Celery plants are a type of biennial herb that are part of the Apiaceae family. They are usually grown for their edible stalks, but their leaves and seeds are also edible and can be used as seasonings. Celery plants can grow up to two feet tall and have long, thin stems with green, feathery leaves. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Celery is a cool-season crop and is typically harvested in late summer or early fall.
Planning Your Garden With Celery
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Celery is a biennial. |
| USDA Zone | Celery is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Celery is a cold-tolerant plant and can survive temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest celery is around 70-80 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown celery plant is between 12 and 24 inches tall. |
| Spacing requirements | Celery plants should be spaced around 8-12 inches apart in rows that are spaced 24-30 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Celery is considered a partial sun plant, meaning that it prefers 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If it receives too much sun, the leaves may become scorched or yellowed. |
| Shade tolerance | Celery is a moderately shade tolerant plant and can tolerate up to 25-50% shade. |
| Water requirements | Celery requires consistently moist soil with an even supply of water. It should be watered deeply and often, about 1 inch per week, and the soil should be kept evenly moist. It is best to water celery in the morning, so the water has time to soak in and the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. Avoid over-watering, as this can cause the celery to become limp and soggy. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing celery depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet of garden space. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing celery is 6.0 to 6.8. |
Why Celery is Popular
People like to grow celery because it is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is also relatively easy to grow and can be harvested over a long period of time. Additionally, celery has a mild, refreshing flavor that many people enjoy.
Companion Plants For Celery
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for celery include:
Common Pests For Celery
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow celery, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leaf miners
- thrips
- slugs
- aphids
- cutworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
