Can You Grow Parsley in Water? (Yes, Here’s How to Do it Successfully!)

Growing parsley in water is an easy and fun way to enjoy fresh parsley leaves year-round Parsley is an incredibly versatile herb that adds a bright, fresh flavor to many dishes. The good news is that parsley can be easily grown hydroponically in jars or glasses of water With just a few simple steps, you’ll have homegrown parsley ready for harvesting on your kitchen windowsill!

An Overview of Growing Parsley in Water

Growing plants in water instead of soil is known as hydroponics or “water culture.” While hydroponic systems can be complex, propagating cuttings of herbs like parsley in water is an easy introduction to hydroponic gardening.

Parsley is well-suited for water culture because it grows quickly and has vigorous roots. Once placed in water, parsley cuttings will begin to grow roots within 1-2 weeks. The clear water allows you to watch the fascinating process of new white roots emerging from the cut stems. If cared for properly, parsley grown in water will continue producing tasty leaves for months.

Hydroponically grown parsley has a few advantages over soil-grown plants:

• It’s quick and easy to establish. No potting mix or garden bed required!

• The water culture is clean and prevents issues like fungus gnats

• You can conveniently grow parsley indoors year-round, no matter your climate.

• Watching the root formation is an educational experience, especially for kids.

However, there are a few challenges to be aware of when growing parsley or other herbs in water instead of soil:

• The water must be changed frequently to provide oxygen to roots and prevent bacterial growth.

• Parsley may require additional nutrients added to the water.

• Transitioning water-grown parsley to soil can be tricky since the roots are adapted to the hydroponic environment.

Overall, growing parsley in water is a fun and simple way to have fresh parsley available in your kitchen. Follow the steps below and soon you’ll have homegrown parsley ready for harvest!

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Parsley in Water

Supplies Needed

• Parsley cuttings or an existing parsley plant
• Clean jars, glasses, or vases
• Water (distilled or filtered recommended)
• Scissors or pruning shears
• Grow light (optional)

Step 1: Take Cuttings from a Parsley Plant

Start by taking 4-6 inch long cuttings from a parsley plant. Use sharp, clean scissors or gardening shears. The best place to make your cut is just below a node or joint on the stem. The nodes are the places where leaves emerge and new roots will form.

You can take cuttings from:

• An outdoor parsley plant in your garden (ideal in spring through fall).

• A potted parsley plant purchased from a nursery.

• The stems of fresh parsley bunches sold at grocery stores.

Aim for tender, healthy stems rather than old woody ones. Herbs like parsley regrow quickly after trimming.

Step 2: Prepare the Cuttings

Before placing the parsley cuttings in water, you need to prepare them by:

• Removing any leaves that would sit in the water, as these will rot.

• Making a fresh cut at the base of each stem. Use scissors for a clean cut.

• (Optional) Dip the cut end of stems in rooting hormone powder to encourage faster root growth.

Step 3: Fill Jars with Water

Select clean jars, drinking glasses, or vases to hold the parsley cuttings. The containers should be big enough for 4-6 inch stems to be submerged in water without the leaves touching the water.

Fill the containers with room temperature filtered or distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that can build up over time. If using tap water, allow it to sit out overnight before using so the chlorine can dissipate.

Step 4: Place Cuttings in Water & Put in Light

Place your parsley cuttings in the water-filled jars, making sure no leaves are submerged. Put 2-5 cuttings in each jar, spacing them 1-2 inches apart.

Set the jars in a well-lit spot. Parsley needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A sunny windowsill or under grow lights works well. Light keeps parsley from getting leggy and pale.

Step 5: Change Water Weekly

Change the water weekly to prevent bacteria or algae from building up. Refreshing the water also adds oxygen the roots need.

To change the water, gently pour out old water and rinse the container and roots. Then refill with room temperature filtered or distilled water.

Step 6: Watch Roots Grow!

Within 1-2 weeks, you should notice white roots emerging from the cut stems immersed in water. The water propagation makes the root growth visible.

Once roots are 2-3 inches long, your parsley cuttings are ready for harvesting. But you can keep them growing in water for months as long as you continue to change the water weekly.

Step 7: Harvest Parsley as Needed

Once your parsley cuttings have rooted, you can begin harvesting!

Snip leaves as you need them for recipes. Either pinch off individual leaves with your fingers or use scissors to snip off whole stems.

Parsley will continute producing new leaves as long as the water stays fresh and the plant gets enough sunlight. Remove any flowers, as these sap the energy from leaf growth.

Step 8: Add Nutrients (Optional)

Parsley grown in plain water can eventually start to show signs of nutrient deficiency, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth.

To provide nutrients, you have a couple options:

• Use fertilizer spikes designed for hydroponics or houseplants and follow package instructions.

• Add a diluted liquid fertilizer to the water once every 2-3 weeks. A 5-1-1 or 7-0-0 nitrogen-based fertilizer works well.

With the proper care, parsley grown in water will keep producing tasty leaves for months!

Growing Parsley in Water Long-Term

Parsley can be grown successfully in water culture for extended periods, even many months. Here are some tips for keeping your water-grown parsley healthy long-term:

• Maintain a consistent watering schedule. Change water every 5-7 days.

• Monitor water temperature. Parsley grows best with water temp around 70°F/21°C.

• Keep parsley in bright, indirect light. Rotate jars periodically so all sides get light exposure.

• Remove any slime, debris, or diseased parts immediately to prevent spreading.

• Watch for signs of nutrient deficiency and add hydroponic nutrients to the water as needed.

• Transfer parsley to fresh water if the stems get woody or growth stalls. Young tender stems grow best.

• Prune regularly by snipping stems down to just above a node to encourage bushy regrowth.

Transitioning Parsley from Water to Soil

If you want to transition your water-cultured parsley into potting mix or the garden, take the following steps:

• Prepare your pot or garden bed with fresh potting soil or compost enriched soil.

• Gently loosen the parsley roots from the water and rinse briefly in room temperature water.

• Plant the parsley in its new soil environment. Water thoroughly after transplanting.

• Place it in partial shade for the first week allowing it to adjust from water to soil.

• Maintain moist (not soggy) soil and gradually increase light exposure over 2-3 weeks.

• Monitor frequently and look for any signs of transplant shock (wilting, yellowing etc).

• After a few weeks, the parsley should be fully adjusted to growing in potting mix or garden soil.

Troubleshooting Issues with Parsley Grown in Water

Growing parsley in water is relatively foolproof but occasionally issues pop up. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Slimy roots – Change water immediately and clean container with vinegar. Trim any rotted roots before placing back in clean water.

Slow growth – Increase light exposure. Change water weekly. Add liquid fertilizer or nutrients to water.

Leggy stems – Provide additional light. Prune leggy stems and propagate new cuttings for a fresh start.

Wilting – Change water immediately and check roots for slime or rot. Transplant to fresh water if needed.

Yellow leaves – Usually a sign of nutrient deficiency. Add hydroponic nutrients to water and reduce direct sunlight exposure.

Algae growth – Scrub container and change water. Reduce light or use opaque container if needed.

Stem or root rot – Remove affected cuttings immediately. Sterilize container with vinegar before refilling with clean water.

Final Thoughts

Growing parsley hydroponically in water is an easy and fun way to have a constant supply of fresh parsley for cooking. The water culture allows you to grow parsley indoors year-round. Place cuttings in a jar of water on a sunny windowsill and soon you’ll have parsley ready for harvest!