🥦 Celery
Apium graveolens var. dulce
vegetables
stem vegetable
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6 hours); tolerates partial shade, especially in warm climates
💧 Water
Very high; 1.5, 2 inches per week; celery is 95% water , NEVER let soil dry out; consistent moisture prevents tough, stringy, bitter stalks; considered one of the most water-demanding vegetables
🗺️ Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
🧪 Soil pH
6.0, 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
🪴 Soil Type
Very rich, moisture-retentive soil with very high organic matter; celery is a marsh plant in origin and requires exceptional fertility
🚿 Drainage
Moisture-retentive but not waterlogged; consistent moisture is the single most important factor for tender, non-stringy celery
📏 Spacing
10, 12 inches apart in rows 24, 30 inches apart; closer spacing promotes self-blanching
⏱️ Maturity
85-120 days (from transplant); 130-150 days from seed
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Stalks (petioles)
🍽️ Leaves (celery leaf , excellent in stocks, soups, salads; more flavorful than stalks)
🍽️ Seeds (celery seed , spice)
🍽️ Root (celeriac , different variety)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (9)
Celery's strong scent deters cabbage pests from broccoli; both need consistent moisture.
Beans fix nitrogen benefiting celery; celery repels some bean pests
Celery repels cabbage moths; both thrive in rich, moist soil.
Celery deters cabbage pests from cauliflower with aromatic foliage.
Improves celery growth and flavor; antifungal
Mutual pest protection , leeks repel celery pests; celery may deter leek moth; they share similar moisture needs ('dynamic duo' in French intensive gardening)
Trap crop for aphids; repels celery pests IMPORTANT management caveat: without active management, nasturtiums can become a SOURCE of aphids that migrate to nearby crops. Either remove aphid-infested nasturtium plants promptly, or treat the trap crop itself to eliminate the aphid colony before it spreads. Strategic placement within 4-5 feet of protected crops is key.
Celery may repel tomato hornworm and some tomato pests; tomatoes provide light shade
⚠️ Keep Apart (4)
Mutual antagonism reported , both may stunt each other's growth
Allelopathic
Same family (Apiaceae) , shared pests and diseases (celery fly, carrot rust fly)
💊 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Properties
- Contains apigenin , flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer properties
- Traditional use for lowering blood pressure (contains phthalides)
- Celery seed: traditional diuretic, used for gout and arthritis (anti-inflammatory)
- High in vitamin K, vitamin A, and potassium; very low calorie
📝 Growing Notes
Celery is notoriously difficult to grow , it's a heavy feeder with high water demands and a long season (100, 140 days). Originated as a marsh plant; 'trench celery' is traditionally grown in trenches filled with compost for constant moisture. Self-blanching varieties need closer spacing. Celery is day-length sensitive , can bolt if exposed to cold temperatures for extended periods. Start indoors 10, 12 weeks before last frost.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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