Heirloom

Chervil

Anthriscus cerefolium

Wikimedia Commons

Intricate green leaves and stems. A traditional French herb used to flavor egg, potato, fish, and poultry dishes.

Harvest

26-30d

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

Harvest

Start Indoors

Harvest

Showing dates for Chervil in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 microgreen →

Zone Map

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Chervil · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-10 inches

SoilWell-draining potting mix or garden soil amended with compost

WaterRegular, consistent moisture without waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorDelicate, subtle anise-like flavor with mild parsley notes and refined complexity

ColorLight green

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 4	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 5	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 6	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 7	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 8	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 9	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 10	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 1	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 2	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 11	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 12	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 13	January – December	—	—	January – December

Succession Planting

Chervil bolts fast once daytime temperatures climb above 75°F, so succession sowing is the only way to keep a steady supply. As a microgreen harvested at 26 to 30 days, sow a fresh tray every 10 to 14 days — indoors under lights this works year-round, since chervil has no true dormancy requirement across its wide USDA range (zones 1–11). Outdoors in zone 7, run successions from late February through early April and again from late September through November; skip the summer window unless you have a reliably cool, shaded indoor setup.

Complete Growing Guide

Intricate green leaves and stems. A traditional French herb used to flavor egg, potato, fish, and poultry dishes. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Chervil is 26 - 30 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Hydroponic Performer.

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

Chervil reaches harvest at 26 - 30 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

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

Freshly harvested chervil microgreens keep best in a breathable container lined with paper towels, stored at 32–40°F with 85–95% humidity—a standard refrigerator's vegetable drawer works well. Expect 5–7 days of quality before the delicate fronds begin to wilt and lose their subtle anise notes. For longer preservation, freezing is most practical: blanch briefly in boiling water for 90 seconds, shock in ice water, pat dry thoroughly, and freeze in airtight bags or ice cube trays with a splash of water. Dried chervil retains flavor reasonably well when air-dried in a warm, dark space, though the fresh quality never fully returns. Chervil's tender texture makes it poor for canning. One useful note: chervil microgreens are exceptionally prone to moisture-related decay, so prioritize rapid cooling after harvest and avoid storing near ethylene-producing fruits like apples or avocados.

History & Origin

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

Origin: Middle East, Russia and the Caucasus

Advantages

+Delicate anise flavor elevates French cuisine dishes beautifully
+Ready to harvest in just 26-30 days
+Minimal growing difficulty makes it ideal for beginners
+Intricate leaves add sophisticated visual appeal to plates
+Grows well in cooler temperatures other greens struggle with

Considerations

-Seeds have low germination rates requiring careful handling
-Susceptible to damping-off disease in humid conditions
-Thin stems make harvesting and handling somewhat delicate
-Yields smaller volume compared to heartier microgreen varieties

Companion Plants

Chervil sits comfortably next to lettuce, radishes, and spinach — all shallow-rooted, low-canopy crops that won't shade it out or pull hard from the same soil depth. Carrots and parsley share the Apiaceae family with chervil and want similar cool, moist conditions, so they make practical row neighbors. Fennel is the one to avoid: it releases allelopathic compounds through its roots that suppress germination and stunt nearby seedlings, and chervil's delicate root system is particularly susceptible. Mint is a different problem — it doesn't poison anything, it just colonizes; in our zone 7 Georgia garden it'll swallow a whole bed by midsummer if it's not in a container. Tomatoes conflict less chemically and more practically — they demand full sun and heat that chervil can't tolerate past April.

Plant Together

Lettuce

Similar growing conditions and shallow roots, won't compete for space

Radishes

Quick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters pests

Carrots

Deep roots complement chervil's shallow root system, mutual pest deterrence

Parsley

Similar cultural requirements and both benefit from partial shade

Spinach

Compatible cool-season crop with similar water and light needs

Peas

Nitrogen fixation benefits chervil, both prefer cooler temperatures

Chives

Natural pest deterrent that protects delicate chervil from aphids

Cilantro

Similar growing requirements and harvest timing for microgreen production

Keep Apart

Fennel

Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of most herbs

Tomatoes

Heavy feeders that overshadow and outcompete delicate chervil microgreens

Mint

Aggressive spreader that can overwhelm chervil and alter soil chemistry

Nutrition Facts

Calories

237kcal(12%)

Protein

23.2g(46%)

Fiber

11.3g(40%)

Carbs

49.1g(18%)

Fat

3.9g(5%)

Vitamin C

50mg(56%)

Vitamin A

293mcg(33%)

Iron

32mg(178%)

Calcium

1350mg(104%)

Potassium

4740mg(101%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171318)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Minimal pest pressure; occasionally affected by aphids under stress

Diseases

Rare in well-managed plants; powdery mildew possible in humid conditions with poor air circulation

Troubleshooting Chervil

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

Seedlings are leggy and pale, stretching toward the light within the first 10 days

Likely Causes

Insufficient light — chervil needs at least 4 hours of indirect or filtered light as a microgreen
Tray placed too far from a grow light (more than 4 inches above canopy)

What to Do

1.Move trays closer to the light source — 2 to 3 inches under a fluorescent or LED grow light works well
2.Rotate trays 180° every day or two if using a windowsill to even out the lean
3.If growing indoors year-round, run lights for 14 to 16 hours per day on a timer

Seeds sitting on the medium for more than 14 days with no germination

Likely Causes

Chervil seed viability drops off fast — seeds older than one season often fail
Dry medium surface causing the seed coat to desiccate before the radicle can emerge
Temperature too high — germination stalls above 70°F

What to Do

1.Use seeds from the current season; if buying bulk, check the pack date
2.Mist the medium surface twice daily and cover the tray with a humidity dome until sprouts appear
3.Move trays to a cooler spot — 60 to 65°F is the target range for chervil germination

White powdery coating on older leaves at or after day 20, especially when trays are crowded

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe heraclei or a close relative) — thrives in stagnant air with high humidity
Trays packed too densely, blocking airflow between seedlings

What to Do

1.Harvest immediately — at the microgreen stage, cut below the affected tissue; the lower stems are still table-ready
2.Add a small fan to circulate air around trays for future rounds
3.Drop seeding density to roughly 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of seed per 10x20 tray on your next sow

Leaves developing a washed-out, stippled look with tiny moving dots on the underside

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Myzus persicae or Macrosiphum euphorbiae) clustering on stressed seedlings
Low airflow and warm indoor conditions encouraging aphid buildup

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a sharp stream of water from a spray bottle
2.If the infestation is heavy on a tray near harvest, just cut and wash — rinse greens thoroughly in cold water before eating
3.Isolate affected trays from other microgreen crops immediately to slow spread

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does chervil take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Chervil is one of the fastest herbs to harvest, reaching maturity in just 26-30 days. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days under cool conditions (55-65°F), and leaves are harvestable at 4-6 inches tall. This quick turnaround makes chervil ideal for succession planting every 2-3 weeks to maintain a continuous supply throughout spring and fall.

Can you grow chervil in containers or pots?▼

Yes, chervil thrives in containers and actually prefers them for home gardeners. Use a 6-8 inch pot with well-draining potting mix, and sow seeds directly in the container. Containers allow easier shade management (crucial for preventing bolting) and permit harvesting individual leaves without disturbing the entire plant. A single container provides enough chervil for regular kitchen use for several weeks.

Why does my chervil bolt so quickly?▼

Chervil bolts rapidly in heat—temperatures above 70°F trigger flowering within days. To prevent premature bolting, grow chervil in spring (sow in early March) or fall (sow in late August) when temperatures stay cool. Provide afternoon shade during warm months, keep soil consistently moist (stress triggers bolting), and harvest frequently. Once bolting begins, flavor becomes bitter and production ends.

What does chervil taste like, and how is it used in cooking?▼

Chervil has a delicate, subtle flavor combining mild parsley with a hint of anise. It's a hallmark of French cuisine, essential in béarnaise sauce, omelettes, and fines herbes blends. Unlike bold herbs like basil, chervil enhances without overpowering—add it at the end of cooking to preserve its refined flavor. It pairs beautifully with eggs, fish, potatoes, chicken, and light soups.

Is chervil good for beginners?▼

Yes, chervil is excellent for beginners due to its short growing period, no significant pests or diseases, and low maintenance needs. The main skill required is understanding its heat sensitivity—simply grow it in cool seasons (spring and fall) and provide afternoon shade. Direct sowing is straightforward, and the quick 26-30 day harvest builds confidence. Its only challenge is resisting the urge to grow it in summer.

Can you regrow chervil after cutting, or is it a one-time harvest?▼

Chervil can regrow for a second, lighter harvest if you cut carefully. Leave the bottom 1-2 inches of the plant intact when harvesting, and the plant will regenerate. However, this second growth is typically lighter than the first. More importantly, frequent pinching of outer leaves—rather than cutting the entire plant at once—extends the harvest period and naturally delays bolting.