Growing Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley): A Complete Profile
By Growing Home Greens Team · August 10, 2026
Parsley root, also called Hamburg parsley, is grown for its long, white, parsnip-like root rather than its leaves, though the foliage is edible too and tastes just like standard parsley.
Patience during germination
Direct-seed only, sown in early to midspring after frost danger passes, a quarter to a half inch deep, 1 to 2 seeds per inch in rows or bands 12 to 18 inches apart. Germination takes a long time, 14 to 30 days, so keep the seedbed consistently moist and don’t assume a bare bed after two weeks means the sowing failed. Thin to 1 to 3 inches apart depending on the root size wanted.
Cold-hardy in the ground
This plant handles cold well and can withstand some freezing while still in the field, making it a reasonable crop to leave in the ground into the colder part of the season rather than rushing the harvest.
Harvest and storage
Loosen the soil with a spading fork and lift roots once they’ve reached the desired size. Trim the tops and store at 32°F and 95 percent relative humidity, the same conditions as other winter storage roots.
Parsley root has no recorded companions or antagonists in our data. See the full companion guide for parsley root for how it’s tracked. At 9 plants per square foot, it fits well in a root-crop row in the Garden Designer, planned alongside carrots and parsnips that share similar germination patience.
Source: Root Parsley: Key Growing Information, Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
Companion planting guide for Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley) · Find your planting dates
Typically viable in USDA zones 2-11. Not sure your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley) doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
See exact start-indoors, direct-sow, and harvest dates for your zone →
How many Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley) plants fit per square foot?
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Varieties worth considering
- 'Arat' parsley root: Johnny's Selected Seeds recommends this as producing long, straight, white roots that lend parsley flavor to soups and salads, their primary parsley root offering. (source)
Cited from the source shown next to each variety. We haven't grown these ourselves yet, so treat this as a research-backed starting point, not a personal endorsement.
Where to buy parsley root seeds
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing parsley root (hamburg parsley)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Parsley Root (Hamburg Parsley): Grown for its long, white, parsnip-like root rather than its leaves, though the foliage is edible too and tastes like standard parsley.
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