Heirloom

Wega

Petroselinum crispum

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Wega's upright habit makes it easy to harvest the dark green leaves. Suitable for field or container production. Curled-leaf type. Plant Variety Protected. Ht. 12-18".

Harvest

75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

📏

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 Wega in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Wega · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-draining soil rich in organic matter, neutral to slightly alkaline pH

WaterRegular; consistently moist soil but not waterlogged

SeasonBiennial

FlavorBright, fresh, slightly peppery herbal flavor characteristic of curled-leaf parsley varieties

ColorDark green

Size12-18".

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 11	January – January	January – March	—	March – December
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

Succession Planting

Wega is a biennial — it produces leaves through its first full season and into the following spring before bolting to seed, so you don't sow it on a 14-day cycle like radishes. One indoor sow in February–March, transplanted out between April and June, carries you from a June harvest through November. If you want a backup plant in case the first bolts early or takes a hard winter hit, start a second round indoors in late July for a fall transplant; beyond that, two sowings a year is about all most gardens need.

Complete Growing Guide

Wega's upright habit makes it easy to harvest the dark green leaves. Suitable for field or container production. Curled-leaf type. Plant Variety Protected. Ht. 12-18". According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Wega is 75 days to maturity, biennial, open pollinated. Notable features: Easy Choice, Grows Well in Containers, Plant Variety Protected.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Wega reaches harvest at 75 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 12-18". at peak.

The small, ridged seeds are formed in the second year from July to September. The fruit and seeds are poisonous to birds.

Type: Schizocarp.

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Edibility: Leaves as flavoring and garnish

Storage & Preservation

Freshly harvested Wega parsley keeps best in the refrigerator at 32–40°F in a sealed plastic bag or container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture; expect a fresh shelf life of 7–10 days under these conditions. For longer storage, freezing works exceptionally well—blanch sprigs briefly in boiling water for 2–3 minutes, shock in ice water, pat dry, and freeze on a tray before transferring to freezer bags for up to three months. Alternatively, air-dry bundles hung in a warm, well-ventilated space for two weeks, then store in airtight jars away from light. Wega's tightly curled leaves retain their flavor particularly well when dried, making this method especially worthwhile if you're processing a large harvest. Avoid canning parsley alone due to safety concerns; it's best preserved frozen or dried.

History & Origin

Wega is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Europe

Advantages

+Upright growth habit enables convenient harvesting of dark green leaves
+Versatile for both field cultivation and container gardening production
+Plant Variety Protected status ensures consistent quality and genetic stability
+Reaches mature height of 12-18 inches in approximately 75 days
+Curled-leaf type provides attractive appearance for fresh market sales

Considerations

-Requires consistent moisture to prevent bolting in hot weather
-May develop powdery mildew in humid greenhouse or container conditions
-Slower establishment compared to flat-leaf parsley varieties

Companion Plants

Tomatoes and peppers are the most practical neighbors for Wega parsley — the taller nightshades cast just enough afternoon shade to slow second-year bolting, and parsley's scent is said to disrupt aphids that would otherwise colonize both crops. French marigolds nearby pull double duty by suppressing soil nematodes; NC State Extension recommends a dense marigold planting for nematode-prone beds, and parsley benefits from the same treatment. Rue and sage are the ones to skip — both release allelopathic compounds that inhibit germination and stunt young parsley roots, and sage competes hard for dry, well-drained soil that parsley, which wants consistent moisture, can't share without losing.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Basil repels tomato hornworms and aphids, enhances tomato flavor and growth

Peppers

Basil deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly attack pepper plants

Oregano

Shares similar growing conditions and attracts beneficial insects while repelling pests

Parsley

Compatible herb that attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for nutrients

Lettuce

Basil provides light shade and pest protection for lettuce during hot weather

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and other soil pests, complement basil's pest-deterrent properties

Chives

Repel aphids and enhance basil's flavor while sharing similar care requirements

Asparagus

Basil repels asparagus beetles and doesn't interfere with asparagus root system

Keep Apart

Rue

Allelopathic herb that inhibits basil growth and can stunt development

Sage

Competes for similar nutrients and may inhibit basil's growth through root competition

Thyme

Can overpower young basil plants and compete for space and nutrients

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

Spider mites (especially indoors), aphids, slugs

Diseases

Powdery mildew, leaf spot

Troubleshooting Wega

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

White powdery coating on leaves, usually appearing mid-summer or when plants are crowded

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal disease that spreads via airborne spores and thrives when humidity is high but leaves are dry
Poor air circulation from tight spacing (under 6 inches)

What to Do

1.Strip and trash (don't compost) affected leaves as soon as you spot them
2.Space plants at least 6–8 inches apart and make sure nothing is overhanging them
3.NC State Extension's cultural guidance recommends avoiding overhead watering; if you must use it, water early in the morning so leaves dry before nightfall

Irregular tan or brown spots on leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo, appearing any time after the plant is 4–6 weeks old

Likely Causes

Leaf spot (fungal) — typically splashes up from the soil surface during rain or overhead irrigation
Prolonged leaf wetness from watering late in the day

What to Do

1.Remove spotted leaves promptly and dispose of them — dead tissue left on the soil invites further spread
2.Lay a 2-inch layer of straw mulch around the base of plants to reduce soil splash
3.Rotate parsley out of the same bed for at least one season; the pathogen overwinters in debris

Ragged holes in lower leaves, seedlings clipped at the base overnight, slime trails visible in the morning

Likely Causes

Slugs — especially common in wet springs or beds with heavy mulch that stays damp
Overcrowded planting that keeps the soil surface shaded and moist all day

What to Do

1.Set out iron phosphate bait (Sluggo or equivalent) in the evening around affected plants
2.Pull mulch back 2–3 inches from stem bases to let the soil surface dry out during the day
3.Hand-pick slugs after dark with a flashlight — unpleasant but effective when populations are high

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Wega parsley take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Wega matures approximately 75 days from transplant-sized seedlings. If starting from seed indoors, add 6–8 weeks for seed starting and seedling development before transplanting, bringing total time to harvest to roughly 5–6 months from initial sowing. Direct seeding takes longer due to slow germination (14–21 days) plus the additional 75-day maturation window.

Can you grow Wega parsley in containers or pots?▼

Yes—Wega is specifically bred for container production. Its compact, upright 12–18 inch habit makes it ideal for pots, window boxes, and patio containers. Use at least 8–10 inches of quality potting soil per plant, ensure drainage holes are clear, and keep soil consistently moist. Container plants on a sunny windowsill produce continuous fresh leaves for kitchen use.

Is Wega a good parsley variety for beginners?▼

Wega is excellent for beginners once established. However, parsley seed germination is notoriously slow and inconsistent, so purchasing nursery transplants rather than starting from seed eliminates the most frustrating step. Once transplanted, Wega is forgiving, grows vigorously in full sun, and requires only consistent moisture and occasional fertilizing. Its compact habit also makes it less prone to disease than spreading varieties.

How much space does Wega parsley need between plants?▼

Space Wega 6–8 inches apart in garden rows or containers. The upright, compact habit allows closer spacing than sprawling parsley varieties, making efficient use of limited space. In a 12-inch pot, you can grow a single robust plant; in a window box, space plants 6 inches center-to-center. Adequate spacing ensures good air circulation, reducing disease risk.

What does Wega parsley taste like and how do you use it?▼

Wega has the classic fresh, bright, slightly peppery parsley flavor expected in curled-leaf types—less bold than flat-leaf Italian parsley but with clean herbal notes. Use it fresh as a garnish, in salads, mixed into herb butters, or as a last-minute addition to soups, sauces, and grain dishes. The tender young leaves are sweetest; older foliage becomes slightly more peppery.

When should I plant Wega parsley, and can I grow it year-round?▼

Plant Wega transplants after your last spring frost when soil reaches 50°F. In warm climates (zones 9–11), you can plant in fall for winter-to-spring production. Wega is an annual in cold climates but can overwinter in mild regions. It bolts and becomes bitter in intense summer heat; consider providing afternoon shade in zones 8+ or planting for spring and fall harvests rather than summer growth.