It will require about twelve weeks from the time seeds are planted until leaves can be cut. For variety, try garlic or Chinese chives, which grow in a similar fashion, but have a mild garlic flavor. Plants from the garden can be potted and brought inside for the winter. Parsley seeds can be planted directly into six-inch pots, or young healthy plants can be transplanted from the garden. One vigorous plant per pot is enough.
Standard parsley develops attractive, green, curly leaves about six or eight inches tall.
Italian, or single-leaved, parsley has a slightly stronger flavor and is a favorite for pasta dishes. Leaves can be clipped about 10-12 weeks after planting the seeds. As a biannual it blooms and dies in the second year of growth. Parsley is particularly susceptible to spider mite when grown indoors. Frequent rinsing of leaves will help reduce this problem.