Drescription

If you ever want to grow a versatile herb that adds a fresh, peppery taste to your dishes, then you can't go wrong with parsley. This green, bushy herb is wonderful for its variety to fit different cuisines, but it's also super easy to grow.

You can choose to grow your parsley in an indoor container or outside garden, but either way, you must prune the plant once it starts to grow. Pruning parsley is essential not just for the plant's overall health, but for its appearance and taste.

"Regular pruning encourages the plant to grow fuller and bushier, which means more fresh parsley for you," says Sarah Rubens, owner of Seeds to Sanctuary. "If you skip pruning, parsley can become leggy and weak, and the lower leaves may turn yellow and die off."

So, how exactly do you prune parsley? We asked Rubens to share her expert tips, like the proper technique and knowing when the time is right to prune.

Meet the Expert

Sara Rubens is the owner of Seeds to Sanctuary, a garden design company in Davidson, NC.

How to Prune Parsley

Before you take a pair of garden shears to your plant and begin cutting away, it's important to know the proper technique to prune parsley correctly. Many people make the mistake of pruning too much of the plant or cutting too close to the bud, which harms your plant and stunts its growth.

Rubens says all you need is a pair of sharp garden shears or scissors on hand to make a clean cut within each stem. Then, she says to use your shears or scissors to snip the stems at the base of the plant near the soil instead of cutting off the leaves.

"Focus on cutting the outer, older stems first and leaving the younger, inner ones to continue growing. This method promotes healthy, continuous growth," she says.

When to Prune Parsley

You may be used to growing certain flowers like hydrangeas, roses, or peonies that require pruning to maintain the plant's shape, control diseases, or encourage healthy blooms for next season.

Pruning parsley is similar, but you're looking for different signs that indicate it's time to prune, and there are different reasons why pruning is essential for this herb.

While flowers mostly need pruning after they've bloomed, parsley needs to be pruned while it's still growing once the plant has become established.

"The best time to prune parsley is once the plant has become established and is producing several stems—typically a few weeks after planting," Rubens says.

She also notes that the earlier you prune during the growth, the better your harvest will be.

"Look for signs such as multiple stems with full leaves and avoid letting the plant get too tall or leggy, which may signal it’s overdue for a trim," she says. "Also, if you see yellowing leaves or a flower stalk forming, it’s time to act fast, as parsley will soon bolt and go to seed."

Parsley Care Tips

Pruning parsley is a relatively simple task that's much easier than pruning flowers. While this task is crucial for the herb's growth, there are a few other important care tips that lend a hand towards optimal plant production.

Rubens says sunlight is key to allowing your parsley plant to thrive with its growth. She recommends giving your parsley plant at least six hours of sunlight a day, as well as keeping the soil moist but not overly soggy.

"Parsley appreciates well-drained soil and regular harvesting, which actually stimulates more growth," she says. "Fertilize sparingly with a balanced, organic fertilizer every few weeks to support healthy foliage. Watch for pests like aphids and treat them early if needed."

Lastly, Rubens says if you start to notice your parsley plant flowering, then it means it's at the end of its life cycle.

"You can try to delay bolting by cutting the flower stalks immediately, but the flavor often changes once this process begins."