Type
heirloom
Parsnip variety
Hollow Crown Parsnip
A classic old parsnip with long white roots and strong traditional flavor. It has been grown for generations and remains a standard benchmark variety.
Days to maturity
110-130
Best for
traditional fall and winter harvests
About Hollow Crown
Hollow Crown is a long-cultivated open-pollinated heirloom named for the slight cupped depression at the crown where the leaves attach. It produces long, tapering white roots with broad shoulders, often reaching 10 to 12 inches or more, and offers the sweet, nutty flavor classic to old-fashioned parsnips. Its length makes it a favorite for deep, well-worked garden beds.
Growing Hollow Crown Parsnip
Because the roots grow long and straight, give this variety deep, loose, stone-free soil and thin seedlings to about 4 to 6 inches apart. Sow in spring using fresh seed, since parsnip seed loses viability quickly and germinates slowly, and keep the bed evenly moist for even sprouting. Leave roots in the ground until after a hard frost or two, which converts starch to sugar and improves sweetness.
Full growing guide
For planting dates, care, and harvest that apply to all parsnips, see the complete guide.
How to grow ParsnipsOther parsnips varieties
Variety characteristics are general guidance for US home gardens; performance varies by climate, soil, and season. Seed and plant availability differs by supplier. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.