Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Annual Biennial

Pastinaca sativa 'Pearl'PBR
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

parsnip 'Pearl'

Attractive, long slender roots with a smooth white skin and a pleasant taste make this a good variety to grow. What makes it stand out though is that it stores brilliantly in the ground over winter and has good canker resistance. Sow: February to May, Harvest: July to March

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Clay
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful to skin with sunlight. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful to skin with sunlight - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus

A small genus of flowering, biennial plants from the carrot family. The cultivated species of parsnip is well-known for its edible, sweet, cream-yellow taproot. Flowers are produced in umbels, carried at the top of upright stems in second year

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow on an open, sunny site with deep, light soil. Keep the soil evenly moist to prevent roots splitting. Add well-rotted manure the previous autumn, especially if growing on a clay or chalk soil. Chalk and clay aren’t ideal for growing parsnips so you could also try deep containers. The ideal soil pH is 6.5-7 so adjust pH where necessary. See parsnip cultivation for more information.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to carrot fly.

Diseases

May be susceptible to parsnip canker.

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.