How to Grow Parsley 'Forest Green'

Parsley 'Forest Green'

Petroselinum crispum 'Forest Green'

herb

Forest Green is a curly parsley variety prized for its densely ruffled, dark green foliage and robust flavor. This biennial herb is commonly grown as an annual for culinary use and as an ornamental garnish. It's hardier and more flavorful than many standard parsley cultivars.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of sunlight daily for best growth

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water when top inch of soil is dry. Parsley prefers evenly moist soil and benefits from mulching to retain moisture.

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Spacing: 6-9 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-90

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers cooler seasons in zones 9-10

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

Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Slow germination (10-21 days); tiny oval cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves with faint ruffling

Keep soil warm (65-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright light once sprouted. Thin seedlings to proper spacing when first true leaves appear.

Early Growth & Establishment

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems with increasingly ruffled, deeply cut curly foliage; establishing a strong root system

Water regularly, maintain moderate moisture. Protect from strong winds. Thin crowded seedlings. Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant has 6+ stems.

Vegetative & Harvest Phase

6-12 weeks (ongoing)

Mature rosette of dense, dark green, finely ruffled leaves; plant continues to produce new growth from center

Harvest outer stems regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering. Deadhead any flower buds to extend herb production. Keep soil consistently moist.

Flowering & Bolting

Variable, typically 2-3 months into growth

Plant elongates, sending up flowering stems with small greenish-yellow flower clusters; foliage becomes coarser and less flavorful

Remove flower stems to prolong leaf production. Once heavy bolting occurs, plant quality declines. In cool climates, can regrow after cutting back; in warm climates, harvest and replant.

End of Season

Varies by climate

Plant exhausts or winter dormancy approaches; foliage may yellow or thin out

In cool zones, mulch heavily for winter survival (biennial tendency may allow regrowth in spring). In warm zones, plant may persist but quality declines; consider replanting in fall.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Chives Dill Cilantro Tomato Carrot Asparagus Thyme

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Rue

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars; allow some to mature for butterfly production. Use row covers on young plants. Parasitic wasps offer natural control.
Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Increase humidity and water frequency; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
and
Hand-pick; apply diatomaceous earth; use copper tape or slug traps. Remove debris where pests hide.
and (fungal)
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering. Remove infected leaves. Apply sulfur or fungicide if severe.

Uses

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Fresh cooking & garnish

Culinary

Forest Green's densely ruffled leaves make it ideal as a garnish and adds bright, slightly peppery flavor to soups, stews, sauces, and fresh dishes. The decorative foliage enhances plate presentation. [source]

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Flavoring & seasoning

Culinary

Used fresh or dried in herb blends, marinades, chimichurri, and Italian cooking. The concentrated flavor improves with proper drying or freezing. [source]

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Herbal remedies & nutrition

Medicinal

Parsley is rich in vitamin K, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Traditionally used in herbal teas to support digestion and as a diuretic. Contains myristicin and apiol compounds. [source]

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Natural deodorizer

Household

Fresh parsley can freshen breath and reduce odors due to its chlorophyll and volatile oil content. Chewing fresh leaves after meals is a traditional remedy. [source]

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Pollinator & butterfly plant

Wildlife

Parsley flowers attract beneficial insects and serve as host plant for Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, supporting local pollinator populations. [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 plant has at least 6 stems and leaves are full-sized (typically 70-90 days after planting). Pinch or cut outer stems at the base to encourage bushier growth and continued production. Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best flavor. Continue harvesting throughout the growing season; plants produce best when harvested regularly. Before first frost or heavy bolting, cut entire plant back to 1-2 inches and mulch heavily in cool zones for potential regrowth. Freeze or dry excess harvest for winter storage.

Fun Facts

🌱 Parsley seeds have an extremely low germination rate and can take 3-4 weeks to sprout; soaking seeds overnight before planting can improve germination speed.
🌱 In ancient Greece and Rome, parsley was associated with death and funerals, but later became a symbol of vitality and celebration in medieval cuisine.
🌱 Forest Green is notably darker and more densely curled than flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, making it both more ornamental and more flavorful for many culinary applications.

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