Ultimate Guide to Harvesting Parsley Seeds

Do you know Parsley starts to produce flowers as a tale-tell sign saying the end of the life cycle is near?

But do not frown on it because flowering also means it is time to pass Parsley’s legacy via seeds.

Even though harvesting Parsley sounds simple, it has a crucial role in deciding the successful germination later.

And to ensure the proper harvesting of Parsley seeds with a higher germination success rate, I have included all important steps in detail.

Therefore, read on to learn the dynamics of harvesting Parsley seeds and the best way of storing them.

What do Parsley Seeds Look Like?

The Parsley plant produces small, shallow seeds that you may find similar to fennel seeds.

Meanwhile, they have an easily distinguishable mixture of dark and bright brown colors with distinct ribs.

Here is a quick overview of Parsley seeds;

We all know the authentic taste and flavor Parsley brings to the food, along with many vitamins.

But do you know Parsley seeds also carry great health benefits for humans?

These tiny yet highly beneficial Parsley seeds are edible but unsuitable for pregnant women.

According to a research, Parsley seeds contain flavonoids which shows a promising anticancer effect.

Besides that, Parsley seeds and roots are used to extract Parsley essential oil.

This Parsley essential oil contains myristicin, a valuable antioxidant that helps control blood sugar levels.

When to Harvest Seeds from Parsley?

Parsley is a popular biennial herb with feather-like leaves with profound use in culinary.

With the passing of time, these leaves tend to get tougher with more bitterness.

Therefore, if you have a Parsley running in the second year, you must keep a close watch.

Parsley produces whitish-yellow blossoms in clusters during the summer season.

Do you know Parsley flowers are sacred among the ancient Greeks? Flowers were a means of honoring the tombs of the deceased.

In addition to humans, bees also love Parsley flowers and help flowers with pollination.

After the successful pollination, white blossoms fade and turn brown with progressive time.

The Parsley seeds display three different signs that it requires harvesting.

• Light green Parsley seeds come out once the flowering season ends
• Progressive browning of seed heads
• Complete dark brown seeds that are telling you it is time to harvest

Therefore, you shall wait till almost all seedpods turn dark brown to harvest Parsley seeds.

How to Harvest Seeds from Parsley?

You may harvest the Parsley seeds after the blooms are completely spent with brown seedpods.

Before you start collecting Parsley seed heads, gather Isopropyl alcohol, pruning shears, and a paper bag.

The process of harvesting Parsley seeds is a rather simple and easy task.

Follow these steps to harvest Parsley seeds.

• Inspect the plant thoroughly and select dried seedpods.
• Cut seedpods off the plant just below the seed head using scissors or fingers.
• Ensure you do not shake the seed heads and try to keep shaking very minimum as the likelihood of scattering the seeds is maximum with slight shaking.
• Do not harvest seeds on windy or rainy days, as the wind can blow the seeds away, while rainy day invites moisture risks.

You shall prune off poor or sick-looking plants to encourage the ideal quality seeds on Parsley.

Meanwhile, prioritize the seeds you find maturing faster than others, as all seed heads are unlikely to mature simultaneously.

As a result, it is better to separate the seeds depending on their maturing time.

Do you know? Lucky bamboo, Canna lily, Coffee seeds, and Anthurium seeds have similar harvesting processes.

How to Store the Parsley Seeds?

Many new plant parents make the rookie mistake of storing seeds in a plastic bag.

Therefore, find an envelope to keep the seeds safe and sound.

Meanwhile, before you store the seeds for future use, you must ensure they are perfectly dried.

You shall dry the harvested seed heads on a tray for at least a week or two prior to extraction.

Following these steps, you can initiate the Parsley seed extraction process.

• Dry the seed heads or seeds on dry clean sheets or trays and keep them in a warmer location.
• Put the seed heads in a paper bag or envelope and subtly shake the bag in regular motion to separate the seeds.
• Gently blow out the debris from Parsley seeds.
• Keep the dried seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place.

While storing the seeds, ensure the paper or Ziploc bag is completely dry to avoid mold formation.

Moreover, you can label the bag with the name and harvesting date so you won’t confuse later in the future.

Generally, the stored Parsley seeds can last up to four years, depending upon the seeds’ quality and ideal storage conditions.

Watch the video below for more tips on saving Parsley seeds,

Parsley Seed for Sale

You can easily find Parsley seeds, unlike some herbs with their rare availability of seeds.

But commonly available option often comes along with poor-quality seeds as well.

Therefore, you must choose well-renowned certified companies or nurseries to ensure quality seeds.

Here, I have listed some stores with Parsley seeds for sale.