Parsley is a pretty universal herb – adding a burst of flavor to your soups, salads, pasta, and sauces. You can even add it to your dog food to freshen your pups breath! In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully grow parsley indoors – from basic facts, supplies, setup, steps to grow, and how to care for and harvest it.
Parsley needs an equivalent of 4+ hours of direct sun [DLI of 12+ mol/m²/day] so it can grow bountifully.
Growing herbs and veggies without soil has become quite popular It’s called hydroponics – using water instead of soil as a medium to grow plants
And parsley is one of those herbs that thrives when grown hydroponically The good news is, you don’t need an expensive hydroponic setup to grow it in water
In this article, I’ll explain everything about growing parsley in water right from selecting the right container to care tips. So let’s get started.
Why Grow Parsley in Water?
Here are some of the benefits of growing parsley in water instead of soil:
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It’s quick and easy to establish. No potting mix or garden bed required!
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The water culture is clean and prevents issues like fungus gnats.
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You can conveniently grow parsley indoors year-round, no matter your climate.
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Watching the root formation is an educational experience, especially for kids.
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Parsley grown in water tends to grow faster and produce higher yields compared to soil.
So if you want an easy way to enjoy fresh parsley leaves all year round, growing it in water is certainly an option worth considering.
Selecting the Right Container
You can use any glass container like a mason jar, drinking glass, or a vase to grow parsley in water. Just make sure:
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It’s transparent so you can monitor the water levels and root growth.
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It’s big enough to hold the entire stem without the leaves touching water.
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It’s clean and has no odor that could affect the herb’s flavor.
How to Grow Parsley in Water
Here are step-by-step instructions for growing parsley in water successfully:
Step 1: Take a Cutting
Take a 4-6 inch stem cutting from a healthy parsley plant. Make the cut right below a node. Nodes are points on the stem where leaves emerge.
Step 2: Remove Lower Leaves
Strip off the lower leaves so no leaves are submerged in water. Submerged leaves will rot. Keep top leaves intact.
Step 3: Put the Cutting in a Jar
Place the cutting in a jar filled with clean water. Only the stem should be in the water.
Step 4: Put it in Bright Indirect Light
Place the jar near a sunny window or under grow lights. Parsley needs minimum 6 hours of sunlight daily.
Step 5: Change Water Weekly
Replace water weekly to provide oxygen to roots and prevent bacteria buildup.
Step 6: Watch Roots Grow!
In 1-3 weeks, white roots will emerge from the submerged stem. Once roots are a few inches long, parsley is ready for harvest.
Caring for Parsley Growing in Water
Here are some care tips to keep your water-grown parsley thriving for months:
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Change water weekly to keep it fresh.
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Occasionally wash the container to prevent algae buildup.
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Monitor water temperature. Parsley grows best around 70°F.
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Keep foliage dry and trim any rotten/moldy leaves immediately.
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Add liquid fertilizer or hydroponic nutrients to the water every 2-3 weeks.
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Prune regularly to encourage bushy and tender new growth.
When to Transplant Parsley from Water to Soil
You can grow parsley in just water, but it’s best to transplant it to potting mix once roots are a couple inches long. This allows the herb to grow to its full size and yield.
Follow these steps to transplant water-grown parsley successfully:
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Prepare a pot with fresh potting mix. Moisten the mix before transplanting.
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Gently remove parsley from the water jar and rinse off roots.
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Plant the parsley in the potting mix. Firm the mix lightly around the roots.
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Keep the plant in partial shade for 1 week while it adjusts to soil.
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Gradually increase light exposure over 2-3 weeks.
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Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering.
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Harvest leaves once the plant is 6 inches tall.
Growing Parsley from Seed vs Cutting vs Nursery Plant Indoors
New parsley plants can be started from seed, propagated from an established plant, or purchased live at many garden centers. We prefer to sprout from seed or propagate from a stem cutting, as it results in plants that are adapted to your growing conditions and limit the chances that you accidentally bring home pests.
Parsley grows quickly from seed. Plant 1 site in a 4″ / 1-pint container. In larger containers, space sites 4″ apart. For each site plant 2 seeds 1/4 inches deep. Keep the soil warm (40-90°F, ideally 70°F). Sprouts typically appear in 14 days but can be as quick as 7 days or as long as 21 days depending on your conditions. To speed things up, you can soak them in water for 12-24 hours before planting.
If you’ve already got a Parsley plant you love (or a friend does!) you can easily “clone” it with just sharp scissors and a clean glass of water. First, cut a couple 6” shoots of new growth (avoid anything woody). Next, remove the lower leaves, so the bottom half is just stem. Place in a glass of 3” of water, making sure the cut leaf spots are underwater. Place the glass on a bright windowsill and change the water every few days. In a couple of weeks, roots should emerge and you can transplant them into your container. While using additional rooting hormones wont hurt, it’s not necessary with Parsley plants.
- Cut 6” section of new growth
- Remove leaves halfway and place them in the water on a sunny window sill
- Wait 7-14 days for a few ½ inch roots to form and carefully transplant into its final container
Live starter plants give you a big jump start on your first harvest. When you’re in a garden center – pick the bushiest plant available (tall and lanky ones will be weak growers) and give it a good inspection for pests. Leaves should be dark green without holes, spots, or curled edges. A best practice is to actually “quarantine” your plant for about a week after bringing it home to make sure its free and clear of ride-on pests. Ensuring it’s pest and disease-free it’s time to transplant your seedling into its final home.
- Remove some soil from its final planter – leaving enough space for the bottom of the seedling to be just higher than the soil surface.
- Hold on to the base of the stem with one hand, and turn the pot over while gently pulling the seedling. Giving the pot a few squeezes can help dislodge it.
- Place in its final container and fill around it with soil so that it’s tight, but not compacted.
Week 2-4: Check for Sprouts
You could see seedlings in as little as 7 days (though 14 days is more typical). If it’s been 21 days and you still don’t have any sprouts, it’s likely that your setup is too cold.
12 Herbs You Can Grow in Water! | How to Grow Herbs in Water
FAQ
Can I put parsley in my water?
Rinse parsley sprigs, remove leaves and reserve for another use. Break sprigs in half and add to the pitcher. Pour in 2 quarts water and stir. Cover pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, at which time the flavors will begin to come through, or overnight, when the water will be infused with flavor.
Can you keep fresh parsley in water?
Parsley should be kept cold and stored in the refrigerator for maximum freshness. You can add 1 to 2 inches of cold water to a jar and place the parsley (stems down) in the jar like how you would store flowers. Make sure you switch out the water every couple of days, or when the water looks cloudy.
Can basil grow in water only?
Yes, basil can be grown in water initially for propagation and short-term growth. However, for long-term health and robust development, basil needs to be transplanted into soil or a hydroponic setup with nutrients.
Can parsley survive in water?
Now Answered Parsley can survive in water but likely cannot be grown hydroponically long term. It will stay alive and expand throughout the entire growing season, though it will need to start from seed in the soil. You can then propagate stem and leaf cuttings and allow the roots to develop in water.
How much water does parsley need?
Like other tender-stemmed herbs, parsley is a water lover that needs consistent moisture for proper growth. Plants typically need about 1 inch of water per week, although parsley grown in small pots may need even more water. A good rule of thumb is to water parsley when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to the touch. 7. Fertilize as needed.
How do you grow parsley from cuttings?
All three species of parsley can be grown from cuttings or even precut bundles bought in groceries, just like other herbs. Leave 1/2 to 1 inch of the top and a similar quantity of the foliage when chopping up the root. Plant in damp sand or potting soil with the cut side down in 1/2 to 1 inch of water.
How do you care for a parsley plant?
A good rule of thumb is to water parsley when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to the touch. 7. Fertilize as needed. Although parsley isn’t a heavy-feeding plant, it will grow better with extra nutrients. Start the growing season off right by enriching the potting mix with compost or worm castings.
Can parsley be grown in pots?
Both curly and flat-leaf parsley can be grown in pots, by starting with either seeds or nursery-started plants, depending on how early you want to harvest. If you’re growing parsley from seeds, start the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last spring frost date, or start seeds outdoors three to four weeks before the final frost of spring.
How do you grow parsley in a container?
2. Use a high-quality potting mix. Standard potting mix or raised bed gardening mix are the best substrates for container-grown plants, including parsley. These mixes are specially developed to drain quickly in containers and often include nutrients to boost plant growth.