Skip to main content

Marsh Parsley

Cyclospermum leptophyllum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Marsh Parsley (Cyclospermum leptophyllum)
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Toxicity unknown

Marsh Parsley (Cyclospermum leptophyllum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–16" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun, Jul

Pollinators

bees, flies

Native alternatives to Marsh Parsley

Marsh Parsley is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Wondering what could grow where Marsh Parsley is now? Upload a photo of the spot and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it replanted with natives for your region.

Try it with your yardDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Marsh parsley is a small annual herb with delicate, finely divided foliage that creates a soft, feathery texture. This species produces tiny white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters from April through July, adding subtle detail to garden beds.

Get an email before your first frost

We'll email you a week before frost can first reach your ZIP. You also get a printable fall checklist with your dates right away.

You'll also get our weekly yard notes. Unsubscribe anytime.

In an HOA neighborhood

Marsh Parsley takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Fine foliage can appear weedy to untrained eyes
  • Annual nature means gaps when plants die back
  • Small stature may look unkempt in formal settings

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract beneficial insects including native bees and flies during its extended spring and summer bloom period.

Common questions

How much sun does Marsh Parsley need?
Marsh Parsley grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Marsh Parsley bloom?
Marsh Parsley blooms in April, May, June, and July.
What pollinators does Marsh Parsley attract?
Marsh Parsley draws bees and flies.
Is Marsh Parsley HOA-friendly?
Marsh Parsley takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Marsh Parsley? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden
iPhone appAndroid app