🥕 Celery
Apium graveolens var. dulce
vegetables stem vegetable
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6 hours); tolerates partial shade, especially in warm climates
💧 Water
Very high; 1.5–2 inches per week; celery is 95% water — NEVER let soil dry out; consistent moisture prevents tough, stringy, bitter stalks; considered one of the most water-demanding vegetables
🗺️ Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
🪴 Soil Type
Very rich, moisture-retentive soil with very high organic matter; celery is a marsh plant in origin and requires exceptional fertility
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
💧 Drainage
Moisture-retentive but not waterlogged; consistent moisture is the single most important factor for tender, non-stringy celery
📏 Spacing
10–12 inches apart in rows 24–30 inches apart; closer spacing promotes self-blanching
📅 Days to Maturity
85-120 days (from transplant); 130-150 days from seed
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Stalks (petioles)"🍽️ "Leaves (celery leaf \u2014 excellent in stocks🍽️ soups🍽️ salads; more flavorful than stalks)"🍽️ "Seeds (celery seed \u2014 spice)"🍽️ "Root (celeriac \u2014 different variety)"]
🤝 Companions (6)
Mutual pest protection — leeks repel celery pests; celery may deter leek moth; they share similar moisture needs ('dynamic duo' in French intensive gardening)
🤝 Cabbage/Brassicas
Celery repels cabbage white butterfly with its strong scent; cabbage provides some shade for celery
Celery may repel tomato hornworm and some tomato pests; tomatoes provide light shade
Trap crop for aphids; repels celery pests
🤝 Chamomile
Improves celery growth and flavor; antifungal
Beans fix nitrogen benefiting celery; celery repels some bean pests
⚠️ Keep Apart (4)
⚠️ Corn
Mutual antagonism reported — both may stunt each other's growth
Same family (Apiaceae) — shared pests and diseases (celery fly, carrot rust fly)
Allelopathic
Mutual growth inhibition — sweet corn and celery stunt each other's development when planted in close proximity.
💊 Medicinal Uses
["Contains apigenin \u2014 flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer properties", "Traditional use for lowering blood pressure (contains phthalides)", "Celery seed: traditional diuretic, used for gout and arthritis (anti-inflammatory)", "High in vitamin K, vitamin A, and potassium; very low calorie"]
📝 Notes
Celery is notoriously difficult to grow — it's a heavy feeder with high water demands and a long season (100–140 days). Originated as a marsh plant; 'trench celery' is traditionally grown in trenches filled with compost for constant moisture. Self-blanching varieties need closer spacing. Celery is day-length sensitive — can bolt if exposed to cold temperatures for extended periods. Start indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost.