Chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium
A delicate annual culinary herb with lacy, fern-like leaves, grown in gardens. One of the classic French fines herbes, it prefers cool weather and light shade.
- Light
- Partial shade
- Water
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Chervil is a refined, fast-growing annual culinary herb in the carrot family, prized for its finely divided, fern-like foliage. It is one of the four traditional French fines herbes.
A cool-season herb, chervil bolts quickly in heat and bright sun, so it grows best in spring, autumn, and partial shade.
How to identify it
- Soft, lacy, fern-like (finely divided) leaves, lighter and more delicate than parsley
- Slender, branching, hollow stems reaching 30-60 cm (12-24 in)
- Small white flowers in flat umbels, typical of the carrot family
- Mild aroma when leaves are crushed
- Quickly bolts to flower in heat
Care & growing
Chervil rewards cool, shaded, moist conditions.
- Light: Partial shade; avoid hot, full sun which triggers bolting
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist; it dislikes drying out
- Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Temperature: Cool-season herb; thrives in spring and autumn and dislikes heat
- Feeding: Light feeding for tender leaves
- Propagation: Direct-sow seed in succession; it resents transplanting and self-seeds readily
Habitat & origin
Native to the Caucasus region, southeastern Europe, and western Asia, chervil has naturalized across Europe and parts of North America.
It grows in shaded, moist spots along woodland edges, hedgerows, and disturbed ground, and is widely cultivated as a cool-season garden herb.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recognize chervil?
Look for soft, lacy, fern-like finely divided leaves, slender hollow stems, and small white flowers in flat umbels typical of the carrot family.
Why does my chervil keep bolting?
Chervil is a cool-season herb that flowers quickly in heat and full sun. Grow it in partial shade during spring and autumn and sow in succession.
How tall does chervil grow?
It forms slender, branching clumps usually 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) tall.
What are the fines herbes?
Fines herbes is a classic French blend of chervil, parsley, chives, and tarragon.
Chervil guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Chervil.
