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How to Grow Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley

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Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley

Petroselinum crispum var. crispum

herb

Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley is a compact, ornamental herb variety with densely crinkled, deeply frilled foliage that grows 8-12 inches tall. Known for its intense green color and superior flavor compared to flat-leaf varieties, it serves both culinary and decorative purposes in gardens. This cold-hardy biennial is one of the most popular parsley cultivars for kitchen gardens and container growing.

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Example Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply 1-2 times weekly, more often in hot weather. Water at soil level to prevent disease.
📏
Spacing: 6-8 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 70-90
🌱
Planting depth: 1/4 inch; seeds are tiny and should be barely covered

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost aged manure peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10, with best performance in zones 4-8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Germination

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with first true leaves appearing. Growth is slow during this phase due to parsley's naturally low germination rate.

Keep soil consistently moist; germination takes 2-3 weeks. Provide warmth (65-75°F). Consider pre-soaking seeds for 24 hours to improve germination.

2

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Plants develop 2-4 true leaves with characteristic curled foliage beginning to form. The compact, dwarf growth habit becomes visible.

Thin seedlings to proper spacing (6-8 inches). Provide bright light and consistent moisture. Begin light feeding with diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

3

Vegetative/Foliage Development

4-6 weeks

Plants grow bushier with increasingly dense, deeply curled foliage. Leaves become darker green and more flavorful as they mature. Plants reach 8-12 inches in height.

Pinch off any flower buds that form to encourage continued leaf production. Harvest outer leaves regularly to stimulate bushier growth. Maintain consistent moisture and apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.

4

Full Growth/Harvest Ready

Ongoing (spring through fall)

Plant reaches mature size with abundant, densely curled foliage suitable for harvest. Foliage is at peak flavor and texture for culinary use.

Continue regular harvesting of outer leaves to maintain productivity and prevent flowering. Remove any yellow or damaged foliage. Keep well-watered, especially during hot spells.

5

Flowering (Year 2)

Several weeks to months

In the second year (or if allowed to bolt), plants produce tall flower stalks with small yellow-green flowers followed by seeds. Foliage becomes coarser.

If not saving seeds, remove flower stalks immediately to extend the harvest period. If saving seeds, allow flowers to fully develop and dry on the plant before collecting.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

tomato carrot asparagus chive garlic onion dill lettuce spinach basil rose

Avoid planting near:

fennel parsnip

Common Pests

  • Handpick caterpillars or allow them to feed if you're willing to sacrifice some foliage for butterfly production. Use neem oil or spinosad as organic spray alternatives.

  • Increase humidity by misting foliage; spray with water to dislodge. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is severe.

  • Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs. Apply neem oil if needed.

  • Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and control. Spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

  • and

    Remove by hand in early morning or evening. Use beer traps or copper barriers. Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth around plants.

Uses

🍳

Fresh herb for cooking and garnish

Culinary

Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley is prized for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and attractive appearance. Use fresh in soups, stews, salads, sauces, pasta dishes, and as a garnish for nearly any savory dish. [source]

🍳

Herbal infusions and compound butters

Culinary

Fresh parsley makes flavorful herbal teas and butter, and is a key ingredient in traditional French fines herbes blends and chimichurri sauce. [source]

💊

Nutritional and digestive support

Medicinal

Parsley is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. Traditionally used to support digestion, reduce bloating, and provide breath freshening properties. [source]

🏠

Natural breath freshener

Household

The chlorophyll and volatile oils in parsley naturally freshen breath and can help mask strong odors from garlic and onion consumption. [source]

🎨

Ornamental garden specimen

Craft

The densely curled, bright green foliage makes Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley attractive for decorative edible borders, containers, and hanging baskets. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting when plants have at least 6-8 leaves, typically 70-90 days after planting. Pinch or cut outer stems first, working toward the center—this stimulates bushier growth and extends the harvest season. Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best flavor. Cut stems just above a leaf node. Harvest regularly (2-3 times weekly) to prevent flowering and maintain tender, flavorful foliage. In frost-prone areas, harvest all usable foliage before the first hard freeze, or mulch heavily for cool-season regrowth.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Parsley was sacred to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used it in wreaths and crowns for athletes and warriors, believing it enhanced vitality.
  • 🌱 The distinctive curly foliage of this variety serves as natural camouflage for the Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar, making parsley an excellent plant for supporting pollinator populations.
  • 🌱 Parsley is a biennial, meaning it produces foliage the first year and flowers/seeds the second year—many gardeners simply replant annually for best results rather than managing the seed cycle.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Biennial Bolt Cultivar Full Sun Germination Mulch Partial Shade pH True Leaves
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