Parsley is a biennial plant, which means that it takes 2 years to set it’s seed. It also means that the benefits of companion planting parsley will last for 2 years before you need to resow seed. There are 2 types of parsley, curly leaf and flat leaf, and both types will give you the same benefits.
Companion Planting Parsley
A great herb for deterring pests and for attracting beneficial insects like parasitic wasps and hoverflies. Plants that will benefit from companion planting with parsley include:-
Parsley and Asparagus
The asparagus bed is unproductive for about 10 months of the year, and who can afford to have that much wasted space? By planting parsley as a companion plant with asparagus you will maximise the usage of that space. not only that, but you will also repel asparagus beetles.
Parsley and Chives
Chives are a great herb to protect carrots from carrot root fly and for this reason they make excellent companion plants for parsley. that’s because parsley and carrots are members of the same family and are susceptible to the same pests.
Parsley and Onions
Another member of the allium family, like chives, onions disguise parsley from the carrot root fly. There is also evidence to suggest that the aroma from parsley disguises onions from their main pest, thrips.
Parsley and Tomatoes
Growing parsley with tomatoes and allowing the parsley to flower will attract beneficial pollinators to your tomatoes leading to a greater yield. Also hoverflies are attracted to parsley, hoverfly larvae are voracious consumers of aphids.
However some varieties of tomato don’t do well with parsley so keep an eye on them.
Parsley and Roses
When planted around roses, parsley increases the perfume of the roses. Parsley will also help to suppress weeds and attract hoverflies to keep aphids at bay.
What Not To Grow With Parsley
Parsley and Carrots
The dreaded carrot root fly is attracted by the aroma of most members of the umbellifer family parsley included. The problem is it is almost impossible to harvest parsley leaves without spreading it’s aromatic smell.
Companion Planting Herbs
Herbs make very useful companion plants in the fruit, vegetable, and flower garden, for more information on herbs as companion plants click the link.
