How to Grow Celery

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Apium graveolens

A cool-season crop with long, crisp stalks. Needs consistent moisture and rich soil. One of the most challenging vegetables for beginners due to its long indoor start and sensitivity to temperature extremes.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
80–120 days
typical
Per Square Foot
4
Plant Spacing
15 cm / 6"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
1.5" / 38 mm
Fertilization
heavy feeder

Growing Notes

Start indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost. Transplant after hardening off. Blanch stalks by mounding soil or wrapping with cardboard for mild flavour.

Varieties & Cultivars

5 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

1880s French heirloom

(1)
Giant Pascal
85–115 days Open-Pollinated

stringless; excellent old-fashioned celery flavour; cold-hardy; good for fall harvest; self-blanching tendency

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.2 lb (550 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Classic dark green stalks

(1)
Utah Tall
85–100 days Open-Pollinated

strong celery flavour; widely adapted

Height
24–30" (61–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 lb (500 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Early hybrid

(1)
Tango
80–85 days Hybrid

compact habit; good bolt resistance; smooth ribs

Height
18–24" (46–61 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
15.9 oz (450 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
3 years

Heirloom since 1800s

(1)
Golden Self-Blanching
90–120 days Open-Pollinated

buttery mild flavour; self-blanching habit; tender texture

Height
24–30" (61–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
15.9 oz (450 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Tall vigorous plants

(1)
Ventura
80–100 days Open-Pollinated

good for late-season harvest; stores well on the plant

Height
24–30" (61–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 lb (500 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside celery, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Tomato : Celery and tomato share moisture needs; celery repels whiteflies
Onion : Onion scent deters celery leaf miners and aphids
Leek : Celery and leeks share similar growing conditions and deter each other's pests
Beans : Beans fix nitrogen that heavy-feeding celery uses
Brussels Sprouts : Celery deters cabbage white butterflies from brussels sprouts
Cabbage : Celery deters cabbage white butterflies with its aromatic foliage

Keep Apart

Carrot : Same family (Apiaceae); share pests such as carrot rust fly and celery fly
Corn : Both heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and water

Square Foot Spacing

4 per sq ft

6" apart (2×2 grid)

View full spacing chart →

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