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Entire healthy mature celery plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 30–45 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide at maturity.

Celery

Apium graveolens var. dulce (Mill.) Pers.

Also called: Celeriac (var. rapaceum, related)

Family
Apiaceae
Season
Cool-season biennial grown as an annual
Best grown in
Portland, Oregon

A demanding, thirsty crop: a long indoor start, rich soil and constant water produce crisp stalks.

Safety: Sap can cause skin photosensitivity in some people.

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Life cycle & growth stages

  1. 1. SeedSurface-sow indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost.
  2. 2. SeedlingSlow; 2–3 weeks to emerge.
  3. 3. TransplantSet out after frost, 20–25 cm apart.
  4. 4. Mid-growthStalks thicken with steady water.
  5. 5. Harvest readyStalks 20–30 cm.
  6. 6. HarvestCut outer stalks or whole plant.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

Start indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost; transplant from last frost to 3 weeks after; 85–120 days to maturity from transplant. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

CeleryApium graveolens var. dulce
PlantStart indoorsDirect sowAutumn sowTransplantTendHarvest
CeleryJan 11–Jan 25 (estimate)——Apr 5–Apr 26 (estimate)Apr 26–Jun 29 (estimate)Jun 29–Oct 5 (estimate)
  • Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25
  • Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 26
  • Tend and monitor: Apr 26 – Jun 29
  • Harvest: Jun 29 – Oct 5

Spacing & support

In-row 20–25 cm; rows 45–60 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm, 2 plants per cell.

Side-profile diagram of mature celery: canopy 30–45 cm tall, 20–30 cm wide, shallow root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil
Very rich, moisture-retentive soil
pH
6–7
Fertility
high
Water
Constant moisture; never let it dry out.
Frost
half hardy; tolerates frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

Celery mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Harvest signs

  • Stalks 20–30 cm and crisp
  • Cut individual outer stalks or the whole head
Celery at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: stalks 20–30 cm and crisp; cut individual outer stalks or the whole head.

Common problems

Pests: slugs, aphids, carrot rust fly, celery leaf miner

Diseases: leaf spot (Septoria), bolting (physiological)

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

Side-by-side: healthy celery leaf or fruit and an example of leaf spot.

Container growing

  • Minimum 15 L (25 cm deep)
  • Use quality potting mix and water more frequently
Mature celery in a correctly sized container (15 L or more) with drainage visible.

Companion overview

2 reviewed relationship records (evidence: low).

Supported or conditional

None reviewed

Avoid or separate

None with evidence

2 popular pairings reviewed with no verified relationship.

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Avoid planting celery or other carrot family crops in the same spot for 2 years. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.

Year 1Year 2Year 3ApiaceaeOther familyOther familyback after 2+ years

Shared risks in Apiaceae: carrot rust fly, Alternaria leaf blight, parsley worm (swallowtail caterpillar).

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing celery

Celery is sown indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost, on the surface because it needs light, and transplanted after frost. It needs 85–120 days, rich soil and water that never lapses; stress makes stalks stringy and hollow and can trigger bolting.

Celery seed beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Celery seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Celery mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Self-blanching cultivars avoid the trench-and-earth-up method. Slugs, aphids and carrot rust fly are the pests; celery is an Apiaceae crop for rotation.

Two or more mature celery plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (20–25 cm).
Celery flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature stalks of celery developing on the plant.

Edible parts and safety

Edible: stalks, leaves, seeds. Sap can cause skin photosensitivity in some people.

Hands or tool harvesting celery correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.

Pests and diseases

Common pests: slugs, aphids, carrot rust fly, celery leaf miner. Common diseases: leaf spot (Septoria), bolting (physiological). These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.

slugs on celery, with a wider damage-context view.

Timeline

Season timeline for celery: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Start seeds indoors Jan 11–Jan 25; Transplant outdoors Apr 5–Apr 26; Tend and monitor Apr 26–Jun 29; Harvest Jun 29–Oct 5.

Related plants

See also: Apiaceae family page · crop rotation · regional calendar · guides

Our Methodology & Sources

We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.

Evidence tiers

Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified

Primary source types

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University extension publications
  • Government & research institute reports
  • Systematic reviews & meta-analyses

Last updated

August 24, 2026

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