Plants
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum · Apiaceae
Parsley is Germany's most-used kitchen herb — and in a pot on the windowsill a loyal, steady supplier, provided you know two things: it is biennial, and it hates blazing midday sun more than you would think. Flat-leaf varieties clearly beat curly ones for aroma, while curly parsley is unbeatable for decoration.
- Light
- Bright to semi-shaded — tolerates less blazing sun than Mediterranean herbs.
- Watering
- Evenly moist but never wet — the taproot rots quickly in waterlogged soil.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Petroselinum crispum
The variety question is quickly answered: flat-leaf parsley (such as Gigante d'Italia) has the stronger, spicier aroma and more tender leaves; curly varieties such as Mooskrause are tougher, hardier and hold their shape better as a garnish. A rarity is root parsley, grown for its savoury taproot — the greens can be used too.
Parsley is biennial, and that explains the most common misunderstanding: in its second year the plant pushes up a flower stalk, turns bitter and dies after setting seed — that is biology, not a care mistake. For a continuous harvest, start a new pot or sow afresh every spring.
As for the spot: bright, but not blazing — an east or west window is ideal. The soil should be evenly moist but never wet — as an umbellifer with a sensitive taproot, parsley responds quickly to waterlogging with yellow leaves. Like basil, supermarket pots benefit from dividing and repotting into deeper containers.
Harvest from the outside in: cut the outer stems close to the base and leave the heart of the plant standing, because that is where new leaves form. Cut the heart and you end the harvest prematurely. Use the stems too, by the way — they carry more aroma than the leaves.
For pet owners the picture is nuanced: small amounts of parsley are unproblematic for dogs and cats and even appear in some pet foods. In large quantities, however, the herb — especially the curly form — can cause trouble in animals, and it is considered unsuitable for pregnant pets. So the pot should not stand freely accessible to nibblers.
Is Parsley toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
As a culinary herb, parsley is completely harmless to people in normal amounts. In cats and dogs, larger eaten quantities — especially of the curly form — can cause gastrointestinal upset and increased photosensitivity of the skin; parsley is considered unsuitable for pregnant animals. Small amounts are usually harmless.
Typical symptoms: In animals after larger amounts: vomiting, diarrhoea and, in rare cases, light-induced skin irritation.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Choose a bright spot without harsh midday sun — east or west windows are ideal.
- 02Keep it evenly moist and avoid waterlogging because of the sensitive taproot.
- 03Plant in deep pots with nutrient-rich soil; divide and repot supermarket stock.
- 04Harvest from the outside in and leave the heart of the plant standing.
- 05Feed moderately every three to four weeks during the season.
- 06Replace flowering plants in their second year — parsley turns bitter after blooming.
Frequently asked
- Why is my parsley turning yellow?
- The most common causes are waterlogging, which rots the taproot, a cramped, exhausted pot, or blazing midday sun. First aid: repot into a deeper container with fresh soil, water evenly but moderately, and choose a bright spot without harsh sun.
- Flat-leaf or curly parsley — which is better?
- For aroma, the flat-leaf: it tastes stronger and spicier and is more versatile in the kitchen. The curly one is tougher, hardier and holds its shape better as a garnish. Many herb fans simply keep both — one pot for cooking, one for plating.
- Is parsley toxic to cats or dogs?
- In small amounts, no — a little parsley is considered harmless for dogs and cats and even appears in some pet foods. Large amounts, especially of curly varieties, can cause gastrointestinal upset, though, and parsley is unsuitable for pregnant animals. So do not offer the pot as a permanent nibbling station.
- Why is my parsley flowering and tasting bitter?
- Parsley is biennial: in its second year it bolts into flower, builds up bitter compounds and dies after setting seed — that is its natural life cycle. Flowering plants are best replaced with a fresh pot or a new spring sowing.