Complete Guide to Growing Celery: From Seed to Stalk

Today we’re talking about growing celery. Celery is a cool-season crop that requires patience, plenty of water, and the right conditions to thrive. Whether you want to grow celery from seed, start with a live starter plant from a garden center, or even regrow it from grocery store scraps, there’s a method to fit every gardener’s skill level.

Homegrown celery offers the best flavor, free from pesticide residue, and can be harvested fresh as needed.

Is Celery Hard to Grow?

Yes, celery is often considered one of the more challenging vegetables to grow, especially for beginners. It requires a long growing season, consistent moisture, and cool temperatures to develop crisp, flavorful stalks. Here are some of the main reasons why celery can be tricky to grow.

Complete Guide to Growing Celery From Seed to Stalk

Why Celery Is Difficult to Grow?

Slow Germination & Growth. Celery seeds are small seeds that take a long time (up to three weeks) to germinate. The plants also grow slowly, requiring 10-12 weeks indoors before they are ready to be transplanted outside.
High Water Needs. Celery is a heavy feeder that requires lots of water throughout the growing season. Inconsistent watering can cause hollow stems, black heart, or bitter-tasting stalks.
Temperature Sensitivity. Celery prefers cooler temperatures but struggles in warm weather. If exposed to warm temperatures too soon, the plants may bolt (go to seed prematurely), making the entire plant unusable.
Nutrient Demands. Celery grows best in rich soil with plenty of compost and organic matter. Without sufficient nutrients, the celery plants will remain small stalks instead of growing into full-sized, healthy plants.
Pests & Diseases. Celery is prone to fungal disease like black heart, especially if the soil moisture is inconsistent. Pests such as aphids and slugs also target the young plants.

Is Celery Worth Growing?

Despite its challenges, homegrown celery seems to have a better best flavor compared to store-bought. For those in a cooler climate or willing to put in the effort, growing celery can be rewarding.

What Is Celery?

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a cool-season crop grown for its crisp, flavorful stalks, though its leaves, seeds, and root (celeriac) are also edible. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, along with carrots and parsley. Celery has a long growing season and thrives in cool temperatures, making it a bit tricky to grow. However, with plenty of water, rich soil, and a sunny spot, you can enjoy fresh celery from your own garden.

What Does Celery Look Like?

Celery plants have tall, ribbed stalks that range from light green to pale yellow in self-blanching types. The outer stalks are thicker and more fibrous, while the inner stalks tend to be tender and milder in flavor. Celery also has lush, feathery leaves that resemble parsley and can be used for seasoning. If you’re growing celery root (celeriac), the plant develops a knobby, round root instead of long stalks.

What Does Celery Taste Like?

Celery has a mildly bitter, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor with a refreshing crunch. The best flavor comes from garden-grown celery, which tends to be crisper and more aromatic than grocery store varieties.

The celery leaves have a stronger, slightly peppery taste, while the stalks are more watery and mild. If not properly cared for, celery can develop hollow stems or become too tough and bitter.

Types of Celery to Grow

There are different celery varieties, and choosing the right one for your growing zone is key to great success. The two main types include:

Self-blanching varieties. These require less effort because they naturally develop tender, pale stalks. A good choice for beginner gardeners.
Traditional trench celery. This type requires mounding soil around the base of the plants to keep the stalks tender and sweet.

You can also grow wild celery, which has a stronger celery flavor and is commonly used in soups and stews.

Growing Celery from Seed

It has a long growing season, so it’s best to sow celery seeds indoors about 10-12 weeks before your last frost date. Since the small seeds take a long time to germinate, a grow light can help provide the necessary hours of direct sunlight for healthy young plants.

Steps to Grow Celery from Seed

Sow seed in individual pots or plug trays filled with rich soil mixed with plenty of compost.
Lightly press the seeds onto the top of the soil—they need light to germinate.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Celery plants need consistent moisture to avoid hollow stems or black heart, a common fungal disease.
Once the seedlings have grown several small stalks, transplant celery seedlings into well-drained soil in a sunny spot.

Celery thrives in cooler temperatures but requires enough water to prevent drying out. A row cover can help protect young plants from the risk of frost in early spring.

Regrowing Celery from Grocery Store Scraps

One of the easiest ways to grow celery is by using the celery base from a store-bought bunch. This is a good way to get started with gardening without waiting for seeds to sprout.

How to Regrow Celery

Cut the celery base from a bunch of fresh celery, leaving about two inches attached to the roots.
Place the base in a shallow dish of cold water, ensuring only the bottom is submerged.
Set the dish in a cool place with plenty of indirect sunlight.
After a short time, new stalks and celery leaves will begin to grow from the center.
Once roots develop, plant it in moist soil outdoors or in a container.

Caring for Celery Plants

Celery is a heavy feeder that thrives in fertile soil with plenty of water and organic matter.

Watering. Celery requires inches of water per week, especially in warm temperatures. Moist soil is essential for preventing hollow stems and bitterness.
Temperature Needs. As a cool season crop, celery prefers a temperature range of 55-70°F. Warm weather can cause bolting, making the entire plant taste bitter.
Feeding. Apply a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season for the best flavor and tender outer stalks.

Harvesting Celery

The best time to harvest celery depends on how you plan to use it.

For a continuous harvest, cut individual stalks from the outside of the plants while letting the inner stalks continue growing.
To harvest the whole plant, cut it at the base once the stalks reach the desired size.
In early winter, mulch around the plants to extend the growing season in cooler climates.

Growing Celery on the Homestead

Celery has always been one of those crops that challenges us on the homestead, but the reward of homegrown celery makes the effort worthwhile. Unlike store-bought celery, which can sometimes taste bland or carry pesticide residue, our garden-grown celery bursts with fresh flavor and crisp texture.

We’ve found that self-blanching varieties work well in our climate, especially when given plenty of compost and consistent moisture throughout the season. It takes patience. It has a long growing season. We have a shorter growing season.

But once those outer stalks are ready to harvest, there’s nothing quite like snapping off a fresh stalk right from the garden. Whether we’re adding it to soups, stocks, or just snacking on it with a little peanut butter, celery has earned its place in our homestead garden year after year.