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How to Grow Celery

Reviewed by MyLocalPlanting Editorial Team Updated Sources
Celery (Apium graveolens)

Get Your Exact Celery Planting Dates

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Ready to grow Celery?

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🛒 Amazon 🌿 True Leaf

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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌿 Plant Overview

Scientific Name Apium graveolens
Category vegetable
Days to Maturity 130 days
Starting Method Start Indoors

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

🌱

Germination

8-28 days

Ready to Grow Celery?

Find quality seeds from trusted suppliers.

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult
✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Celery is biennial — it seeds in year 2. Harvest umbels just before seeds shatter in summer.

Processing

Cut seed heads into bags, dry 2 weeks, thresh to release seeds.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

In cold climates, dig celery in fall, store roots in a root cellar, and replant in spring for year-2 flowering.

Seed Storage Supplies

✉️ Seed Envelopes 🗂️ Mylar Storage Bags 🧊 Silica Gel Packets 📋 Seed Organizer

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Celery Planting Calendar by Zone

Zone 1a Zone 1b Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b Zone 10a Zone 10b Zone 11a Zone 11b Zone 12a Zone 12b Zone 13a

Celery Planting Calendar by State

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery? +

Start Celery seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors 2 weeks after the last frost. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your ZIP code or city.

How long does Celery take to grow? +

Celery typically matures in about 130 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.

Should I start Celery indoors or direct sow? +

Celery should be started indoors 10 weeks before the last frost date. This gives seedlings time to establish before being transplanted outside after frost danger has passed.

How much sun does Celery need? +

Celery requires full sun to thrive.

How much water does Celery need? +

Celery has regular water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.

Can you save seeds from Celery? +

Yes — seed saving difficulty for Celery is rated difficult. Celery is biennial — it seeds in year 2. Harvest umbels just before seeds shatter in summer. Cut seed heads into bags, dry 2 weeks, thresh to release seeds.

How long do Celery seeds last in storage? +

Properly dried and stored Celery seeds remain viable for up to 3 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.

Are Celery seeds open-pollinated? +

Yes — Celery is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.

About Celery

Celery can be a tough vegetable grow. It can take up to 5 months to harvest and does not like hot climates.

Expect your Celery to be ready for harvest in approximately 130 days from planting.

Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.