How to Grow Parsley from Seed in Malaysia
How to grow parsley in Malaysia: soaking slow seed, sowing in pots, afternoon shade, watering in heat and rain, pests and picking leaves for months.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Days to harvest
- 70–90 days
- Updated
- 2026-11-04
Yes — parsley can be grown in lowland Malaysia, but it grows more slowly here than in cooler countries and does best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Expect to start picking leaves about 10–12 weeks after sowing, and a healthy plant can then keep giving for many months. The one key tip: parsley seed is famously slow, often taking 2–4 weeks to sprout. Soak the seed before sowing, keep the pot evenly moist, and do not give up too early.
Quick facts
| Item | Parsley |
|---|---|
| Sun | 4–6 hours; morning sun with afternoon shade in lowland heat |
| Sowing depth | 0.5–1 cm, after soaking the seed |
| Germination | Slow: usually 14–28 days |
| Spacing | 20–25 cm between plants, or one plant per pot |
| Days to harvest | About 70–90 days to first regular picking |
| Container | At least 20 cm deep — parsley has a long taproot |
| Support | None |
Curly or flat-leaf?
There are two common kinds of parsley:
- Curly parsley has tight, frilly leaves. It forms a compact mound that suits small pots and makes a neat garnish.
- Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley has flat leaves like coriander and a stronger flavour for cooking. Plants are usually taller and leafier.
Both are grown the same way. Do not confuse young flat-leaf parsley with coriander — crush a leaf and smell it if you are not sure.
Choosing a spot and container
In lowland Malaysia, the strong midday and afternoon sun is the main stress for parsley. A balcony or porch that gets sun until about noon and is shaded after that is ideal. On a very hot west-facing balcony, a shade net or the shadow of taller plants helps a lot. With less than about 3 hours of light, plants become thin and pale.
Parsley sends down a long taproot and dislikes being moved, so it is best sown straight into a pot at least 20 cm deep. A tall pot or a deep polybag is better than a shallow trough. A lighter-coloured pot keeps the roots cooler than a thin black one in full sun.
Soil and potting mix
Parsley likes a rich, loose mix that holds some moisture but never stays soggy:
- 2 parts potting mix
- 1 part compost
- 1 part cocopeat or burnt rice husk (sekam bakar)
Mix in a little extra compost at the bottom of the pot to feed the deep root.
How to sow parsley step by step
- Soak the seed. Soak in room-temperature water for 12–24 hours, changing the water once or twice. This softens the seed coat and helps speed up germination.
- Prepare the pot. Fill with moist mix to about 2 cm below the rim and water it well.
- Sow. Sow 3–4 seeds per spot, 0.5–1 cm deep, with spots about 20–25 cm apart. In a single pot, sow one spot in the centre.
- Cover and firm. Cover lightly with fine mix and press gently.
- Keep it evenly moist. This is the hard part. The surface must not dry out during the 2–4 weeks before sprouts appear. Cover the pot with a damp cloth or a sheet of newspaper and check daily; remove it as soon as you see the first green.
- Shade during germination. Keep the pot in bright shade, not direct sun, until seedlings emerge.
- Thin. When seedlings have 2–3 true leaves, snip off the weaker ones at soil level, leaving the strongest one per spot. Snipping avoids disturbing the root of the one you keep.
If you prefer starting in trays, use deep cells and transplant while the plants are small, before the taproot reaches the bottom:
Watering in hot and rainy weather
- Hot spells: water when the top 2 cm of mix feels dry. Parsley wilts on hot afternoons but recovers by evening — if it is still limp in the cool of the morning, it needs water. Mulch with dry leaves or rice husk to keep the roots cooler.
- Rainy season: parsley roots rot in waterlogged soil. Lift pots off the floor, clear the drainage holes, and move pots under a roof or eaves during long, heavy rains.
- Water at the base in the morning so the leaves dry during the day.
Feeding
Parsley is a leaf crop. Mix compost in at planting, then once plants have 5–6 leaves, give a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Add a thin layer of compost on top every month. Pale yellow-green leaves usually mean the plant is hungry.
Common pests and diseases in Malaysia
- Aphids: clusters of small insects on new leaves and stems. Wash off with water and spray mild soap solution or diluted neem oil in the evening.
- Caterpillars: some butterfly caterpillars feed on parsley and its relatives. Check the leaves often and move or remove them by hand.
- Spider mites: fine yellow speckles on leaves in hot, dry weather. Spray the undersides of leaves with water and use neem oil if needed.
- Leaf spot: brown spots, often after long wet spells. Remove spotted leaves, space plants for airflow and keep water off the leaves.
- Root and crown rot: the whole plant yellows and collapses, usually in soggy soil. Improve drainage before you resow.
Harvesting
Start picking when the plant has at least 8–10 stems. Always harvest the outer stems first, cutting each one near the base, and leave the young centre to keep growing. Take no more than about a third of the plant at a time.
Parsley is a biennial. After many months, a plant may send up a tall flower stalk from the centre; once it does, leaf growth slows and the leaves become tougher. At that point, enjoy the last pickings and sow a new pot. Sowing a fresh pot every few months gives a steady supply.
FAQ
My parsley has not come up after two weeks. Should I resow? Not yet. Parsley often takes 3–4 weeks, especially if the seed was not soaked. Keep the mix moist and wait at least four weeks before giving up.
Why is my parsley so slow and small? Parsley grows slower in tropical heat than in cooler climates. Check that it gets morning sun, shade in the afternoon, regular feeding and a deep enough pot.
Can I grow parsley in the same pot as other herbs? Yes, if the pot is large and deep. It shares well with chives, but keep it away from mint, which spreads and takes over.
Can parsley be grown in hydroponics? Yes, many people grow it in Kratky or other water-based setups, though germination is still slow; start seed in a sponge and be patient.