Herb

When to Plant Parsley in California

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

California grows parsley year-round in coastal areas, and the herb's tolerance of moderate temperatures makes it one of the most practical herbs for the state.

California Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern California Mountains 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b May 1 - May 25 Sep 20 - Oct 15
Central Valley 9a, 9b Feb 10 - Mar 1 Nov 15 - Dec 5
Southern California Coast 10a, 10b, 11a Jan 1 - Feb 1 Dec 10 - Jan 1
Bay Area 9b, 10a Jan 20 - Feb 15 Nov 25 - Dec 15

Parsley Planting Schedule for California

Northern California Mountains (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 25 · Average first frost: Sep 20 - Oct 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

Central Valley (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 10 - Mar 1 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

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 California Coast (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

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

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

Bay Area (Zones 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 20 - Feb 15 · Average first frost: Nov 25 - 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 California

State-Specific Growing Tips

Coastal: grow year-round. Central Valley: September through May. Inland Southern California: October through April. Mountain: spring through fall. Parsley handles California's varied conditions well. Soak seeds for faster germination.

Recommended Varieties for California

Italian Flat-Leaf, Curly. Giant of Italy for maximum production. All varieties work statewide.

Common Challenges in California

Slow germination. Aphids. Parsleyworm. In the Central Valley, summer heat above 90°F causes bolting.

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 in California with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — Northern California Mountains gardeners work with a last frost around May 1 - May 25, while Bay Area sees frost end around Jan 20 - Feb 15. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. 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 California Planting Calendar All plants for California Parsley in Alabama Alabama planting dates Parsley in Alaska Alaska planting dates Parsley in Arizona Arizona 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

Ready to Start Planting?

Enter your zip code and pick your plant. We'll tell you exactly when to plant, start seeds, and harvest — based on where you live.

Find Your Planting Dates