Japanese Mitsuba Parsley on a white background.
Parsley Seeds, Japanese Mitsuba
Parsley Seeds, Japanese Mitsuba
Japanese Mitsuba Parsley on a white background.
Parsley Seeds, Japanese Mitsuba
Parsley Seeds, Japanese Mitsuba

Parsley Seeds,
Japanese Mitsuba

4.86 ReviewsSKU: #OR172Min. seed count: 400
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Description

This delicate and refreshing Japanese herb is easy to grow. It loves shade; it can be grown in full to part shade and is perfect for low-light spaces in the garden. This savory little parsley family member is also popular in Chinese cuisine and is reminiscent of its cousins parsley and cilantro. It is typically used raw, sprinkled atop a meal to give it the perfect final touch. The leaves, stems, roots, and seeds are all edible and excellent in stir fries, soups, salads, and other Asian-inspired dishes. The plants are similar to parsley in their growth habit. Prefers cooler spring and fall weather.

Growing Tips: Direct seed outdoors in fall or very early spring; otherwise place the seeds in the fridge for several weeks, then remove from fridge and germinate at 65-70 F.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cryptotaenia japonica
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Requirement
4–6 hr.
Days to Germinate
5–10
Days to Maturity
50
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
6–8 in.
Ideal Temperature
68–78°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Mitsuba is the odd one out among the parsleys: a perennial Cryptotaenia japonica that wants shade rather than sun. Direct sow outdoors in fall or very early spring so the seed gets its natural chilling; for any later or indoor sowing, hold the seed moist in the refrigerator for several weeks first, then germinate at 65-70 F, where seedlings appear in 5 to 10 days. Sow 1/4 inch deep and thin or set plants 6 to 8 inches apart. It needs only 4 to 6 hours of sun and grows happily in part to full shade, which makes it the herb for the low-light corners where little else will crop. Spring and fall are its planting windows; it prefers that cooler weather. Leaves are ready to pick in about 50 days, and this frost-hardy perennial returns each year in zones 4-8.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Direct seed outdoors in fall or very early spring; otherwise place the seeds in the fridge for several weeks, then remove from fridge and germinate at 65-70 F.
  • Seeds germinate in 14-35 days.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 65-70 F.

How to Grow

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Crown root rot is an issue when parsley is planted in boggy or poorly drained soil.
  • To prevent this issue, just ensure well-drained soil.

How to Save Seeds

  • Parsley is a biennial that will grow vegetatively (leaves) in the first year, and flowers and seeds in the second year.
  • In order to flower and set seed, parsley will need to be vernalized, meaning it will need exposure to temperatures lower than 50 F for 10 weeks. Parsley is cold hardy to USDA zones 4. In colder zones, gardeners can carefully lift the plants and overwinter in a root cellar or unheated shed.
  • Plants are insect pollinated and different varieties should be isolated by at least 800 feet.
  • Save seeds from at least 5 plants to ensure strong genetic diversity.
  • Seeds are mature and ready to harvest when dry and brown.
  • You can cut the entire brown umbels and place in a paper bag in a dry location for 5-14 days.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place. Be aware that parsley seeds, like most apiaceae family members, only remain viable for about 2 years.

FAQ

Can mitsuba be grown in the shade?

Yes. It loves shade and can be grown in full to part shade, which makes it perfect for low-light spaces in the garden. It needs only 4 to 6 hours of sun.

Which parts of the plant are edible?

The leaves, stems, roots, and seeds are all edible. It is typically used raw, sprinkled atop a meal as a final touch, and is excellent in stir fries, soups, salads, and other Asian-inspired dishes.

Is mitsuba the same plant as garden parsley?

No. Mitsuba is Cryptotaenia japonica, a savory parsley-family member popular in Japanese and Chinese cuisine and reminiscent of its cousins parsley and cilantro. The plants are similar to parsley in growth habit, but mitsuba is a perennial that returns each year in zones 4–8, while garden parsley is a biennial.
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