View source for Parsley-as-a-companion-crop-to-repel-pests

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 <div class="title"><h3>7.13 - Parsley as a companion crop to repel pests</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Brianna Bucasas,University of Guelph, Canada</h3></div>
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<p>Suggested citation for this chapter.</p>
<p>Bucasas,B. (2025) Parsley as a companion crop to repel pests. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph,Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org</p>
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       <h1 class="title-bg">What is Companion Planting?</h1>
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          <p>Companion planting is a type of polyculture in which different plant species are planted together in order to derive benefits synergistically from one another (Reddy, 2017). This can include factors such as: “management of biotic stresses from insect and mite pests, disease pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses), nematodes, and weeds; proper utilization of field; balanced nutrition; pollination; enhanced growth and flavor; providing habitat for beneficials; or increase in crop productivity” (Reddy, 2017).</p> 
<P>While protecting any intended crops, a compatible companion plant can also provide economic benefits for the farmer during harvest through an increased and enhanced yield (Reddy, 2017). Understanding the biodiversity and planning of one’s garden can help smallholder farmers to better optimize their gardens, enable natural forms of repellent, and yield more diverse harvests, all while enabling community amongst farmers who wish to share their knowledge (Reddy, n.d.). This chapter will cover the benefits and logistics of parsley as a companion crop. </p>
	<P>Parsley, known by its scientific name Petroselinum crispum, belongs to the Apiaceae family and is believed to have originated in Sardinia - the Mediterranean area - and to have been cultivated as early as the 3rd century BC in many tropic, subtropical, and temperate regions (Agyare et al., 2017). Parsley is a biennial plant which is most often cultivated annually (Agyare et al., 2017). </p>
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Health Benefits of Parsley </h1>
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          <p>There are many vitamins and nutrients that can be derived from parsley (Agyare et al., 2017) making it a worthwhile crop to take up space in a garden. Humans historically have used the herb to treat a plethora of issues (Agyare et al., 2017). The roots of the plant are known to have been used as a diuretic; its seeds as an antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic. Gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, halitosis, kidney stones, and amenorrhea all have histories of being treated using parsley. Furthermore, parsley is known for possessing pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, analgesic, spasmolytic, immunosuppressant and gastroprotective properties (Agyare et al., 2017). Although some of these claims are not scientifically proven, there are still many benefits to consuming parsley.  </p>
<p>[[Image:John g.jpg|thumb|centre|Figure 1. John Gerard’s The Herball, 1633. |Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>
<p>●	According to one study, parsley is a high source of the flavonoid apigenin, which serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, while also supporting brain health and promoting relaxation (Meyer et al., 2006). </p>
<p>●	Parsley contains vitamins B1, B2 and K (Opara and Cohan, 2014).</p> 
<p>●	Oils that are extracted from parsley plants may contain chemicals that aid in triggering appetite, while also improving digestion (Obermeyer et al., 1995).</p> 
<p>●	Parsley stems and leaves are good sources of vitamin C, calcium, manganese, iron, folic acids, and potassium (Mahmood et al., 2014). </p>
<p>●	Recent studies show that the addition of parsley into a daily diet can help strengthen the body’s antioxidant systems while also reducing the effects of “free radical-induced carcinogenesis, cancer and subsequent metastasis caused by prolonged and excessive oxidative stress” (Tang, et al., 2015). </p>

<p>[[Image:Persley 1.jpg|thumb|centre|Figure 2. |Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>
<p>[[Image:Persley 2.jpg|thumb|centre|Figure 3.  |Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>

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       <h1 class="title-bg">Benefits of Parsley as a Companion Crop </h1>
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          <p>Many herbs have a good influence on plants in their vicinity. All vegetables are aided by most aromatic herbs like parsley (Philbrick and Gregg, n.d.). Parsley has a strong aroma that can deter pests such as aphis, cutworms, tomato hornworm, and corn (maize) earworms while attracting hoverflies, ladybirds and spiders that prey on several pests. Parsley, when allowed to blossom, attracts honey bees and butterflies which are beneficial insects for larger crops (Philbrick and Gregg, n.d.). </p>
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       <h1 style="background: #FBB03B;padding: 15px;font-weight: 600;color: #000;font-size: 22px;margin:unset;text-align:center;">●	Good Companion Crops for Parsley</h1>
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          <p><b>●	Tomato</b></p> - Parsley attracts some insects that feed on pests that are harmful to tomatoes. For this benefit to be effective the parsley plant needs to be allowed to flower (Sanjerehei, 2023).</p>
<p><b>●	Asparagus</b></p> - Parsley repels the asparagus beetle and improves taste (Sanjerehei, 2023). </p>
<p><b>●	Rose </b></p>- Parsley repels the rose beetles while attracting honey bees which is beneficial to the rose plant. When planted next to one another the scent of both plants is enhanced (Sanjerehei, 2023).</p> 
<p><b>●	Sweet Peppers/Hot Peppers</b></p> - Parsley attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and wasps which control pests like aphids which are harmful to bell peppers. The two plants do not compete for nutrients making them good neighbours for one another (Golden Harvest Organics, 2023).</p> 
	<p>In general, parsley is best and most effective when intercropped with compatible crops. Its short size ensures that it will not compete for vertical space with taller plants (Saldanha et al., 2019). As well, parsley being a bushy plant, allows it to shade the soil, allowing for some weed suppression (Saldanha et al., 2019) on top of the other benefits listed above. 
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Bad Companions for Parsley</h1>
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          <p><b>●	Lettuce</b></p> - Parsley, which tends to be bushy, can crowd lettuce plants. (Pam Malinoski, 2025). </p>
<p><b>●	Mint</b></p> - Mint can be an aggressive and invasive grower and has the potential to crowd out parsley (Golden Harvest Organics, 2023). 
According to a study done on the Mediterranean Basin (Marotti et al. ,2023), the area experiences significant environmental challenges which include rising temperatures, water shortages, and soil degradation. These factors can negatively affect crop yields and increase occurrences of pest and disease. According to the study, intercropping with aromatic and medicinal plants such as parsley can be introduced to these areas to address these issues and has emerged as a sustainable agricultural practice (Marotti et al., 2023).  
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       <h1 class="title-bg">General Growth Requirements, Maintenance, and Harvesting of Parsley  </h1>
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          <p><b>●	Basic Requirements </b></p>
<p>●	Parsley plants thrive in bright areas with plenty of sunlight and/or areas with partial shading (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p>  
<p>●	Parsley is best grown in temperatures between 7 and 16°C (45–61°F) and in a loam that drains well and is high in organic matter (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
<p>●	The optimal pH level of the soil should be between 4.9 and 8.2 (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
<p>●	In-Row Spacing - 0.5-2cm for direct seeding. 10-15cm for transplanting (OMAFRA, n.d.)</p> 
<p>●	Between Row Spacing - 30-40 cm (OMAFRA, n.d.)</p> 
<p>●	Propagation - If the parsley plant is propagated from seed, then either practice direct seeding or through indoor sowing in order to produce <p><b>transplants:</b></p> 
<p>●	Sowing in the spring time is ideal for parsley plants especially in soil that is warm (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>   
<p>●	Seeds that are soaked overnight before planting will aid in germination (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p>●	Ideally parsley seeds should be planted no more than 6 mm (0.25 inches) deep in soil (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
<p>●	About 10 to 15 seeds can be planted per every inch of row space (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
<p>●	Best to keep seeds moist (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p>●	After seedlings have begun to grow they should be thinned and spaced at about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) apart, leaving 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) in between rows (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p>  
<p>●	Parsley should be left in the ground for a second year when looking to collect its seeds (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p><b>●	General Care and Maintenance </b></p> 
<p>●	Clipping the plant’s branches will keep the crop productive and promote new growth (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
<p>●	To prevent parsley plants from going to seed and retaining the flavor of its leaves any flower stalks that form should be removed within its first year of growth (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p>●	Cultivate soil to remove any weeds from the area of growth. A mulch layer can be applied around the crop to suppress the growth of new weeds (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>   
<p>●	Applying fertilizer, either before or during the growing season, is effective. Parsley plants can also be side dressed using nitrogen in order to maintain their productivity (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>   
<p>●	Parsley can be overwintered by protecting it with either a frame or layer of straw. The leaves of parsley can be continually harvested over the winter months (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p>  
<p><b>●	Harvesting Parsley </b></p>
<p>●	Parsley most often is ready for harvest about 75 days after it was initially sowed (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p>●	When the crop has reached about 20 cm (~8 inches) in height (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p>●	Parsley leaves can be harvested as needed. The leaves and/or the whole plant may be dried for even longer storage (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
<p>●	Parsley plants are still able to grow sufficiently after its been entirely cut for about 3 more cuttings a year (PlantVillage, n.d.).  
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Critical Analysis - Common Pests Associated with Parsley </h1>
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<p><b>●	Armyworm </b></p>
<p>[[Image:Trg.jpg|thumb|centre|	Armyworm   |Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p>

<p><b>●	Symptoms  </b></p>

<p>●	Holes of irregular shapes, either singular or spaced closely together, will dot the foliage - these are caused by young larvae that are feeding (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>
<p>●	Larvae are described as pale green to yellow in colour. As the larvae get older they generally become a darker green with a dark and light line that runs along the side of their body. Their undersides are described as either yellow or pink (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p>●	They will lay clusters of about 50 to 150 eggs. These clusters may be present on the leaves and are described as being covered in a whitish scale that give it a fuzzy appearance (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p> 
<p>●	Fruits will have shallow, dry wounds (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p>

<p><b>●	Management</b></p>
<p>●	Organic means of controlling infestations include methods like introducing natural enemies that will parasitize the larvae (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
<p>●	Commercial chemicals are available; however, for home gardens these are often not enough to deal with the infestation (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p>

<p><b>●	Aphid</b></p>
<p>[[Image:Hgbyt.jpg|thumb|centre|	●	Aphid  |Click on the image to access a higher resolution image as well as lessons adapted for different geographic regions.]]</p> 

<p><b>●	Symptoms</b></p> 
<p>●	These insects are described as having small bodies and they can be found on the underside and/or on the stems of plants (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p>
<p>●	Described as being either green or yellow in colour (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p> 
<p>●	If there is a large infestation, the leaves of the plant may turn yellow, distort, form necrotic spots, and or have stunted shoots (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p>  
<p>●	These insects are known to secrete a substance that is described as sticky and sugary in consistency - this is referred to as ‘honeydew’. This substance stimulates the growth of sooty mold (PlantVillage, n.d.).</p> 
<p><b>●	Management </b></p>
<p>●	If the population is limited to a small area - the area can be pruned out to control the infestation (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p>
<p>●	Insecticides generally are only used in heavy infestations. Plants are often able to tolerate lower to medium levels of infestation (PlantVillage, n.d.). </p> 
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Women in Smallholder Farming </h1>
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<p>About 80 percent of the food produced globally is done by small-scale farmers (OXFAM International, 2022). Women make up about 43 percent of this agricultural workforce and are located primarily in developing nations, and in some they make up the majority (OXFAM International, 2022). More than two thirds of women in South Asia are employed in agricultural fields. In Eastern Africa more than half of the farmers are women (OXFAM International, 2022). Although these numbers would suggest that they make up the majority of the agricultural industry in these places, they earn 20 to 30 percent less income than their male counterparts. This is because they often face with two compounding layers of exclusion - being smallholder farmers and women (OXFAM International, 2022).</p> 
<p>●	Women do not receive the same support as male farmers (less access to lands, loans, and machinery) (OXFAM International, 2022).</p> 
<p>●	Women are heavily involved in domestic activities which are hidden within the economy (OXFAM International, 2022).</p> 
<p>Medicinal and aromatic plants, which include the parsley family, are significant contributors to the livelihoods of many people living in rural areas. These kinds of plants are used in recognized systems of healthcare, are used therapeutically, used for flavouring and fragrances, and even play a role in  pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries (Suryavanshi et al., 2020). Women have traditionally been the main producers of these medicinal and aromatic plants. Their roles in these industries are crucial while also providing economic stability for millions of them around the world - in particular women in tribal communities (Suryavanshi et al., 2020). Many of these women who rely on farming are often only equipped with limited resources and marginal land holdings, therefore it is important that they are able to cultivate high value crops such as parsley and are able to store and process them effectively after harvest; in many areas women will save and store these useful herbs for future use in foods and medicine and therefore rely on their farming practices for the security of their homes and communities (Suryavanshi et al., 2020). Through techniques like companion cropping, the income gap can be closed gradually as it offers a more accessible and easily learned alternative to expensive and sometimes dangerous commercial pesticides. Furthermore, by protecting other high-value vegetables within a home garden by use of parsley companion plants, women can gain additional income by reducing pest infestations.</p>

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       <h1 class="title-bg">Helpful Links to Get Started</h1>
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<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXKFeoqL0Bk - beginner’s guide to companion planting </p>
<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u34R01BEPdE&t=55s - small scale farming guide </p>
<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apA6m18WQtI - beginner’s guide to companion planting with parsley </p>
<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlCTLAhfPzM - companion planting with herbs </p> 
<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na6JicCMSxw - beginner’s guide to planting parsley </p> 
<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B64aGRmyVbc - how to grow parsley in pots</p> 
<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIbtIZ2E-Q - how to grow tomatoes </p> 
<p>●	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHiYG1Q2SBs - how to grow asparagus  </p>
<p>Seeds Can Be Ordered from the World Vegetable Center - https://avrdc.org/seed/seeds/</p>

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       <h1 class="title-bg">References</h1>
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          <p>1.	Parker, J. E., Snyder, W. E., Hamilton, G. C., & Rodriguez‐Saona, C. (2013). Companion planting and insect pest control. In Pest Control (pp. 1–16). IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/55044</p>
<p>2.	Oxfam International (2022). Empowering women farmers to end hunger and poverty. Oxfam International. https://www.oxfam.org/en/empowering-women-farmers-end-hunger-and-poverty</p> 
<p>3.	Dave’s Garden (n.d) Happy together, a guide to companion planting. https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3215 </p>
<p>4.	Hendges, A. R. A. de A., Melo, J. W. da S., Guimarães, M. de A., & Rabelo, J. da S. (2018). Intercropping kale with culinary herbs alters arthropod diversity and hinders population growth in aphids. HortScience, 53(1), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12010-17</p>
<p>5.	Malinoski, P. (2025). How to use companion planting strategies to maximize your home garden yield. Farmers’ Almanac - Plan Your Day. Grow Your Life. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/companion-planting-guide Marotti, I., Whittaker, A., Bağdat, R. B., Akin, P. A., Ergün, N., & Dinelli, G. (2023). Intercropping perennial fruit trees and annual field crops with aromatic and medicinal plants (maps) in the Mediterranean Basin. Sustainability, 15(15), 12054. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512054 </p>
<p>6.	Meyer H, Bolarinwa A, Wolfram G, Linseisen J. Bioavailability of apigenin from apiin-rich parsley in humans. Ann Nutr Metab. 2006;50(3):167-72. doi: 10.1159/000090736. Epub 2006 Jan 10. PMID: 16407641.</p>
<p>7.	Newton, A. C. (2016). Exploitation of diversity within crops—the key to disease tolerance? Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 665. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00665</p>
<p>8.	Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. (n.d.). Parsley. Specialty Crop Opportunities.</p> 
<p>9.	Opara, E., & Chohan, M. (2014). Culinary herbs and spices: Their bioactive properties,  the contribution of polyphenols and the challenges in  deducing their true health benefits. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 15(10), 19183–19202. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms151019183 </p>
<p>10.	RHS Herbs (n.d.) Parsley. How to grow Parsley | RHS Herbs. (n.d.). https://www.rhs.org.uk/herbs/parsley/grow-your-own </p>
<p>11.	Plant Village (n.d.) Parsley. plantvillage. (n.d.). https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/parsley/infos </p>
<p>12.	University of Iowa Libraries. (n.d.). Parsley – Roots of Medicine. Retrieved April 8, 2025, from https://dsps.lib.uiowa.edu/roots/parsley-2/</p> 
<p>13.	Reddy, P. P. (2017). Agro-ecological approaches to Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture. Springer Singapore.</p> 
<p>14.	Saldanha, A. V., Gontijo, L. M., Carvalho, R. M. R., Vasconcelos, C. J., Corrêa, A. S., & Gandra, R. L. R. (2019). Companion planting enhances pest suppression despite reducing parasitoid emergence. Basic and Applied Ecology, 41, 45–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2019.10.002</p> 
<p>15.	Suryavanshi, P., Sharma, M., & Maurya, P. (2020). Livelihood security of rural women through medicinal and aromatic plants. In Gender Issues and Atma Nirbhar Bharat in Agriculture (pp. 172–180). Central Agricultural University, Imphal. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365426333_Livelihood_Security_of_Rural_Women_Through_Medicinal_and_Aromatic_Plants</p>
<p>16.	Simon, J.E., J. Rabin and L. Clavio. 1988. Parsley: A production guide. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-202.html</p>
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