Parsley vs Sedum (Stonecrop)

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum spp.

Crassulaceae · groundcovers

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Parsley (Zones 5-9)

Sedum (Stonecrop) (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Parsley	Sedum (Stonecrop)
Scientific Name	Petroselinum crispum	Sedum spp.
Family	Apiaceae	Crassulaceae
Category	herbs	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Poor
Height	1'	6"
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow-green (second year)	Yellow, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean	Northern Hemisphere
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Parsley

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

✓Needs very little water once established.
✓Thrives in poor soil.
✓Break off stems and press into soil to propagate.
✓Great for green roofs and rock walls.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Sedum (Stonecrop) if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View ParsleyProfile →View Sedum (Stonecrop)Profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in the same hardiness zone?

Parsley grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Sedum (Stonecrop) grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) have the same sun and water needs?

Parsley needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Sedum (Stonecrop) needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Parsley or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Parsley grows taller at 1' compared to Sedum (Stonecrop) at 6". Parsley spreads 1' while Sedum (Stonecrop) spreads 2'.

Are Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) deer resistant?

Sedum (Stonecrop) is deer resistant, but Parsley is not. If deer are a concern, Sedum (Stonecrop) is the better choice, or protect Parsley with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Parsley or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Both Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Parsley	Sedum (Stonecrop)
Scientific Name	Petroselinum crispum	Sedum spp.
Family	Apiaceae	Crassulaceae
Category	herbs	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Poor
Height	1'	6"
Spread	1'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring-Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow-green (second year)	Yellow, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean	Northern Hemisphere
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

✓Needs very little water once established.
✓Thrives in poor soil.
✓Break off stems and press into soil to propagate.
✓Great for green roofs and rock walls.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Sedum (Stonecrop) if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in the same hardiness zone?

Parsley grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Sedum (Stonecrop) grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) have the same sun and water needs?

Parsley needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Sedum (Stonecrop) needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Parsley or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Parsley grows taller at 1' compared to Sedum (Stonecrop) at 6". Parsley spreads 1' while Sedum (Stonecrop) spreads 2'.

Are Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) deer resistant?

Sedum (Stonecrop) is deer resistant, but Parsley is not. If deer are a concern, Sedum (Stonecrop) is the better choice, or protect Parsley with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Parsley or Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Both Parsley and Sedum (Stonecrop) have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.