Celery
Celery is a vegetable in the Apiaceae family. It grows best in full sun with medium to wet moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 2-13. Plants reach harvest about 60–138 days after planting and sit about 6 inches apart.
Varieties
13 from True Leaf Market, High Mowing & Seeds Now · sorted by days to maturity▸Nan Ling Cutting60–90 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual
Non-GMO Nan Ling Cutting Celery is an Asian celery variety that has a sweet and delicate flavor. Cutting Celery is the familiar flavor in many Chinese dishes. Known for its smaller size, leaf celery is used for its stalk and leaves. Kintsai, as it's often called, can be used for microgreens after 30 days or be fully developed 60-90 days.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Merengo F168–92 days
Vigorous; 28” tall
Resistance: HR: Fusarium Yellows
Early variety with compact plants for easy packing. Robust plants grow quickly and have good flavor and texture. Tall, dark green stalks with healthy tops. Performed extremely well in our trials through wet conditions. Comparable to Calypso. Pelleted seed only.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from spring transplanting. Celery and celeriac can be a challenging crop for beginning growers. These crops require a very long growing season with heavy feeding and a steady water supply. Transplanting is highly recommended; start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before planting date. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 70-75°F and tiny seeds require shallow planting. Harden off plants by reducing water for one week. Do not decrease temperature, as a ten day period with nights below 40°F and days below 55°F can cause bolting. Transplant when outside temperatures are consistently over 50°F. In hot climates, celery may require partial shade. Celery is commonly blanched by covering plants, hilling with soil or planting close together. After harvest, cool stalk heads immediately in water and store at 34°F with 95% relative humidity for up to two weeks.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Golden72–98 days
Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow
Plant grows excellent quality stalks of celery - Stalks are thick and heavy, but no strings - One of the best varieties around - Plant grows to about 30" tall - Easy to grow Days to Maturity | 85 days Celery Seeds | Celery seed is usually started indoors about 10 weeks before it is time to set the plants outdoors. Plant in rows 2 feet apart; with 6 - 8 inches between plants. Click here for complete Celery grow guide
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Golden Boy72–98 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual
Golden Boy Celery Seeds. Heirloom, Annual. Apium gravolens. 85 days to maturity. Golden Boy grows 18 to 20 inches tall. Approximately 70,000 seeds/ounce
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Golden Self Blanching72–98 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual
Non-GMO Golden Self-Blanching Celery Seeds from True Leaf Market are a stocky, resistant heirloom celery variety. The open-pollinated, upright celery produces thick, string-free stalks that are crisp and rich. As a self-blanching celery variety, Golden celery doesn't require any trenching or efforts to blanch the stalks. For the best results, be sure to grow this Golden self-blanching celery in a location with full sun and rich, fertile soil. Mountain Valley Seed Company, and independent, family-owned seed supplier is known for offering premium-quality heirloom vegetable seeds, such as Golden self-blanching celery, in quantities that meet the needs of both home growers and fresh market producers. 85 days to maturity.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Tango72–98 days
Self-blanching; 18-20” tall
Greatly improved variety that is early and easy to grow. Plants are vigorous with good flavor; excellent for shorter seasons and home gardens. Smooth, non-stringy stalks with a big celery crunch and beautiful, apple-green tops. The most forgiving of our celery varieties. Available as raw or pelleted seed.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from spring transplanting. Celery and celeriac can be a challenging crop for beginning growers. These crops require a very long growing season with heavy feeding and a steady water supply. Transplanting is highly recommended; start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before planting date. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 70-75°F and tiny seeds require shallow planting. Harden off plants by reducing water for one week. Do not decrease temperature, as a ten day period with nights below 40°F and days below 55°F can cause bolting. Transplant when outside temperatures are consistently over 50°F. In hot climates, celery may require partial shade. Celery is commonly blanched by covering plants, hilling with soil or planting close together. After harvest, cool stalk heads immediately in water and store at 34°F with 95% relative humidity for up to two weeks.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Tall Utah 52-7085–115 days
Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow
Tall Utah celery thrives in garden beds and containers, rewarding growers with crisp, flavorful stalks perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or cooking. Plant seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost, then transplant into rows spaced 2 feet apart with 6–8 inches between plants. This variety develops strong roots and excellent heart formation, reaching full maturity in about 100 days. With consistent moisture and moderate care, you'll harvest tender 11–12 inch stalks that make a nutritious addition to any home garden, no matter the size. Recommended by USU. Produces strong and delicious 11" - 12" tall stalks of celery. Good heart development and strong roots. Excellent for juicing or blending into health drinks. Easy to grow. Definitely worth including in any sized garden. Days to Maturity | 100 days Celery Seeds | Celery seed is usually started indoors about 10 weeks before it is time to set the plants outdoors. Plant in rows 2 feet apart; with 6 - 8 inches between plants. Click here for complete Celery grow guide.
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Tendercrisp85–100 days
Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow
Tendercrisp celery is a high-performing heirloom variety distinguished by its pale green, densely packed stalks and exceptional tenderness without excessive fiber. This cultivar demonstrates robust disease resistance and adapts well to varied soil compositions and climatic zones. The plants reach maturity in approximately 85 days and produce consistently sized bunches suitable for fresh market applications. Optimal results require steady moisture management, nitrogen-rich amendments, and proper spacing to facilitate adequate air movement. Ideal for gardeners seeking reliable production and superior eating quality. A very large type of celery with excellent flavor. Days to Maturity | 85-100 days Celery seed is usually started indoors about 10 weeks before it is time to set the plants outdoors. Plant in rows 2 feet apart; with 6 - 8 inches between plants. Click here for complete Celery grow guide
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Utah 52-7085–115 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual
100 days. Utah 52-70 Celery Seeds. Apium graveolens var. dulce. Non-GMO. Heirloom. The Utah 52-70 is a variety of celery seed that is ideal for short seasons, as it can be harvested at any point after the stalks reach at least six inches in height. The Utah 52-70 Celery is greener and grows taller than the regular Utah variety. This variety of celery is recommended by Utah State University, and is a good option for gardeners with limited space. Approx. 70,000 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Giant Golden Pascal98–132 days
Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Vegetable; Annual
Apium graveolens (115 days) Also known as "Giant Pascal Celery", "Winter King" or "Pascal Giant Celery". Giant Golden Pascal is a French Heirloom that grows to great heights. Touted in all the old catalogs as THE celery for winter use. The celery can reach 2' tall and have 2" thick succulent, nutty stems. Approx. 65,000 seeds/ounce.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Red Stalk (Organic)100–120 days
Heirloom; Organic; Non-GMO; Container; Vegetable; Annual
Apium graveolens Approximately 1,000 Organic celery seeds per 500 mg packet. Red Stalk celery has been grown since the 1700s.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Redventure (Organic)100–110 days
Heirloom; Organic; Non-GMO; Container; Vegetable; Annual
500 mg 1,000-1,500 Organic celery seeds per package. A cross between Giant Red Celery and Ventura Celery. Ventura is one of the most adaptive and resilient celery varieties. Giant red celery is one of Europe's most treasured heirlooms, not only for it's striking color, but its true celery flavor that is prized in soups. Redventure combines the best of both of these celeries.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Utah 52-70 Tall Improved (Organic)102–138 days
Heirloom / Open Pollinated; Vegetable; Annual; Good choice for container growing; USDA certified organic seeds
Apium graveolens (120 days) Introduced by Ferry-Morse Seed Company in 1953. Imagine tall, Organic, tasty crunchy Organic celery grown in your own backyard. You know it has got to taste better than anything that came from the store. Utah 52-70 is an improved celery that grows taller, with longer ribs, deeper green color and sweeter than the original Utah. Approx. 65,000 Seeds per ounce.
View on True Leaf Market ↗
Plant spacing
In a square-foot bed, space celery about 6 in apart — that fits 4 plants in each 1-foot square (2×2). Wider rows or containers space the same.
Plan your celery planting
Add celery to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.
Start your free plan →At a glance
Storing & preserving
Most keep best refrigerated; storage crops prefer a cool, dry spot.
- Freeze: Blanch briefly, cool, then freeze — keeps color and texture.
- Can: Pressure-can low-acid vegetables; water-bath only pickled/acidified ones.
General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Growing timeline
Companion planting — with cited sources
From US/Canada cooperative-extension publications and peer-reviewed studies. Evidence-tier dots show how strongly each recommendation is backed: ●●● peer-reviewed mechanism · ●● extension consensus · ● traditional knowledge with a plausible mechanism.
Pairs well with (2)
- Common CabbageEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter
Celery is traditionally planted with cabbage and other brassicas; extension home-garden references propose that celery foliage volatiles (apiole, limonene) deter imported cabbageworm adults from laying. Empirical replication is limited but the pairing is consistently cited. Shares Apium graveolens chemistry and the same partial-deterrence rationale; see common celery for full discussion.
Source: University of Maryland Extension, S13
- Common TomatoEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationflavor-folklore
Celery / tomato is a long-standing folk pairing with no replicated mechanism beyond shared cultural requirements (full sun, steady moisture, rich soil). Included for completeness; tier C with flavor-folklore tag.
Source: University of Maryland Extension
Avoid planting near (1)
- CarrotEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationalternate-host-pest
Both Apiaceae; share carrot rust fly, aphids, and Alternaria / Cercospora leaf blights. Extension references recommend separating celery and carrot beds and not rotating one into the other within 3 years.
Source: University of Maryland Extension, S13
Sources cited
- S13
- University of New Hampshire Extension
- S9
- University of Maryland Extension — Home & Garden Info Center
Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations
When to feed, prune & water
Attract beneficial insects and protect pollinators
Protection- Routine carePlant insectary flowers and tolerate light pestsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Grow a diversity of flowering plants (including small-flowered umbels and asters) to feed predators and parasitoids, and tolerate low pest numbers so natural enemies have prey to stick around.
- Routine careNever spray open bloomsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Avoid insecticides on flowering plants and apply any needed sprays in the evening when pollinators aren't active, and favor selective products over broad-spectrum ones to spare bees and beneficials.
Keep celery consistently moist in rich soil
Watering- Routine careNever let celery dry out· every 2 daysstrong evidence — extension confidence
Celery is shallow-rooted and very water-demanding, so keep the soil evenly moist at all times; uneven watering leads to stringy, bitter, hollow stalks. Grow it in soil enriched with plenty of organic matter and mulch to hold moisture between waterings.
Mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture
Mulch- Routine careApply organic mulch around plantsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Spread a few inches of straw, shredded leaves, or compost around established plants (keeping it off stems) to hold soil moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature; wait until soil has warmed for heat-loving crops.
Plan crop rotation
Rotation- Routine careRotate plant families between bedsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Avoid planting the same family in the same bed in consecutive years (aim for a 3+ year gap), grouping crops by family so soilborne diseases and pests that build up don't carry over to the next susceptible crop.
- Routine careSequence for soil healthmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Follow heavy feeders like tomatoes and brassicas with legumes or a cover crop to support soil fertility and structure, and keep simple notes each year so you can track where each family grew.
Thin crowded seedlings to final spacing
Thinning- Routine careThin to ~2 in spacing, then again later· every 3 wks · ~3 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Crowded carrots stay small and forked. Thin to about 1 in when seedlings are 2-3 in tall, then to 2-3 in a few weeks later. Snip rather than pull to avoid disturbing neighbors.
Clean up debris and sanitize at season end
SanitationUnusual this time of year.
- Routine careRemove spent plants and fallen debrisstrong evidence — extension confidence
Pull and clear old plants, dropped fruit, and leaf litter at season end, since many pests and diseases overwinter in this debris; dispose of diseased material rather than composting it.
- Routine careClean tools, stakes, and cagesmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Wash and sanitize stakes, cages, and tools that touched diseased plants before storing or reusing them to avoid carrying pathogens into next season.
Something looks wrong?
Describe what you see on your celeryand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.
Bacterial soft rot
Diseasesevere- CulturalRemove rotting plants and produce (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence
Soft rot can't be cured once tissue breaks down; promptly remove and discard affected plants and produce so the bacteria don't spread to neighbors or other stored vegetables.
- CulturalAvoid wounds and excess moisturestrong evidence — extension confidence
Harvest in dry conditions, handle gently to avoid bruising, control insects that create entry wounds, and improve drainage; cure and store bulbs and roots cool and dry.
- CulturalDon't overwater and rotatemoderate evidence — extension confidence
Avoid waterlogged soil and overhead watering that splashes bacteria, and rotate away from previously affected fleshy crops to lower disease pressure.
Southern blight
Diseasesevere- CulturalRemove infected plants and surrounding soil (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence
Once a plant collapses it can't be cured; dig out the plant plus the top few inches of nearby soil containing sclerotia and dispose of it, avoiding spread on tools.
- CulturalBury residue and rotatemoderate evidence — extension confidence
Deep-turn soil to bury sclerotia, remove crop debris at season end, and rotate susceptible solanaceous and legume crops with grasses for several seasons.
- CulturalAdjust soil pH and plant earlymoderate evidence — extension confidence
Maintain soil pH at the level recommended for the crop, since the disease is worse in low-pH soils, and time plantings so harvest begins before peak summer heat favors the fungus.
White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot)
Diseasesevere- CulturalRemove infected plants (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence
There's no cure for an infected plant; cut out and bag affected plants including the black sclerotia, and don't compost them, since sclerotia survive years in soil.
- CulturalOpen the canopy and rotatestrong evidence — extension confidence
Space plants widely, control weeds, orient rows to prevailing wind, and avoid overhead watering at bloom to dry the canopy; rotate to non-host crops (corn or other grasses) for several years.
- CulturalWater at the base, not overheadmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Use drip or soaker irrigation to keep foliage and the soil surface drier, which discourages the sclerotia germination and mycelial growth that drive white mold.
Carrot rust fly
Pestmoderate- CulturalRow cover + delay sowingstrong evidence — extension confidence
Cover the bed with insect netting from sowing, and avoid the spring egg-laying peak by sowing a little later. Crop rotation helps.
Celery blackheart (calcium disorder)
Disordermoderate- CulturalSteady the water supplystrong evidence — extension confidence
Blackheart is a calcium disorder caused by calcium not reaching the fast-growing heart, usually triggered by uneven soil moisture and hot weather rather than low soil calcium. Keep soil moisture even with regular watering and mulch, and avoid heavy nitrogen pushes that force rapid growth.
Celery leaf spot (early and late blight)
Diseasemoderate- CulturalSanitation and dry foliagestrong evidence — extension confidence
Early blight (Cercospora) and late blight (Septoria) are fungal leaf spots that spread in wet foliage; use disease-free seed, remove infected leaves and end-of-season debris, water at the base, and rotate out of the carrot family. Space plants for good airflow so leaves dry quickly.
Root rot from overwatering / poor drainage
Diseasemoderate- CulturalLet soil drain and water lessstrong evidence — extension confidence
Water root rots like Pythium thrive in saturated soil, so cut back watering, let the surface dry between irrigations, and water at the base rather than keeping soil constantly wet.
- CulturalImprove drainage and aerationstrong evidence — extension confidence
Use raised beds, loosen compacted soil, and add organic matter to improve drainage; remove plants that are already rotted since affected roots won't recover.
Tarnished plant bug / lygus
Pestmoderate- CulturalManage surrounding weedsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Keep broadleaf weeds mowed or removed around the garden, since lygus build up on flowering weeds and move to crops as those weeds dry down; avoid mowing large weedy areas right beside fruiting crops at bloom.
- CulturalVacuum or shake plants to monitor and reduce· every 5 daysmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Tap plants over a light-colored tray to check for nymphs; a handheld vacuum used once or twice weekly can hold low to moderate numbers down on small plantings.
- OrganicTreat nymphs if damage is building· every 1 wkmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For active nymph infestations, azadirachtin or a Beauveria bassiana product can give some control per the label; preserve the parasitic wasps and other natural enemies that help suppress lygus.
Aphids
Pestlow- CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.