Can parsley be grown in containers successfully?

Growing parsley in pots allows both novice and skilled herb gardeners convenience and flexibility. As an urban herb expert with over ten years of experience increasing parsley on balconies, windowsills, and patios, I can tell you that you'll need pots that are at least 8 inches deep, have drainage holes, and use quality potting mix. Container gardening allows mobility to follow the sun and makes pest control easier, as well as the easy transition of moving parsley indoors over the winter.

Sunlight optimization is essential for container parsley success. Place pots where they receive 5-6 hours of bright, direct light. My balcony pots follow the path of the sun across the sky from east → west. If you live in a hot climate like mine, use shade cloth during the hottest part of the day. Indoors, south-facing windows work well, supplemented with grow lights for 12-14 hours daily.

Water management is very different than ground planting. Inspect soil moisture daily by inserting your finger two inches into the soil. Water until it drains out the bottom, and remember to empty saucers after to avoid root rot. During heat waves, I have and still adhere to watering twice daily, focusing on early morning and evening only.

Root Maintenance is the key to long-term success with containers. Every spring, I carefully prune circling roots and refresh the top third of the soil. This incites new growth and inhibits binding. For perennial plants, I repot every 18 months in a container size that is increased by 2 inches each time.

Winter growing is easy with containers. When temperatures dip below 45°F, move pots inside (by bright windows). This is how I keep harvests continuous throughout the year. Water less frequently, but increase humidity with pebble trays to combat dry air indoors.

Read the full article: How to Grow Parsley: Complete Expert Guide