Herb

When to Plant Parsley in Arizona

More than a garnish. Parsley is a biennial that produces abundantly its first year and is one of the most nutritious herbs.

The Short Answer

Parsley are planted in fall in Arizona, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Sep 15 - Oct 10 in Northern Arizona (Flagstaff).

Arizona Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Arizona you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a May 15 - Jun 5 Sep 15 - Oct 10
Central Arizona (Phoenix) 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 1 - Dec 20
Southern Arizona (Tucson) 8b, 9a, 9b Feb 1 - Feb 25 Nov 20 - Dec 15

Parsley Planting Schedule for Arizona

Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) (Zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 15 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 15 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Central Arizona (Phoenix) (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Southern Arizona (Tucson) (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 25 · Average first frost: Nov 20 - Dec 15

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Parsley in Arizona

Parsley in Arizona's Climate

Parsley grows from September through March in subtropical zones. More reliable than cilantro because it bolts more slowly as warmth arrives. The biennial may produce through much of Florida's mild winter without any frost protection.

Soil Considerations for Arizona

Alkaline, mineral-rich desert soils. Low organic matter. Heavy amendment with compost essential. Caliche layers may need to be broken.

Arizona Climate & Growing Season

Extreme heat in summer lowlands. Two planting seasons in Phoenix — spring and fall (summer is too hot). High elevation has traditional cold-climate seasons.

Growing season length varies across Arizona: Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) (4b, 5a, 5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 15 - Jun 5, while Southern Arizona (Tucson) (8b, 9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 25. This difference matters for parsley — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Parsley seeds are notoriously slow to germinate — soak overnight before planting. It's a biennial: lush leaves year one, seeds year two.

Companion Planting

Plant parsley alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Asparagus Corn

The Bottom Line

Parsley can be grown successfully across Arizona, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) gardeners should plan around a May 15 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern Arizona (Tucson) can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Parsley Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Arizona Planting Calendar All plants for Arizona Parsley in Alabama Alabama planting dates Parsley in Alaska Alaska planting dates Parsley in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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