Ever found yourself gazing at the produce section, debating whether to shell out for that pricey bunch of parsley? Instead of spending money on a bunch of parsley, why not find an easy and cost-effective way to grow it in your own home? Yes! We’re talking about how to grow parsley indoors.
Picturing a mini-greenhouse inside your apartment might seem far-fetched. But hold onto that thought! Imagine snipping off fresh parsley leaves from your very own plant perched on the windowsill while cooking up some culinary magic.
But here’s where reality sets in: you’ve tried growing plants before with less-than-stellar results. Maybe they didn’t get enough light or perhaps too much water was their downfall?
Here’s some great news – this time around, things will be different! We’ve compiled an essential guide for aspiring gardeners like you.
Table Of Contents:
- Essential Growing Conditions for Indoor Parsley
- Starting Parsley from Seeds Indoors
- Choosing the Right Parsley Variety for Indoor Gardening
- Harvesting Your Indoor-Grown Parsley
- Drying Your Harvested Parsley
- Troubleshooting Common Issues with Indoor Parsley
- FAQs in Relation to How to Grow Parsley Indoors
- Conclusion
Essential Growing Conditions for Indoor Parsley
If you’ve ever wondered why your parsley plant looks like it’s throwing a tantrum, it might be crying out for some sun, water, or warmer temperatures. Take a look at the key growing conditions below.
The Importance of Sunlight
Parsley herbs are like that friend who can’t decide between a hot or iced coffee—they prefer something in-between. While they love basking under direct sunlight, an afternoon partial shade won’t hurt either.
But don’t get too relaxed about this partial shade—your little green buddy still needs six to eight hours of sun every day.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t have access to the ideal south-facing windows. If that’s the case with you, fear not. Just use grow lights as a supplement—it’ll do just fine. It’s almost like having a fake sun indoors.
If you notice your plants getting leggy, that’s an indicator they may need more sun. Also, if your plants start leaning toward the window, rotate your plants occasionally.
I have to turn some of my sun-loving friends often in my home, parsley being one of them as you can see in the pic below. I need to give my little one some TLC!
Proper Watering
If you’ve ever felt like a parched plant in need of water, your indoor parsley can relate. The secret to keeping it happy? Consistent moisture. Like that favorite coffee mug you fill up regularly, your parsley pot needs its daily dose too.
Parsley isn’t a diva but has preferences. It’s not into waterlogged roots or Sahara-dry soil – balance is key here. Picture the perfect Goldilocks scenario: not too wet, not too dry, just right.
When the top inch of the soil feels dry, add some water. Just remember every time you add water; ensure it drains well from those drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Another quick tip is to pay attention to the humidity in the room. Parsley isn’t too fussy, but if you notice the tips of the leaves getting dry, you might want to mist the leaves.
I live in Vermont where the house gets super dry in the winter from the wood stove. So I need to monitor humidity levels frequently. As you can see from the pic above, my parsley needs a little spritz of water!
Feeding Techniques for Indoor Parsley
Besides H2O, your little green friend also enjoys some nutritious plant food now and then. But be careful with portion sizes – we don’t want our parsley turning into Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors (just kidding y’all 😉).
Your precious leafy baby doesn’t require constant feeding – think more along the lines of an occasional treat rather than a daily buffet. Light feedings once a month during the growing season will keep it thriving without overdoing things.
Liquid fish emulsion is a wonderful fertilizer but it can smell a little bit (and your pets might like that stinky smell like mine and try and dig into your containers so watch out). You could also try out the following:
- Jobe’s Organic Herb Plant Food
- Espoma Organic Indoor Plant Food
- Dr. Earth Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer
The next time you’re about to quench your thirst or grab a snack remember—your indoor parsley might be feeling peckish as well. Who knew plants could have so much personality?
Starting Parsley from Seeds Indoors
Growing parsley indoors starts with the right preparation. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get those green thumbs working.
Preparing Your Seeds for Planting
Parsley seeds can be a little stubborn at times – But we have a trick to help them sprout faster.
The secret is soaking your parsley seeds overnight before planting them. It helps soften their tough outer coat and makes it easier for them to germinate. Think of it as persuading the seed that yes, indeed, it’s time to start growing into a beautiful parsley plant.
You can see what the seeds look like below. These are some of my leftovers from the previous growing season.
Sowing Your Prepared Seeds
Now comes the fun part: sowing. To do this correctly you need some potting soil in pots with drainage holes (remember, no one likes wet feet.). Sprinkle your soaked seeds over the surface then cover lightly with more soil – about an inch deep should do it.
I use a bottle to spray the top of the soil so the seeds don’t become dislodged and then place a piece of plastic over the top to retain the moisture.
Patience is key here folks because even though we gave our seeds a good pep talk during their overnight soak, they still might take 14-21 days to show signs of life.
Choosing the Right Parsley Variety for Indoor Gardening
So, you’ve decided to grow parsley indoors. Good on ya. But hold up – did you know there’s more than one type of this vibrant herb? We’re talking about Curly and Flat-Leaf Parsley.
Curly Vs. Flat-Leaf Parsley
The first thing to consider when choosing between curly and flat-leaf parsley is aesthetics versus flavor. For many, the appearance of curly-leaf parsley is a deciding factor. And in that case, curly leaf parsley wins hands down with its lush green lacy foliage for decorative purposes.
If your palate is king though, Italian flat-leaf might be your winner because of its robust flavor profile which many chefs swear by. Learn more about these varieties here.
Apart from appearance and taste, growing conditions also come into play while deciding which variety suits you best for indoor gardening. Generally speaking, both types are easy-going houseguests.
You just need a sunny windowsill where they can bask away 6 to 8 hours every day. If sunlight becomes an issue or if winter days get too short then fluorescent lighting could save the day.
All jokes aside – whatever kind of parsley tickles your fancy; whether it’s for garnishing dishes, making teas or a full-blown ingredient in meals like tabbouleh – knowing what type suits you will make sure your indoor garden flourishes.
Harvesting Your Indoor-Grown Parsley
Your indoor-grown parsley plant will feel like a gift that keeps on giving if you know how to pick its leaves right. You don’t need fancy tools or gloves – just some clean hands and an appetite for fresh herbs.
Parsley likes being cut close to the base of each stem. Doing this encourages new growth while maintaining those beautiful lush leaves we all love.
Be sure to leave enough stems so that your plant grows back.
Drying Your Harvested Parsley
The moment your kitchen scissors snip off those flavorful stems, think ahead: How do I store these beauties? Well, drying them isn’t as complicated as planning Thanksgiving dinner.
Hang the parsley upside-down in a well-ventilated space until dry, which usually takes about two weeks. Or check out this handy guide on drying parsley. It’ll make sure none of your hard-earned greens go to waste.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Indoor Parsley
One common issue is the soil drying out too quickly. Parsley likes to keep its feet wet, but not swimming in water. To fix this problem, make sure your pot has good drainage holes and use a moisture-retaining potting mix.
If you’re seeing yellow leaves, there’s probably an overwatering situation going on (or underwatering if the plant is wilting). Make sure you let the top inch of soil dry before watering again; soggy roots aren’t any fun.
Bugs love munching on fresh herbs almost as much as we do. If you spot tiny black spots under leaves say hello to aphids (here’s how you get rid of them).
FAQs in Relation to How to Grow Parsley Indoors
How do you keep parsley alive indoors?
Parsley thrives with plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil, and consistent watering. Keep it near a sunny window and don’t let the soil dry out completely.
Can parsley be grown indoors all year round?
Absolutely. With proper care – adequate light, water, and feeding – you can grow healthy parsley plants indoors throughout the year.
How do you pick parsley so it keeps growing?
Cut from the outer portions first while leaving inner growth intact. This lets your plant continue to flourish even after harvesting.
Can you grow parsley indoors in water?
Sure thing. Just place cuttings in a glass of water under bright indirect light until roots form; then transfer them into pots with potting mix for further growth. Note: not all the cuttings will yield roots.
Conclusion
Growing parsley indoors is simpler than you might think. We’ve covered the essential conditions, from sunlight to air circulation, that help your indoor parsley thrive.
Soaking seeds overnight and sowing them in nutrient-rich soil will give your parsley a healthy start. Remember: curly-leaf and flat-leaf varieties offer different flavors and aesthetics for your indoor herb garden.
Proper watering keeps the soil moist but not waterlogged, while regular feeding ensures steady growth. Harvesting at just the right time means flavorful leaves ready for use or storage.
If problems arise – don’t worry! With our troubleshooting guide on hand, growing great parsley indoors becomes second nature.
All it takes is some care and patience to grow lush, aromatic parsley right inside your home!
