Heirloom

Vertissimo

Anthriscus cerefolium

a bunch of flowers that are in the grass

Excellent performance in our trials. Slow-bolting, vigorous plants. Mild, sweet, anise flavor. Popular for salads, microgreens, and garnishing. Edible Flowers: Chervil's flowers are edible, and used to garnish salads. Flavor is of mild licorice.

Harvest

60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Vertissimo in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Vertissimo · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-9 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

WaterRegular, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, sweet anise flavor with subtle licorice notes and delicate herbal character.

ColorBright green

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	—	August – August
Zone 2	April – May	June – August	—	August – September
Zone 11	January – January	January – March	—	March – December

Succession Planting

Chervil bolts quickly once daytime temperatures push past 75–80°F, so the goal is to stagger plantings and keep fresh leaves coming before heat shuts them down. Start transplants indoors in February–March and get them into the ground in April. From there, sow a new round every 3 weeks through early June — after that, the heat will beat you to harvest. Resume in late August or early September as temperatures drop, and you can carry harvests through November in most zones.

Because chervil tolerates partial shade, tucking a late-spring sowing under taller crops — a row of pole beans works well — can buy you an extra 2–3 weeks of usable leaves before it bolts.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Garden value: Edible

Edibility: Leaves common, but flowers and seeds as well; Use leaves in salads, soups, sauces, teas, and butters. Leaves can be harvested throughout the summer and fall.

Storage & Preservation

Vertissimo chervil stays freshest when refrigerated at 32–40°F in a sealed plastic bag or container, ideally used within 3–5 days of harvest. High humidity (95%+) slows wilting significantly. For longer preservation, freezing works best: blanch stems briefly (30 seconds), shock in ice water, pat dry, and freeze in airtight bags or ice cube trays with water or oil. Dried chervil loses considerable flavor quickly, so dry only what you won't use within two weeks—hang bundles in a warm, dark space or use a low-temperature dehydrator set around 95°F. Chervil does not preserve well through canning or fermenting. Vertissimo's delicate anise notes fade rapidly once dried, so prioritize fresh or frozen storage for best culinary results, reserving dried chervil only for stocks or cooking where subtlety matters less.

History & Origin

Origin: Middle East, Russia and the Caucasus

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators
+Edible: Leaves common, but flowers and seeds as well; Use leaves in salads, soups, sauces, teas, and butters. Leaves can be harvested throughout the summer and fall.
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Chervil sits well next to most other culinary herbs — thyme, oregano, rosemary, and chives all share similar moderate-fertility needs without competing hard for root space. Marigolds and nasturtiums pull in beneficial insects that help suppress aphid populations before they build up on the soft new growth chervil puts out all season. Basil makes a practical neighbor too: both want consistent moisture and neither shades the other out at 12–24 inches tall, so they share bed space without fighting for it.

Fennel releases allelopathic compounds that suppress germination and growth in many neighboring plants — chervil included — so keep it in its own container or a separate corner of the garden. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a harder problem: its roots produce juglone, a compound that's toxic to a broad range of herbs and vegetables, and the affected soil zone extends well beyond the tree's canopy. If you have one on the property, site your herb beds on the far side of any structures or hedges that break up the root zone.

Plant Together

Oregano

Repels many pests with strong aromatic oils

Thyme

Deters cabbage worms and other caterpillars

Basil

Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor

Chives

Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects with sulfur compounds

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Rosemary

Repels carrot flies, cabbage moths, and bean beetles

Keep Apart

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that stunts growth of sensitive herbs

Rue

Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of nearby plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soils

Troubleshooting Vertissimo

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaf surfaces, usually showing up mid-summer when nights cool and humidity climbs

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal disease that spreads by airborne spores and thrives in humid, low-airflow conditions
Overcrowded planting at less than 6 inches spacing, cutting off air circulation between plants

What to Do

1.Remove and trash (don't compost) the worst-affected leaves immediately
2.Thin plants to at least 6–9 inches apart if you haven't already
3.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tsp per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading

Plant wilting despite moist soil, with stems turning brown or mushy at the base

Likely Causes

Root rot from Pythium or Phytophthora spp. — both thrive in waterlogged, poorly drained soil
Planting in a low spot that holds water after rain or irrigation

What to Do

1.Pull the plant and check the roots — if they're brown and slimy rather than white and firm, root rot has set in and the plant won't recover; remove it
2.Amend the bed with perlite or coarse compost before replanting to improve drainage
3.Water deeply but infrequently — chervil wants consistently moist soil, not standing water

Tiny clustered insects on new growth or the undersides of leaves, sometimes with sticky residue on stems

Likely Causes

Aphids (various Aphididae species) — they congregate on soft new tissue and reproduce fast in warm weather
Spider mites — more likely if the plant is drought-stressed or temperatures are consistently above 85°F

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a strong stream of water from a hose; repeat every 2–3 days for two weeks
2.For spider mites, spray the undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap — cover them thoroughly or it won't work
3.Plant marigolds or nasturtiums in the same bed to draw in ladybugs and lacewings, which keep soft-bodied pest populations in check

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Vertissimo chervil take to harvest?▼

Vertissimo chervil reaches harvest maturity in approximately 60 days from planting. For microgreens, you can harvest much earlier, typically 2-3 weeks. The slow-bolting characteristic of this variety means it maintains tender, flavorful leaves for an extended harvest window, making it excellent for continuous picking.

Is Vertissimo chervil good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Vertissimo is an excellent choice for beginners. It's rated as easy to grow with vigorous plants that perform reliably. The variety's slow-bolting nature means it's forgiving and tolerates some neglect. It thrives in partial shade, which reduces water stress, making it a low-maintenance herb suitable for novice growers.

Can you grow Vertissimo chervil in containers?▼

Yes, Vertissimo chervil grows well in containers and is particularly popular for microgreens production. Use well-draining potting soil in any size container with drainage holes. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Container growing offers flexibility for placement on patios or windowsills and makes harvesting convenient.

What does Vertissimo chervil taste like?▼

Vertissimo offers a mild, sweet anise flavor with subtle licorice notes. It's delicate and refined compared to other herbs, making it perfect for dishes where you want herbal flavor without overpowering. The edible flowers also carry this mild licorice taste and add visual appeal to salads and garnishes.

When should I plant Vertissimo chervil?▼

Plant Vertissimo chervil in spring after the last frost, or in fall for cool-season harvest. It prefers cooler temperatures and can bolt quickly in extreme summer heat. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. In mild climates, fall planting often produces superior results due to extended cool growing conditions.

Does Vertissimo chervil need full sun?▼

Vertissimo chervil performs well in full sun to partial shade, requiring 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Partial shade is actually beneficial, especially in hot climates, as it slows bolting and helps maintain tender foliage. This flexibility makes it adaptable to various garden locations and microclimates.