Plain Leaf, Chervil Seeds

Plain Leaf Chervil Seed

Delicate parsley-like leaves carry a sweeter anise flavor
Cool-season plants appreciate protection from hot afternoon sun
A classic component of French fines herbes
Excellent with eggs, fish, chicken, and delicate sauces

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Anthriscus cerefolium

Days to maturity

60 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

100 Seeds

Zones 3–9 Check your growing zone

About Plain Leaf, Chervil Seed, Chervil Seed

The Plain Leaf Chervil resembles Italian parsley in appearance, but has a stronger, sweeter flavor that is often paired with tarragon, chives and parsley. This Brussels winter type is a vigorous plant with a subtle warm flavor that is excellent in fish and chicken dishes or light sauces and dressings.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

10–21 days

In-row plant spacing

12-18"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Biennial

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

12,000

Color

Green

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

Give Chervil a full-sun to lightly shaded site with fertile, well-drained soil that retains moderate moisture. Work compost into the bed and prepare a fine, weed-free surface for the usually small seed. Plan convenient irrigation, and use containers or barriers before planting if chervil may spread aggressively.

Planting

Sow chervil indoors several weeks before the last frost or direct sow when the crop’s preferred soil temperature is reached. Maintain even surface moisture through germination, especially for fine or slow seed. Give indoor seedlings strong light, harden them before transplanting, and thin direct-sown plants after true leaves appear. Repeat sowings where young leaves are harvested continuously.

Watering

Maintain steady root-zone moisture around chervil, especially during active leaf growth. Water before plants wilt, but avoid standing water and overhead irrigation late in the day.

Fertilizer

Apply light, regular nutrition to chervil during vigorous growth, especially in containers. Keep nitrogen moderate and stop feeding when plants become dormant or growth slows.

Harvesting

Chervil may be cut repeatedly once vigorous growth begins. Use clean shears, harvest before flowers fully open for best leaf quality, and collect seed heads only after they turn dry.

Tips

Keep chervil compact by harvesting or pinching often. Container plants may need occasional repotting, while tender perennials can be moved indoors before frost for continued growth.

Pests & Diseases

Chervil may develop powdery mildew, damping-off, or leaf spots when grown densely in humid weather. Thin seedlings early and remove mildewed leaves before harvesting. Because chervil prefers cool conditions, replace heat-stressed, declining plantings rather than repeatedly treating them; stressed foliage is more susceptible to secondary disease.

Chervil may attract aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, slugs, or beetles. Inspect before harvest, use physical removal first, and avoid persistent broad-spectrum products on foliage intended for use.