How to Grow Celeriac in Australia
A cool-season root crop for the home garden
Growing Celeriac rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated intermediate to grow. Saves ~$5-8/head. One head provides multiple meals.
This guide covers when to plant Celeriac in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Celeriac is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March, April and May. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Giant Prague
The standard celeriac. Large, relatively smooth roots. Reliable and widely available.
Try: Eden Seeds, Mr Fothergill's, Diggers
Monarch
Modern variety with smoother skin and better disease resistance. Easier to peel.
Try: Mr Fothergill's, Yates
Position and Soil
Give Celeriac full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It can be container-grown in 40cm+ deep, though it is happier in the ground.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 12 and 20 degrees.
Celery root. Ugly, knobby root with clean celery flavour. Long growing season (5-6 months), so sow early autumn. Needs consistent moisture. Much easier to grow than stalk celery in cool climates. Brilliant in Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra gardens.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 6 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Celery fly and Slugs. The main diseases to watch are Leaf spot and Sclerotinia. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Celeriac is typically ready to harvest in about 5 months. Cool dark place for 2-3 months. Fridge for 2 weeks wrapped.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, celeriac is good made into classic celeriac remoulade, roasted in chunks with other root veg, mashed as a low-carb potato alternative and added to soups and gratins. Nutritionally: good source of vitamin K and rich in phosphorus and potassium.
Companion Planting
Celeriac grows well alongside Leek, Beans and Brassicas. Keep it away from Carrot and Parsnip. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Celeriac Growing
Add celeriac to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celeriac in Australia?
Celeriac is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March, April and May. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Celeriac take to grow?
Celeriac is generally ready to harvest in about 5 months.
How much sun does Celeriac need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Celeriac in the Plant Library
