Italian Parsley Seeds

Petroselinum crispum Italian Flat Leaf Parsley

Petroselinum crispum Italian Flat Leaf Parsley is a vigorous, high-yielding biennial herb, prized for its broad, flat, dark green foliage and superior, robust flavor. Growing to about 12 to 18 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches, this variety is the culinary standard for chefs and home cooks alike, preferred over curly varieties for its intense, clean taste and softer texture. Ideal for kitchen gardens, raised beds, and mixed containers, it provides a continuous harvest of fresh greens throughout the season and remains hardy enough to withstand light frosts, extending the growing season well into autumn

Culinary and Practical Uses

• The preferred parsley for cooking; its flat leaves possess a stronger, sweeter, and more complex flavor that holds up well in soups, stocks, sauces, and stews.
• Essential for creating classic bouquet garni, pesto, tabbouleh, and chimichurri, where its fresh, peppery notes balance rich and savory ingredients.
• Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to smoothies, salads, and fresh juices

Characteristics

• Foliage: Large, flat, deeply cut dark green leaves that are soft and pliable; easier to wash and chop than curly varieties and far more aromatic.
• Growth Habit: Upright, bushy clump-forming habit; produces a rosette of stems in the first year and sends up a tall flowering stalk in the second year (biennial).
• Flowers: If overwintered to the second year, it produces umbels of tiny yellow-green flowers that are highly attractive to beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps.
• Seeds: Harvested in the second year after flower heads dry; the small, ribbed, gray-brown seeds are slow to germinate and benefit from soaking before planting.

Growing Requirements

• Sun: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; prefers some afternoon shade in very hot climates to prevent the leaves from becoming tough or yellowing.
• Soil: Prefers rich, fertile, well-draining soil high in organic matter; consistent soil fertility promotes rapid, leafy regrowth after harvesting.
• Water: Requires consistent moisture; do not let the soil dry out completely, as water stress can lead to bitter leaves and premature bolting.
• Spacing: Plant seeds or thin seedlings 10 to 12 inches apart to allow for vigorous bushy growth and adequate airflow.
• Maintenance: Harvest outer stems at the base frequently to encourage new growth from the center; soak seeds overnight before planting to speed up their naturally slow germination.

Shipping Info

Italian Flat Leaf Parsley seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.