How to grow Celery in Australia
Celery is a slow, thirsty crop that rewards care with crisp, sweet stalks far better than shop-bought. It comes from boggy ground, so the golden rule is constant moisture: any dry spell makes it stringy and bitter. Start seed in warmth, plant in rich soil, water every day in warm weather, and you can pick stalks for months.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Celery in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to July | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to July | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to July | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to July | Sow from March to July, starting seed indoors because germination is slow, and transplant the seedlings once they are established. Melbourne's cool season suits celery. |
| Adelaide & SA | August to November | Sow Aug to Nov, transplant 8 weeks later, and keep constantly moist through summer. Seedlings chilled in winter often bolt in spring. |
| Perth & WA | February to May, August and September | Sow trays Feb to May in bright shade for winter and spring sticks, or Aug to Sep for early summer. Keep it constantly moist; sand dries too fast without compost and mulch. |
| Tasmania | September to November | Sow Sep to Nov, transplant Nov to Dec. Cool moist summers grow crisp celery without bitterness. |
| Canberra & ACT | February, September to November | Sow Sep to Nov for the main crop, or Feb under cover. Slow to start; keep well watered through the dry summer. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Celery is cool-season crop; marginal in tropics even with cool months. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Celery is cool-season crop; marginal in tropics even with cool months. |
Where to plant
Grow celery in full sun or part shade in rich soil with plenty of compost and well-rotted manure, which holds moisture. Celery needs a lot of water and must never dry out. Plant in a block rather than a single row, so the plants shelter and support each other.
Young plants are sensitive to cold. Seedlings exposed to cold spells, below about 10°C for long periods, often bolt to flower later instead of making stalks. Rotate beds and do not plant where celery or celeriac grew recently.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and Sydney: sow from March to July for picking through winter and spring.
- Melbourne: sow from March to July, starting seed indoors because germination is slow.
- Adelaide: sow from August to November and transplant about eight weeks later, keeping it constantly moist through summer.
- Perth: sow trays from February to May in bright shade, or in August and September for early summer. Add compost and mulch to sandy soil.
- Hobart and Canberra: sow from September to November and transplant from November to December; Canberra can also sow under cover in February.
- North Queensland and Darwin: marginal; try a dry-season sowing from May to July.
How to plant
- Sow the tiny seed on the surface of seed-raising mix in a punnet and barely cover it. Keep it warm and moist; seedlings can take up to three weeks to appear.
- Prick seedlings out into small pots and grow them on in good light, kept above about 10°C.
- Plant out at about eight weeks old, once nights are mild, about 25 to 30 cm apart in a block.
- Water in well and mulch thickly.
Watering and feeding
Water every day in warm weather, and never let the soil dry out. Water at ground level in the morning, which helps keep leaf diseases down.
Celery is a hungry crop. Feed every two to three weeks with a liquid fertiliser through the long growing season to keep growth steady and stalks tender.
Pruning and care through the year
- For paler, sweeter stalks, blanch them in the last few weeks before harvest: tie the stalks loosely together and wrap each plant in thick paper, cardboard or a milk carton with the bottom cut out, leaving the leaves out at the top.
- Remove any leaves with dry patches or spots.
- Keep the bed weeded; celery competes poorly while young.
Harvesting
Pick outer stalks as you need them once they are a useful size, snapping or cutting them from the base, and the plant keeps producing from the centre for months. Or cut the whole plant at the base when it is fully grown.
Celery keeps for a week or two in the fridge, wrapped. The leaves are good in soups and stocks.
Growing in pots
Celery grows in a pot at least 30 cm wide and deep, but it dries out quickly. Use a rich, moisture-holding potting mix, stand the pot in a saucer in summer, and water daily.
Companion planting
Celery likes the same rich, moist soil as leeks and many summer crops, and its flowers, if a plant bolts, feed helpful insects.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Leaf diseases in humid weather and sap-sucking insects are the main problems. Removing spotted leaves early stops most diseases spreading.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters of small green or grey insects under leaves and in the heart.
- Slugs Holes in young leaves and stalks, with slime trails. Snails do the same.
Diseases to watch for
- Leaf spot Small brown spots with tiny black dots on leaves and stalks, spreading in wet weather. Remove affected leaves and rotate beds.
- Early blight Yellow spots on older leaves that turn grey-brown and spread. Water at the base and remove affected leaves.
Common questions
Why is my celery stringy and bitter?
Usually it ran short of water. Celery needs constantly moist soil and daily watering in warm weather. Heat and a lack of food also toughen the stalks. Blanching the stalks for the last few weeks makes them sweeter.
Why did my celery go to seed early?
Young plants that are chilled, by long spells below about 10°C, often bolt later. Keep seedlings warm and do not plant them out until nights are mild.
How do I blanch celery?
In the last few weeks before harvest, tie the stalks loosely together and wrap the plant in thick paper, cardboard or a milk carton with the bottom cut out, leaving the leaves showing at the top.
How long does celery take to grow?
You can start picking outer stalks about three to four months after sowing, and keep picking for months. A whole plant takes longer to reach full size.
How often should I water celery?
Every day in warm weather, and never let the soil dry out. Water at ground level in the morning.
Can you regrow celery from the base?
A celery base stood in water will sprout new leaves, which can be planted out, but it rarely grows into a full, crisp plant. Growing from seed or seedlings gives far better results.
Sources we checked: RHS: How to grow celery; ABC Organic Gardener: Do the celery crunch; ABC Organic Gardener: From garden to kitchen, celery.