do you see anything on the undersides of the leaves??

indoors or out???

ken

The same light tan spots are on the underside of the leaves. I am now noticing this on my other herbs too. I can remove these easily with my fingers. These herbs are inside. I notice what I think are black fungus gnats flying around them. Thanks.

Is it indoors? If you have any outdoor space put it there. Parsley hates indoor life and falls prey to any passing problem. In fact that goes for all herbs. I'd start new parsley from seed outside as insurance, unless you live somewhere with cold and early winters.

Any chance of a good picture?

If these tan dots can easily be removed, then I'm going to guess aphids.

I would just add to floral's comments that plants that can grow happily outdoors make very poor houseplants indoors. Not only are the growing conditions far from being suitable - not enough sun, too consistant temperatures, too low humidity - but the stresses of being grown in an unfavorable environment opens them up to all manner of insect and disease issues as well.

The temperatures are getting cool now so I prefer to keep them indoors. Even if I gently shake the leaves the tan spots fall right off. I have taken pictures of the leaves - let me know if you need further pictures. I see black gnats flying around so wondering how to get rid of those. I do not see aphids unless maybe the little black flies are aphids? Thanks.

"The temperatures are getting cool now..."

My parsley in the ground can handle light frosts. I'd find a way to slowly move them outside.

As for the spots falling off, as mentioned above, likely aphids. Take them outside and gently hose them off and keep an eye on them.

tj

Do I need to use insecticidal soap or just hose them off? Thanks.

Parsley doesn't care about cold temps. It can be grown down to zone 4, -30F. Won't take that degree of cold in a container without protection but it would still be much happier outside - and without fungus gnats.

Honestly, your parsley would be infinitely happier outside. It doesn't need protection from cool temps. Aphids are always worse on weak plants and yours is weak from being inside and in a crowded pot. Aphids have no natural enemies indoors such as birds, predatory insects, wind or rain.

The mint next to the parsley also looks really unhappy. It too would be far healthier outside. And in a much bigger pot.

Thank you for all of your advice - I really appreciate it. Taking everything outside and repotting.

Just be sure to slowly acclimate them to being outside.

tj

ETA:

"Parsley doesn't care about cold temps. It can be grown down to zone 4,
-30F. Won't take that degree of cold in a container without protection..."

In 25 years of growing parsley in zone 5 it overwintered twice. Each was a rare year that we did not have any sub-zero nights and there was a blanket of snow for insulation.

Thanks for the helpful information.

I really wouldn't bother repotting the parsley. It has a taproot and resents disturbance. It is also biennial which means you need to sow it afresh every year to keep a continuous supply going. I'd put yours outside, use what's left of it and chalk it up to experience. Even in my climate, although it overwinters, it bolts come spring and needs resowing.