Grow Chervil herbs from freshly harvested Anthriscus cerefolium herb seeds. Chervil is often referred to as French Parsley and it is sought after for both its medicinal & culinary uses. Its leaves are dark green and resemble that of actual Parsley leaves. The plants will produce small, white flowers through the summer months, which can be cut to encourage leaf growth.
Chervil is mainly used for its roots and leaves. Its roots can be harvested in mid-summer, to store later for soups, while its leaves are harvested for salads and soups as well. Grown as an annual herb, Chervil will grow for a single growing season. They establish quickly, serving their purpose of harvesting and will later die with the first frost. Before the winter sets in, you can bring it into the house to save your already established Chervil plants.
Quick Facts
- Type: Herb
- Season: Annual
- Heirloom: Yes
- Color: Green Leaves
- Height: 18″ Tall
- Width: 12″ to 18″ Spread
- Harvest: 60 Days
- Uses: Medicinal / Culinary
- Environment: Light Shade
Sowing The Seed
Chervil seeds are best established directly outdoors, when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Begin by clearing your sowing area of all unwanted plant life, including weeds. Next, scatter a few seeds into the prepared area, covering thinly with 1/16″ of topsoil. It is very important that light can reach the seeds, in order for germination to successfully occur.
Growing Conditions
Chervil will enjoy an area of light shade for the majority of the day and should not be kept in full sunlight. It does particularly well in mild temperatures of 60F to 70F and doesn’t like the heat of summer. Chervil plants will adapt to many soil conditions, though it does prefer a rich, dark soil that’s filled with nutrients. The plants will need a fair amount of water, but just make sure the soil is well drained. Adding a light compost to any area consisting of hard compact soil will improve drainage.
Germination & Growth
Your Chervil will begin to show life within as little as 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will grow to a mature height of about 18 inches tall and can take up a fair amount of space. Space each plant roughly 9 to 12 inches apart from one another. To harvest, wait until the plants are at least 6 inches tall, snipping 2 to 3 inches off of each plant to allow for continued growth. Excessive heat may cause the plants to bolt, which simply means that the plants will seed soon after.