Celery

Apium graveolens var. dulce · Vegetable

Quick answer: Water: Every 1–2 days in summer, keep evenly moist (estimated); 1–2 in per week, never let the soil dry out. Light: Full sun to light afternoon shade, 6+ hours. Soil: Rich, moisture-holding, pH 6.0–7.0. Pets: The ASPCA plant list has no separate entry for Celery, and it is not generally known as toxic to cats and dogs. Eating a lot of any plant can still upset the stomach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

A slow, thirsty crop that rewards patience with crisp, aromatic stalks. It needs a long cool season and steady moisture; dry spells make the stalks stringy and bitter. Container growing works if you never let the pot dry out.

💧WaterEvery 1–2 days in summer, keep evenly moist (estimated)

☀️LightFull sun, 6+ hours

🐾PetsNo known toxicity

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun to light afternoon shade, 6+ hours
Water: 1–2 in per week, never let the soil dry out
Soil: Rich, moisture-holding, pH 6.0–7.0
Temperature: Best 55–65 °F; long cold spells below 50 °F can trigger bolting (estimated)
Spacing: 6–12 in in the row, 24 in between rows
Container: At least 3 gallons, 10 in deep
Harvest: 80–120 days after transplanting, by variety
Lifespan: Biennial, grown as an annual

When?

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before your last frost; they are slow to sprout. Plant out when nights stay above 50 °F, since cold snaps on young plants can trigger early flowering. In hot-summer regions a late-summer planting for autumn harvest often works better (estimated).

Step by step

Soak seeds overnight, then press them onto the surface of moist mix; they need light to sprout and take 2–3 weeks.
Keep seedlings at 65–75 °F and thin to the strongest plant per cell.
Harden off gradually for 7–10 days before planting out.
Set plants at the same depth they grew in the pot, in soil enriched with compost.
Mulch with 2–3 in of straw or compost to keep the root zone cool and moist.
Feed every 3–4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer; celery is a heavy feeder.
Cut outer stalks as needed, or harvest the whole plant at the base once stalks are full-sized.

Common problems

Stringy, bitter stalksCaused by drought or heat stress; water deeply and evenly, mulch well.

Hollow or cracked stalksCracking often follows nitrogen given after stalks have formed, or uneven watering; feed earlier and keep moisture steady.

Seed stalk forms earlyPlants were chilled when young; transplant only after nights warm up.

Brown spots on leavesUsually fungal leaf spot; remove affected leaves and water at the base.

Dark, dying heart leavesBlack heart, a calcium problem made worse by water stress; water evenly and avoid letting the soil dry out.

Pets

The ASPCA plant list has no separate entry for Celery, and it is not generally known as toxic to cats and dogs. Eating a lot of any plant can still upset the stomach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Similar plants

Leek Carrot Parsley

Sources

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.