Herb Garden Essentials: Discover Delicate Chervil
Go beyond the tried-and-true edible herbs and try this nonconformist that's surprisingly easy to grow
Marianne Lipanovich
October 10, 2015
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects... More
Chervil is somewhat of a rarity in the world of herbs. This annual, which goes by the botanical name Anthriscus cerefolium, prefers partial shade to full sun, wants plenty of moisture rather than drier conditions, and is happy on the cooler days of spring, fall and winter rather than the hot days of summer. Such nonconformity makes it a worthy addition to an herb garden, especially when said garden is looking rather barren early and late in the growing season.
It’s a bonus that chervil is also a lovely plant in its own right, with bright, lacy leaves reminiscent of parsley and other carrot family members and a mounding growth pattern that reaches about a foot wide, with flower stems topped by lacy white foliage up to 2 feet tall.
It’s a bonus that chervil is also a lovely plant in its own right, with bright, lacy leaves reminiscent of parsley and other carrot family members and a mounding growth pattern that reaches about a foot wide, with flower stems topped by lacy white foliage up to 2 feet tall.
Chervil is not only relatively easy to grow, it’s a good choice as a filler plant, especially if your garden has some shady areas or if you’re looking for anchor plants in spring and fall. You can expect new plants to appear in the following growing season, since chervil readily self-seeds. You can also expect butterflies, which it attracts.
Ornamental as it is, chervil is primarily a culinary herb. Cooks know it as one of the main ingredients of fines herbes, the classic French seasoning mixture. It also adds a delicate, anise-like flavor to soups, salads, sauces and egg, chicken and fish dishes.
Light requirement: Partial shade; can take full sun in winter.
Water requirement: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Prime growing season: Fall through spring.
When to plant: Sow seeds in place in fall in warmer-winter climates and in early spring in cold-winter climates; seedlings do not transplant easily.
Companion plantings: Chervil is an excellent addition to an ornamental garden, growing well with annuals and perennials. It’s also said that growing chervil next to radishes will make the latter spicier.
See more crops to grow in the cool season
Photo by Emma Jane Hogbin Westby
Ornamental as it is, chervil is primarily a culinary herb. Cooks know it as one of the main ingredients of fines herbes, the classic French seasoning mixture. It also adds a delicate, anise-like flavor to soups, salads, sauces and egg, chicken and fish dishes.
Light requirement: Partial shade; can take full sun in winter.
Water requirement: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Prime growing season: Fall through spring.
When to plant: Sow seeds in place in fall in warmer-winter climates and in early spring in cold-winter climates; seedlings do not transplant easily.
Companion plantings: Chervil is an excellent addition to an ornamental garden, growing well with annuals and perennials. It’s also said that growing chervil next to radishes will make the latter spicier.
See more crops to grow in the cool season
Photo by Emma Jane Hogbin Westby
Planting and care: Choose a spot that gets partial or dappled shade and gently work the soil, adding in a balanced fertilizer if your soil is poor. Spread the seeds or group them on top of the soil, as they need light to germinate. Thin seedlings to between 6 and 12 inches apart once they reach about 2 inches tall — leave less space between if you want the plants to support each other; leave more space for a more formal look. Chervil is also a good candidate for successive plantings. To prolong the growing season, sow seeds every two weeks.
You can grow chervil in a container as well. It has a long taproot, so look for a planter that is 10 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
10 Expert Tips for Growing Edibles in Containers
Photo by Edsel Little
You can grow chervil in a container as well. It has a long taproot, so look for a planter that is 10 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
10 Expert Tips for Growing Edibles in Containers
Photo by Edsel Little
Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season, but don’t let it get soggy. Remove any weeds around the plants. Pests are few, although you might be bothered by aphids, which can be hosed off with a spray of water or eliminated by encouraging ladybugs to visit your garden. Too much overhead watering could lead to powdery mildew in humid climates.
Cut off the early flower heads to encourage more leaf production. As the weather gets hotter and the leaf flavor wanes, let the flower heads remain for a picturesque addition to your garden and to encourage seed production for later.
Photo by Alexandre Dulaunoy
Cut off the early flower heads to encourage more leaf production. As the weather gets hotter and the leaf flavor wanes, let the flower heads remain for a picturesque addition to your garden and to encourage seed production for later.
Photo by Alexandre Dulaunoy
Harvest: Begin to harvest when the plants are about 6 inches tall, usually at about six to eight weeks. Chervil quickly loses its flavor, so use it immediately. You can freeze the leaves in ice cube trays, but they won’t be as flavorful as when freshly cut.
Photo by Edsel Little
More: See how to grow more culinary herbs
Photo by Edsel Little
More: See how to grow more culinary herbs
Related Stories
Winter Gardening
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more
Full Story
Gardening 101
What to Do in Your Edible Garden After the Summer Harvest
Set up your veggie garden to be productive and healthy year after year with this fall checklist
Full Story
Gardening Guides
12 Edibles Perfect to Plant in Late Summer
Keep those homegrown vegetables and greens coming well into fall
Full Story
Events
8 Edible Garden Ideas From the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show
This year’s event offered inspiring tips and creative ideas for nurturing edible plants in a variety of outdoor spaces
Full Story
Gardening and Landscaping
How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops
This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer
Full Story
Landscape Design
Before and After: 3 Beautiful Edible Gardens Rise From the Ground
Thoughtful designs, attractive raised beds and an abundance of plants transformed these outdoor spaces
Full Story
Outdoor Projects
What to Know About Adding or Renovating an Edible Garden
Learn what you need to create a plot that’s stylish and productive
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Start a Cool-Season Vegetable Garden
Late summer and late winter are good times to plan and plant cool-season crops like salad greens, spinach, beets, carrots and peas
Full Story
Summer Gardening
8 Last-Minute Additions to a Summer Edible Garden
It’s not too late to get these vegetables and herbs planted for a bountiful harvest this year
Full Story
Landscape Design
Yard of the Week: A Space for Growing Food and Entertaining
By Becky Harris
A landscape architect brings clean lines and a welcoming vibe to an overgrown Seattle yard
Full Story
Thank you for this. I use chervil in my cooking in the dried form. I grow herbs. But until now I did know I could grow this herb! Thanks
Thanks for sharing about chervil. It's very good to see that you covered almost all points.
Ynsdxssssgffddfdddwsswwwxxxxxewwewwwrgrrfsewrsc xpkguohhtgggyyyyrrrrewwwwwcxxxcxxxxobvvfg Xxhytgyki
Kkuoraftwfyecurhieewwwqqqqrefrrttewr