little time, garden retailers offer ready-made parsley seed pots. Here the seeds have already been sown at the right distance in suitable potting soil. All you have to do is water according to the instructions and be patient. Within a few weeks the first tips will appear and you will soon be able to harvest fresh parsley from the windowsill or balcony.
