Celery (Apium graveolens)

Image: AI generated

Celery Plant Care

Apium graveolens L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's deeply lobed, dark green leaves give it a unique appearance in any garden. Hailing from the Mediterranean region, it thrives in warm climates with moist soil. Plant collectors are drawn to Apium graveolens for its culinary uses, as well as its ability to attract beneficial insects to the garden.

🌱Herbs🥦Vegetables
Water

Every 3–7 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Celery?

Water Celery every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–70% humidity.

Where Is the Celery Native To?

Native range95 countries

What Is the Celery?

Celery (Apium graveolens) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Apium genus. Celery is native to Temperate Mediterranean climates in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Celery is also known as Common Celery, Root celery, Smallage.

Celery displays a biennial, herbaceous growth habit, reaching up to 18 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Celery produces small white or yellow clustered flowers in umbels.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Celery?

Apium graveolens requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 3–7 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Celery Need?

Celery thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Celery Prefer?

Apium graveolens grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Celery prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Celery?

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Celery to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Do You Repot a Celery?

Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Celery?

Celery can be propagated through seeds or stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to celery plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Celery Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Celery, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Celery?

Celery is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf miners. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Celery Need?

Celery grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Celery is native to Temperate Mediterranean climates in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a – 13b

Keep exploring plants

Celery is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Apium genus — compare its care with other Apium species on PlantoScan.

Apium is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.

Celery thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Apium Species

Other Apium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Apium graveolens L., family Apiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 264 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Celery, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 13b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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