How to Grow Celery

Updated June 2026

A cool-season leafy green for the home garden.

What it looks like as it grows

Celery is a rewarding cool-season crop for backyard growers.

🌱 Plant profile: Celery, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to plant

Celery is a cool-season crop. In the South and Southwest, plant in fall through winter when the heat eases. See your region on the celery page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Tall Utah 52-70, Standard green celery (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
• Tango, Faster, more tender stalks (Johnny's Selected Seeds)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: part sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 10 in between plants.
• Sowing: barely cover the seed.
• Water: roughly 2.1 gal per plant every day in hot weather.
• Containers: grows well in a pot of 12 in+.

Pests & problems

Watch for Aphids. In humid regions, Leaf spot and Early blight can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Celery is usually ready to harvest in about 4 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant celery where you garden.

See also: Celery in the plant library →

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