Celeriac is also known as celery root. Celeriac is grown for its large, swollen root that looks something like a turnip. A celeriac root grows in the ground like a turnip root does. It is in the celery family and grows in a similar way. From the root, a rosette of dark green leaves sprouts atop hollow stems.
Celeriac is best started indoors and later transplanted into the garden. Celeriac is best when it comes to harvest in cool weather. Like celery seedlings, celeriac seedlings will likely bolt if they are left out in the 30s and 40sF for more than a week or two. Set seedlings in the garden after the last frost.
Sow celeriac seed indoors as early as 8 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Celeriac requires 90 to 120 days to reach harvest.
Celery root, also known as celeriac, is a delicious and underutilized vegetable that deserves a spot in every vegetable garden. Though not as widely grown as its relative celery, celeriac is easier to cultivate and offers a bounty of knobby, celery-flavored roots perfect for soups, stews, and roasted veggie sides. Read on for a complete guide to growing your own celery root, from planting to harvest.
Celeriac scientifically known as Apium graveolens var. rapaceum is a type of celery grown specifically for its edible root rather than its stalks. Sometimes called turnip-rooted celery or knob celery, it originated from a wild ancestor native to the Mediterranean.
The plant forms a rosette of dark green, celery-flavored leaves. But the main event is the swollen, bulbous taproot that develops just below ground level. This root tastes like a cross between celery and parsley with mild nutty undertones.
Celeriac requires cool temperatures and moist soil. It can be grown as an annual in most regions performing best as a fall crop. With its long storage life, celeriac provides a tasty supply of winter produce.
When and Where to Plant Celeriac
Celeriac grows best in cool conditions with moderate humidity. It performs optimally as a fall crop in most regions maturing during cool autumn weather.
Planting times:
-
Spring planting – Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Transplant outdoors after hardening off once all danger of frost has passed.
-
Late summer planting – Sow seeds directly in the garden 90-120 days before your first expected autumn frost.
Ideal planting locations:
-
Full sun to partial shade – Celeriac needs at least 6 hours of direct sun but afternoon shade is beneficial in hotter zones.
-
Moist, fertile soil – Enrich soil with aged compost or manure; avoid dry, sandy sites.
-
Cool temperatures – Performs best with consistent temperatures in the 60-70°F range.
Companion plants: Lettuce, beans, onions, spinach, bush beans
Avoid planting near: Carrots, parsnips, fennel, potatoes
How to Plant Celery Root from Seed
Celeriac grown from seeds takes 100-120 days to reach maturity. Because it’s sensitive to transplanting, it’s best started indoors:
-
Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in flats or pots, 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost.
-
Keep soil evenly moist and seedlings around 60-70°F until sprouted.
-
Thin or transplant to larger pots once seedlings are 2-3 inches tall.
-
Harden off plants for 7-10 days before transplanting into garden after final spring frost.
-
Transplant 12-18 inches apart in rows spaced 24-30 inches apart.
-
Alternatively, plant in fall 90-120 days before your first expected light autumn frost.
Growing and Caring for Celery Root
Proper care while growing is key to success with celeriac:
-
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially as roots swell. Drought causes tough, poor quality roots.
-
Weeding: Keep beds weed free to prevent competition for water and nutrients. Mulch also helps.
-
Feeding: Side dress with compost tea or soluble organic fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Celeriac is a heavy feeder.
-
Blanching: Hill up soil or mulch around swelling roots, leaving tops exposed, to blanch them for tenderness.
-
Pests & disease: Celeriac has few serious issues. Cercospora early blight and aphids can sometimes occur.
Harvesting and Storing Celery Root
-
Harvest celeriac when roots reach 3-5 inches diameter. Time from seed to harvest is 100-120 days.
-
Use a garden fork to carefully lift roots. Cut tops 1 inch above the knobby root.
-
Pull off small side roots and remove excess soil. Rinse if needed but don’t soak.
-
Store unwashed roots in perforated bags in the refrigerator for 2-4 months. Ideal storage conditions are 32-40°F with 90-95% humidity.
-
Alternatively, store in moist sand, sawdust, or moss in a cold cellar, root cellar, or unheated basement. Check regularly for rot.
How to Use Celery Root in Cooking and Baking
Celeriac deserves a place on the dinner table. It can be enjoyed raw or cooked:
-
Peel, then shred or grate raw celeriac for salads and slaws. Soak in acidulated water to prevent oxidation.
-
Dice, cube, or mash cooked celeriac as a side dish or to add to soups and casseroles.
-
Slice thin and roast at 400°F until tender and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
-
Puree cooked celeriac with broth for a creamy root vegetable soup.
-
Bake fries by cutting into sticks, tossing with oil, and roasting at 450°F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Selecting the Best Celery Root Varieties
Recommended celeriac varieties include:
-
Giant Prague – Large roots, 120 days to maturity. Most common variety.
-
Brilliant – Fast growing roots with excellent flavor, matures in 100 days.
-
Prinz – High yields of smooth, white roots. Matures in 120 days.
-
Diamant – Czech variety resistant to root celery fly. 100 days to maturity.
-
Monarch – British RHS Award of Garden Merit winner; flavorful roots.
Beginners may want to try Giant Prague or Brilliant for their vigorous growth and great flavor.
Troubleshooting Common Celery Root Growing Problems
Celeriac is relatively trouble-free but may encounter these potential issues:
-
Bolting – Early seed stalk formation caused by exposure to temperatures below 45°F for 10+ days while young.
-
Poor germination – Soak or pre-sprout seeds before planting indoors. Ensure consistent moisture.
-
Leggy plants – Increase sunlight exposure and avoid overcrowding.
-
Pithy roots – Prevent hollowness by maintaining even soil moisture and temperatures.
-
Root rot – Allow soil to dry between waterings and improve drainage if fungal rot occurs.
Enjoy Growing Your Own Celery Root
Now that you know the ins and outs of planting, caring for, harvesting, storing, and cooking this underrated vegetable, why not try adding celery root to your garden? With its long storage life and versatile culinary uses, homegrown celeriac is sure to be a hit with your tastebuds as well as your eyes after seeing its odd, knuckly form poking up from the soil.
Celeriac planting and spacing
Sow celeriac seed ⅛ inch deep. Place a seed cloth or burlap over the seeding area to keep the soil moist until plants sprout.
Celeriac seed can be slow to germinate. Put seeds in a plastic bag with wet paper towels and leave them at room temperature for a few days until they sprout. Then, move the seeds to a flat with wet seed mix. Grow the seedlings at room temperature.
When plants are 3 to 4 inches (7. 6 to 10 cm) tall, space them 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) apart or plant them in the garden that way.
Space rows 24 to 30 inches (61-76cm) apart. Celeriac is often set into the garden in 3- to 4-inch (7. 6-10cm) deep trenches, similar to celery. As the plants grow, soil can be mounded around the exposed root.
Grow celeriac with lettuce, spinach, and garden peas. Do not plant celeriac with pumpkins, cucumbers, or squash.
Celeriac can be grown in a container, but not well. Choose an 8-inch (20cm) container for a single plant.
Lack of soil moisture will cause celeriac to stop growing.
Where to plant celeriac
Celeriac grows best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. Plant celeriac in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Add aged compost to planting beds before plants and again at midseason. Celeriac needs a lot of food, so side dress plants with compost tea every two to three weeks while they are growing.
Celeriac grows best in cool weather, especially when nights are cool. When it’s cold outside, plant celeriac in the spring. When it’s warm outside, plant it in late summer so that it can mature when it’s cool. Celeriac is slow to germinate and is best grown from transplants. Sow seed indoors as early as 10 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Plants can go into the garden on the average date of the last frost. Celeriac requires up to 120 days to reach harvest. You can plant a late-summer crop right in the garden, and you’ll have time for a second harvest.
Finally Successful Growing Celeriac
FAQ
How do you grow celery root at home?
How long does it take for celery root to grow?
Is celeriac difficult to grow?
How long does celeriac take to grow?
Can you grow celeriac from seed?
Chances are your local purveyor of vegetable transplants won’t be carrying celeriac, so if you want to grow this European favorite, you’ll have to start it from seed. It requires a long growing season (120 days) and can take two to three weeks to germinate.
How do you grow celery?
To grow well, celery has three critical needs: Cool weather; celery won’t tolerate high temperatures. Constant water; stalks will be small, stringy, tough, and/or hollow if it goes without water. Soil that’s rich in organic matter and—because its roots are shallow (just a few inches deep)—fertilizer applied on top of the soil.
How do you care for celery & celeriac?
Celeriac is a moisture-loving plant and requires a rich, moisture-retentive soil. Don’t let the soil dry out. As the plants mature, remove the outer leaves to expose the crown of the root and allow it to develop. Here, Monty describes how to look after celery and celeriac, and how to encourage large celeriac roots, ahead of harvesting:
How do you grow a celeriac plant?
In southern zones 9 and warmer, celeriac can be grown from fall seeding through the winter. Prepare cell trays with a well-drained seed starting mix. Sow two seeds per cell at a depth of about 1⁄8 inch and very lightly cover with soil mix or vermiculite. Light is needed for germination, so you don’t want to bury them too deep.