Celery

Celery (Apium graveolens) – 4–5 Inch Pot
Available in Jupiter, FL. at Urban Abundance.

Crisp, refreshing, and surprisingly rewarding to grow—Celery is a cool-season standout that loves South Florida’s fall and winter beds. Known for its crunchy stalks and clean, slightly salty flavor, celery is more than a salad staple—it’s a garden slow-burn with big payoff. Part of the Apiaceae family, celery is a cool-season biennial (grown as an annual) vegetable that performs beautifully from October to March in our region.

Sold in a 4–5 inch pot, these starter plants are best grown in rich soil with steady moisture for the most flavorful, tender stalks.

Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade. 5–7 hours daily encourages strong stalk formation.
Watering Needs: High. Celery needs consistently moist soil—do not let it dry out.
Soil Requirements: Deep, fertile soil high in organic matter. Prefers a pH between 6.0–7.0.
Growth Habit: Upright rosette with ribbed stalks and leafy tops. Grows 12–24 inches tall.
Harvest Timing: Ready 85–100 days after transplanting. Harvest entire plant or individual stalks from the outside in.
Cold Tolerance: Excellent. Performs best in South Florida’s cooler months.
Special Features:

• Needs plenty of water but rewards with crisp, sweet stalks

• Rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants

• Leaves are edible and great in stocks or salads

• Pairs well with herbs like parsley, dill, and chives

South Florida Notes: Celery is a bit of a diva—it demands moisture and fertility but pays off in abundance. It’s best grown in raised beds with compost-rich soil and mulch to retain moisture. Keep an eye out for aphids or leaf miners—neem oil or insecticidal soap will do the trick.

Next steps after purchase:

• Transplant into well-prepared soil in full sun or light shade

• Space 8–10 inches apart in rows

• Water frequently and never allow soil to dry out

• Fertilize with a nitrogen-rich organic blend every 2–3 weeks

• Harvest outer stalks as needed or the whole plant when mature

This is a biennial grown as an annual—meaning it produces its edible stalks in one season and will flower the following year if not harvested.