How to Grow Chervil: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Direct sow about 4 weeks before last spring frost (OSU). Cool-season — prefers spring and fall.

Chervil at a glance

PlantDirect sow: 4 wk before last frost
SpacingShallow sow; thin for leafy growth.
Days to harvestLeafy; ~120 days to seed (OK)
-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Cool-season herb: bolts in heat; prefer spring and fall sowings.

Chervil plant
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium). Photo: Schlaghecken Josef, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Planting timing

Oklahoma Extension culinary herbs table: Chervil — Seed — “Four weeks before last spring frost”; spacing 9–12 inches. (OK culinary herbs) Illinois: sow spring or late fall; direct sow — seedlings difficult to transplant; succession every 3–4 weeks. (Illinois chervil) UC Marin: sow spring through fall; cool months; thin 12 inches. (UC Marin chervil)

Depth and spacing

Shallow sow; thin for leafy growth. Give light shade as days warm.

Sun, soil and water

Cool moist soil; partial shade in warm weather.

Care

Succession sow; cut before flowering for best leaf flavor.

Harvest

Snip young leaves as needed; flavor is delicate anise-parsley.

Pests and diseases

Few serious problems in cool weather.

Related: ZIP planner · all grow guides · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I sow?

About 4 weeks before last spring frost (OSU).

Heat OK?

No — cool-season; prefer spring/fall.

Transplant?

Direct sow preferred for this fine herb.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources