Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a culinary herb grown for its pungent, fragrant leaves. It comes in three main types: French (curly leaves), Italian (flat leaves), and Hamburg (grown for its root that looks like a parsnip).
When you plant this herb that only grows once every two years, you might want to add some companion plants that will help it do its best and protect it from common pest and disease problems. If you let parsley go to seed, hoverflies will come to your garden. These bugs are known to eat aphids, thrips, and other bugs that do damage.
Gardeners worldwide value parsley for its versatility and ease of growth. This flavorful herb thrives when planted beside certain other crops in a technique called companion planting. Interspersing parsley with beneficial companion plants enhances the health and productivity of all. In this article, we’ll explore the best plants to pair with parsley and how companion planting boosts harvests.
An Overview of Companion Planting
The concept of companion planting dates back centuries. Native Americans paired corn, beans and squash, a tradition still followed today. The science behind companion planting lies in how certain plant partnerships positively interact by
- Determining or distracting insect pests
- Maximizing growing space
- Enhancing nutrient uptake
- Improving flavor
- Promoting beneficial microbes and fungi
Combining parsley with its friends enhances the growth, health and yields of all the plants. Making smart companion choices is an organic, chemical-free way to cultivate an abundant garden.
Why Choose Parsley for Companion Planting?
A culinary favorite parsley is among the best companion plants for many reasons
- Its flowers provide nectar that attracts predatory insects like hoverflies which prey on aphids.
- Parsley repels certain pest insects, like carrot flies and beetles.
- It enhances the flavor of neighboring plants, especially tomatoes and roses.
- The herb helps other plants absorb nutrients and water more efficiently.
- As a biennial, parsley occupies space for two years, deterring weeds.
- It concentrates salt in its leaves, removing excess sodium from soil.
This versatile herb improves soil conditions and plant health for its neighbors, Now let’s look at the best companion plant matches
Best Parsley Companion Plants
Asparagus
Parsley planted with asparagus significantly increases the ferny vegetable’s growth and productivity. Parsley repels beetles which feed on asparagus spears.
Carrots
Carrots and parsley are a classic pair, as parsley improves carrots’ health and flavor. Parsley’s strong scent deters carrot flies.
Tomatoes
Parsley interplanted with tomatoes improves their vigor, disease resistance and taste. Parsley also attracts predatory wasps which kill tomato hornworms.
Peppers
Peppers thrive when parsley is grown nearby. Parsley enhances pepper plants’ productivity and flavor profile.
Corn
Parsley’s deep roots bring nutrients up closer to the surface for shallow-rooted corn to access. Corn’s tall stalks provide support for climbing parsley vines.
Onions
Onions and parsley are a traditional combination. Onions gain increased vigor and biomass when parsley grows close by.
Chives
As fellow herbs, chives and parsley make ideal companions. Chives deter aphids, while parsley attracts predatory beneficials.
Roses
Plant parsley around roses to enhance their fragrance. Parsley also improves disease resistance in roses.
Grapes
Parsley interplanted with grapes increases their growth and improves disease resistance. Grape growers often include parsley as a companion plant.
Optimal Companion Planting Methods
Now that you know which plants pair well with parsley, how do you maximize their symbiotic effects? Follow these companion planting tips:
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When planting seeds or transplants, alternate rows of parsley and companion plants. This creates beneficial proximity.
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Mix parsley throughout vegetable beds and borders. Its scent and nectar will spread through the whole area.
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Allow some parsley to flower and self-seed. This will distribute parsley randomly among its companion plants.
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Use curly leaf parsley varieties as edging plants and borders alongside beds of companion plants.
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Interplant parsley and its companions in containers for small-space gardening.
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Include parsley when designing herb gardens, mixing it with compatible herbs like chives.
Companion Plants to Avoid with Parsley
While many plants benefit parsley as companions, a few inhibit its growth and should not be paired together:
- Mint
- Lettuce
Mint releases oils that hinder parsley’s development. Lettuce does not compete well with parsley and will become stunted and bitter-tasting. For best results, keep mint and lettuce separate from parsley.
Placing parsley with its preferred companion plants promotes the health, vigor and productivity of all. This symbiotic system uses limited garden space efficiently while increasing yields. Companion planting parsley with asparagus, tomatoes, carrots and other friendly neighbors is an organic gardening technique that requires no extra inputs. Discover firsthand how this age-old strategy can bring you a bountiful garden.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is when you plant one crop next to another crop on purpose so that both of them get an advantage in terms of production, taste, or pest control.
Like most herbs, parsley grows best in full sun, and can tolerate some light shade. When looking for companion plants, its best to look for ones that thrive in the same conditions. Learn which herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers make the best parsley companion plants.