How to grow parsley indoors in pots?
Growing aromatic herbs at home is a very simple task that requires almost no effort. After explaining how to grow some of the most popular species, let’s move on to another important plant that you should definitely have in your kitchen. Let’s see how to grow parsley in a pot so you always have it on hand!
The Complete Guide to Growing Parsley in an Apartment
Parsley is the flagship of our kitchens and we use it in all our recipes, from the simplest to the most elaborate! It’s no secret that it is a must-have all year round. So what can you do to have it on hand every day? We started growing parsley at home because there is nothing complicated. In fact, potted herbs have been in fashion lately and are also used as natural interior decoration. Don’t wait any longer and discover our complete guide to always fresh parsley!
Plant
To successfully plant your parsley, you must first follow two important tips. First of all, parsley is a biennial plant, but it must be grown for one year as it loses its flavor in the second year. This means you must grow it from seed every year. And secondly, you need to choose the right container: a fairly wide pot with holes in the bottom for good drainage, as well as a saucer to collect excess water. Start planting in early spring.
Once you have the essentials, get some potting soil for herbs, preferably organic soil, and place it in your chosen container. Sow the seeds about 2 cm deep and water them. It is necessary to water regularly since the soil must be moist but not waterlogged. After three weeks, your seedlings will begin to appear. If the seedlings are numerous, it is best to thin them by cutting off the excess with sharp scissors or pinching with your fingers. Do not remove them as this could damage the main roots of surrounding plants.
Growing parsley indoors is a very simple task, especially when it comes to the location of the plant. According to experts, the best place to store it is in the kitchen, on the windowsill, where cooking steam and frequent use of water contribute to humidity. If you place the potted parsley in another room, you will need to mist it occasionally.
Growing parsley in a pot: mastering watering
After planting the parsley in a pot and placing it in its place, it is necessary to control the watering to enjoy a fresh and healthy aromatic herb. When watering, the main thing is to keep the soil slightly moist and empty the saucer so that the roots do not remain in the water. If your plant grows in the kitchen, the humidity will be high and light watering (with little water) will be necessary. On the other hand, if your parsley is in another location, you will need to water it from time to time, especially if the leaves appear dry. Don’t forget to empty the saucer after each watering.
fertilizer
Parsley needs to be fertilized regularly during its growth phase. Professional gardeners recommend using a high-quality water-soluble fertilizer that you can apply every two weeks when watering.
Our advice: Use natural, homemade fertilizer because it is practical, economical and 100% natural.
Harvest and storage
Parsley harvesting can begin when it has developed true leaves. It is best to wait until there are at least 10 specimens to harvest to ensure the plant is strong enough to survive leaf removal. Harvest parsley as desired, removing only the leaves from the outside of the plant. Be careful not to harvest more than half of the plant. It is best to pick a few small branches regularly to encourage new growth and ensure a continuous supply of leaves.
As for storage, freshly cut parsley can be stored like flowers in a glass of water or in the refrigerator, but placed between two damp paper towels. If you want to preserve parsley long term, you have two options:
Wash the parsley leaves carefully and dry with absorbent paper. Wait about 30 minutes until the parsley is dry but not dehydrated and place the leaves in freezer bags. Then put them in the freezer.
The second option is to follow all the steps above, but the parsley must be dried completely in a dehydrator or outdoors. Store it in an airtight glass jar.
Keep in mind that dried or frozen parsley is boring for a salad, but works well for preparing various dishes.
Our clever tips for growing parsley in pots indoors
To successfully grow parsley in pots, it is important to remember some good gestures. First, consider soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting. Then dry carefully and sow in rows at a distance of 20 cm. Secondly, beware of unwanted marriages! If you have decided to combine aromatic plants in a pot, you should know that parsley combines well with chives, sorrel and basil.