Chervil is a delicate, ferny French herb with a subtle parsley-aniseed flavour, prized in fine cooking. It likes it cool and shady — a lovely herb for the shadier side of a raised bed.
Quick facts
- Position: part shade; dislikes hot sun
- Spacing: 15–20 cm apart
- Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
- Time to harvest: 6–8 weeks
When to plant: Chervil loves the cool — sow directly from autumn through early spring, and give it shade in warm weather, as it bolts fast in heat. Sow a fresh patch every few weeks. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.
Growing it in a raised bed: Sow seed where it's to grow — it resents transplanting. A cool, part-shaded, moist spot keeps it in leaf longest.
Watering and feeding: Keep the mix evenly moist — dry, hot conditions send it straight to seed.
Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.
Common problems: the main one to watch is powdery mildew and damping-off, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.
Companion plants: Said to be a good companion that improves nearby herbs; let some flower for the beneficial insects. See our companion planting guide.
Harvest and storage: Pick the outer leaves young and often. Use it fresh — its delicate flavour vanishes when dried or cooked hard.
More growing guides: dill, sorrel and tarragon.
Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.
Image: Schlaghecken Josef, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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