How to grow Sea Celery in Australia
Sea celery (Apium prostratum) is a native coastal herb that grows wild among rocks, dunes and coastal scrub along much of the eastern, southern and south-western coast. Its glossy, divided leaves taste of celery and parsley with a salty edge, and it is an easy, low-care herb for gardens and pots, including salty, sandy coastal ones.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Sea Celery in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to September | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | |
| Perth & WA | March to September | |
| Tasmania | March and April, September to November | Hardy coastal native found on Tasmanian shores. Sow Sep to Nov or Mar to Apr. |
| Canberra & ACT | September to March | Sow Sep to Mar in a moist spot. A coastal native, so give it a sheltered bed and cover in hard frost. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. A southern coastal herb that bolts and rots in the wet, so grow it like celery. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. A southern coastal herb that bolts and rots in the wet, so grow it like celery. |
Not to be confused with: Celery, its close cultivated relative, which has thick, upright leaf stalks. Sea celery is used for its leaves and thin stems, more like parsley.
Where to plant
In the wild, sea celery grows in open, sunny spots among coastal rocks, dunes and scrub, and in salty soils near coastal creeks. In the garden it is adaptable: it grows in sandy, loamy or clay loam soils, tolerates salt and poor soil, and takes light frost. It grows best with some shade and steady moisture, and in full sun it needs more water to stay lush.
It can grow as a compact, parsley-like clump or a sprawling, cascading groundcover, which looks good spilling over banks, walls and pot edges.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth: sow or plant from March to September. In the hotter months, give it afternoon shade and regular water.
- Hobart: sow from September to November or in March and April.
- Canberra: sow from September to March in a moist, sheltered bed, and cover it in hard frost.
- North Queensland and Darwin: grow it in the dry season, from May to July, as it tends to bolt and rot in the wet.
How to plant
- Sow fresh seed thinly on the surface of seed-raising mix or directly in the bed, and just cover it.
- Keep the mix moist. Germination is slow, usually three to four weeks.
- Plant seedlings or nursery plants about 30 cm apart, or three to a large pot.
- Water in and keep the soil moist while they establish.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly so the soil does not dry out, especially in full sun and in summer. Dry soil and heat make it flower and set seed sooner, and the leaves get tough.
A light liquid feed every few weeks while it is growing keeps the leaves lush and tender, but sea celery copes with poor soil and needs little.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pick regularly to keep the plant bushy and producing tender new growth.
- Sea celery is an annual or short-lived perennial that flowers in late spring and sets seed in summer. Leave a few flower heads to self-sow if you want it to keep going in the garden.
- A plant with a strong root system can be cut back after seeding and may regrow for a second year.
Harvesting
Pick young leaves and stems once the clump is growing strongly, from about three months after sowing. Cut outer stems at the base and new growth comes from the centre.
The flavour is strong and salty, so use it more sparingly than parsley. Leaves keep about a week in the fridge in a damp cloth, and dried leaves keep for months.
Growing in pots
Sea celery grows well in pots, troughs and hanging baskets in a free-draining, sandy mix. A large pot with up to three plants gives a steady supply of leaves. Water pots often, as they dry out quickly.
Using it
Use sea celery as you would parsley or celery leaves: in salads, sauces, soups, stocks, stews, quiches and stuffing. It goes especially well with seafood. It can be eaten raw as a fresh, salty green or cooked.
Saving seed
Sea celery flowers in late spring with small white umbels and sets seed by mid to late summer. Collect the seed heads as they dry and sow the seed fresh, as it germinates best then. It self-sows readily in the garden.
Varieties
- Sea Celery
Companion planting
Sea celery suits a coastal or native edible garden with other salt-tolerant plants.
Good companions
- Pigface Another coastal native for sandy, salty soil, and a fellow bush food.
- Samphire A salty coastal succulent that likes similar seaside conditions.
Pests and diseases
Sea celery is rarely troubled by pests or disease. Rot in wet, humid weather and bolting in heat are the main problems.
Sea Celery is rarely troubled by pests or disease.
Common questions
Is sea celery edible?
Yes. The leaves and thin stems are eaten raw or cooked and taste of celery and parsley with a salty edge. Use them in salads, sauces, soups and with seafood.
Where does sea celery grow?
It grows wild on much of Australia's eastern, southern and south-western coastline, among rocks, dunes and coastal scrub. In gardens it grows in most areas, in sun or part shade.
Does sea celery need full sun?
It grows in full sun or part shade. Some shade and steady moisture give the most tender leaves; in full sun it needs more watering.
How do you grow sea celery from seed?
Sow fresh seed thinly on the surface of moist seed-raising mix and barely cover it. It takes about three to four weeks to come up. Plants also self-sow readily.
Is sea celery perennial?
It is usually an annual or biennial. It flowers in late spring and seeds in summer, and strong plants can regrow for a second year. Leaving some seed heads keeps it going in the garden.
Can I grow sea celery in a pot?
Yes. It does well in pots and hanging baskets with a sandy, free-draining mix and regular water.
Sources we checked: Sustainable Gardening Australia: Sea celery, an indigenous edible plant; Gardening with Angus: Apium prostratum, sea celery.