Common Name: Celery

General Information

Apium graveolens dulce is a cultivated form of the wild celery that has been selected especially for its swollen, succulent leaf stems. It can grow up to 1 metre tall, though is usually smaller.
Celery is a commonly cultivated vegetable, widely grown in the temperate zone and at higher elevations in the tropics. It is often used in salads and in soups, stews etc.

Known Hazards

If the plant is infected with the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

Range

A cultivated form of garden origin

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Biennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the temperate zone, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 25°c, but can tolerate 4 - 28°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 1,300mm, but tolerates 300 - 2,800mm[]. Plants grow best in a climate with a mean temperature in the range 16 - 21°c, leaf growth is poor at higher temperatures whilst low temperatures can induce the plant to run to seed prematurely. Celery normally requires a cold period of at least one month with a temperature below 16°c before flower initiation occurs, but a few days at 4 - 10°c will often cause 75% of plants to bolt[].
Prefers a rich light moist soil with some shade in summer[, , , ]. Prefers a sunny position and a pH between 6.6 and 6.8[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.8 - 6.8, tolerating 4.5 - 8.3[].
Celery is commonly cultivated in many regions of the world, mainly for its edible leaf stalks. There are many named varieties and these can supply fresh stalks from late summer to spring[, ].
There are two basic types of celery. Those grown for summer and autumn harvesting are called 'self-blanching' - the stems do not need to be blanched in order to be eaten, though they are usually grown quite closely together which tends to exclude quite a bit of light. Those cultivars harvested in the winter and spring tend to have bitter-tasting stems unless these are blanched by excluding light.
Expected yields of plants are 38 - 63 tonnes per hectare[].

Edible Uses

Leaf stems - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A fairly common salad ingredient, celery stems are also used to make soups, stews etc. The winter varieties can be bitter if they are not blanched by excluding light from the stems for at least a few weeks prior to harvesting. Many people find the raw stalks are somewhat indigestible[].

Leaves - raw or cooked. They are often used as a flavouring in soups etc[, , ]. They can also be eaten raw but have a very strong flavour and are probably best as a minor ingredient in a mixed salad.

Seed - a pungent flavour, they are used as a flavouring for sauces, soups, pickles etc[, ]. An essential oil from the seed is also used as a flavouring[].

Root - cooked. There is not much of it but it can be cut up and added to soups[].

Medicinal

Although not as medicinally active as wild celery, the cultivated forms of celery also have the same medicinal properties and, when used as an item of the diet, will have a similar effect upon the body. These medicinal uses are as follows:-

Wild celery has a long history of medicinal and food use. it is an aromatic bitter tonic herb that reduces blood pressure, relieves indigestion, stimulates the uterus and is anti-inflammatory[].

The ripe seeds, herb and root are aperient, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, nervine, stimulant and tonic[, , , ]. Wild celery is said to be useful in cases of hysteria, promoting restfulness and sleep and diffusing through the system a mild sustaining influence[].
The herb should not be prescribed for pregnant women[].
Seeds purchased for cultivation purposes are often dressed with a fungicide, they should not be used for medicinal purposes[].

The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[].
The whole plant is harvested when fruiting and is usually liquidized to extract the juice[].
The seeds are harvested as they ripen and are dried for later use[].

An essential oil obtained from the plant has a calming effect on the central nervous system. Some of its constituents have antispasmodic, sedative and anticonvulsant actions. It has been shown to be of value in treating high blood pressure[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the herb[]. It is used in treating rheumatism and kidney complaints[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Celery is a good companion for leeks, tomatoes, French beans and brassicas[, ].

Other Uses

The growing plant is an insect repellent, it repels the cabbage white butterfly so is a good companion for brassicas[].

Propagation

Seed - germination can be erratic and the seed is best surface sow late winter in a greenhouse. The maincrop can be sown as late as mid spring. Outdoor sown seed rarely germinates satisfactorily[]. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c. Plant out in late spring. The seed can harbour certain diseases of celery, it is usually treated by seed companies before being sold but if you save your own seed you should make sure that only seed from healthy plants is used[].