🌿 Celeriac: Growing Guide
Celeriac (Apium graveolens rapaceum) grows best in partial shade with moderate watering, and does well at 2–22 °C (36–72 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart. Expect 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).

Quick facts
| Scientific name | Apium graveolens rapaceum |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Partial shade |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 2–22 °C (36–72 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Continental | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan · Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Mar–Apr.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb · Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Apr–May.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 6 days in winter. Needs plenty of water.
Growing tips
Root celery. Boiled, or grated raw. Soups. Monarch and Alabaster.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Celeriac: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Celeriac: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 6 days in winter. Needs plenty of water.
Celeriac: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 30 cm (12 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Celeriac: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Celeriac: which plants grow well with it?
Leek, Tomato.
Celeriac: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Celery fly.
Plan your garden
Add Celeriac to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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