Apium

( AY - pee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes flowering herbaceous plants with green, divided foliage and white flowers. Members can be annual, perennial, or biennial, and include the widely cultivated crops Celery and Celeriac. Species are native to Europe, Western Asia, north Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Plants typically reach just over three feet tall when in bloom. Use Apium plants in the vegetable garden or in mixed beds and borders. They are also wonderful pollinator plants if allowed to flower.

Apium Species and Varietals

The genus Apium is the type genus member of the Carrot plant family Apiaceae, and includes twelve species. These plants can be grown in any zone; to find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Apium graveolens (Wild Celery, Smallage, Celery)
This species is the most widely cultivated in the genus Apium, and has widely naturalized outside of its native range. Modern cultivars have been developed and selected for their edible leafstalks (Celery), their bulbs (Celeriac) and their leaves (Leaf Celery). Plants typically reach around three feet tall when mature and in bloom. Foliage is green.

'Dulce Group'
Known as Celery, these plants produce great above-ground stalks that are crispy and crunchy. Great garden cultivars include 'Tango Hybrid', 'Tall Utah', and 'Giant Red' (with red-tinged stalks).

var. rapaceum
This group of Apium produces underground bulbs that are used in salads,eaten raw, or cooked as a substitute for potatoes.

'Secalinum Group'
Commonly called Leaf Celery, this group produces tender foliage to be used in the same way as spinach.

Apium prostratum (Sea Celery, Tutae Koau, Sea Parsley, Prostrate Marshwort)
This species, native to Australia and New Zealand, typically grows in coastal dunes, headlands, and swamps. It was historically eaten by colonists as well as the native Maori population. Both leaves and stems are consumed, and leaves are also dried and added to seasoning mixes. It is commercially grown to a limited extent.

Caring for Apium

Apium plants are most commonly grown from seed, though some nurseries do carry starts from time to time. Plant seeds indoors about three months before the last spring frost of the area after soaking them in warm water overnight. They can then be transplanted out into the garden, placed about 12 inches apart for best airflow. Alternatively, seeds can be direct-sown into the garden soil. Ideal temperatures for germinating and growing Celery plants are between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants require full sun for best performance; try to plant Apium in a spot in the garden that receives between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day. If local soils are particularly poor or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic material or compost before sowing seeds or transplanting starts. Apium plants grow best in soil that has a pH of between 5.8 and 6.8, but can tolerate levels between 4.2 and 8.3. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly to ensure that the soil stays consistently moist during the growing season; when soil dries out, plants tend to become tough and stringy (unpalatable). As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.

Prune at any time during the growing season to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage. Towards the end of the growing season when temperatures rise, these plants will bolt. At this point, leaves are not as palatable and plants can either be allowed to come to seed or be pulled and composted. If you will be harvesting seeds for culinary or propagation purposes, make sure to leave some flowering heads on plants to allow them to set seed. To harvest seeds but discourage free re-seeding in the garden, place a mesh baggie over the flower inflorescence when flowers fade to catch seeds as they are naturally released over time. Apium plants can be annual, biennial, or perennial depending on the species grown and the growing conditions. Annual and biennial plants can be pulled after they flower, and perennial species can be left in the ground for a few years before needing to be replaced.

Harvesting Apium
Growing Celery at home will ensure that you always have a crop that has strong, full flavor and juicy crunchiness. Harvest stalks of Celery when lower stalks are at least six inches long. Some types can reach up to 18 inches tall, so make sure to check the information for the specific cultivar you are dealing with before attempting to harvest. Individual stalks can be harvested by cutting them at the crown of the plant with a knife or shears. Celery stalks can be consumed fresh or cooked. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in the crisper drawer. Alternatively, they can also be frozen for between 2 months and a year (if blanched first). Celeriac is typically harvested in the fall (between 100 and 120 days after planting), when the roots reach a diameter of between 3 and 5 inches. Roots that are larger than this range tend to be woody and unpalatable. Harvest by lifting the entire plant out of the ground and cutting off most of the above-ground parts. Wash the root and store it in the vegetable crisper drawer in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The root can be sliced up or shredded, added to soups, stews, and salads, or boiled and mashed, served like mashed potatoes.

Apium seeds are also consumed, used as a spice to add flavor to a variety of dishes. They are typically used whole, as they develop a bitter flavor when they are ground. These seeds taste earthy, similar to Celery. Harvest seeds in summertime, after flowering heads have dried out and turned brown. These plants will freely release their seeds when they are mature. A mesh baggie tied over the seed head can assist in catching seeds as they are released. Once seeds are collected, they can be stored whole in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry cupboard for upwards of 3-4 years. They will, however, gradually lose their flavor and aroma after the first year.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Apium plants are best propagated by seed. To propagate your Celery, Celeriac, or Leaf Celery plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Apium by Seed

To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting soil on hand, you can make some. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Seeds are borne on the inflorescences that remain on the plant once flowers have faded. Typically, when flowers and subsequent seed heads appear, this means that the plant will not be producing as many leaves that can be used for flavoring dishes. Many backyard gardeners will dedicate one of their Celery plants to flowering in order to both harvest the most foliage possible and harvest flowers and seeds. Seeds can be stored after harvesting in an airtight container stored in a cool, dry, dark place. They will remain viable for between 3 and 5 years if stored properly, though fresh seeds will always produce the best results.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with a spray bottle to avoid dislodging the small seeds. Place the tray in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 14-21 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Alternatively, Apium seeds can be direct-sown in the garden once soil temperatures consistently remain above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow seeds about 6-12 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart, or broadcast seeds and thin to these parameters. Tighter spacing is sometimes used to force taller stalks of Celery, but adequate spacing should be used for Celeriac and Leaf Celery. Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the soil surface and cover with a light dusting of compost and/or more soil. Water gently to avoid dislodging seeds. In about three weeks, most seeds should have sprouted into seedlings and can be thinned.