- Botanical name: Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
- Common name: Celeriac
- Family: Apiaceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
Celeriac, Apium graveolens var. rapaceum, is a root crop with a nutty, celery-like flavour. It works well as an alternative to mashed potato and potato chips, roasted, and in stews with beans and other root veg. It can even be grated and added to salads.
Both celeriac and celery were bred from the same wild plant. Celeriac is hardier and more disease resistant than celery, but the flavour and aroma of the plants is similar.
Celeriac is a moisture-loving plant and requires a rich, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. The soil should never be allowed to dry out. As the plants mature, remove the outer leaves to expose the crown and allow it to develop.
Varieties include ‘Prinz’ and ‘Alabastor’, which both have a good flavour and show resistance to bolting. The RHS AGM variety ‘Monarch’ is a smooth-skinned variety, making it easier to peel.
Harvest celeriac from October to March. You can leave the roots in the ground until you need them.
How to grow Apium graveolens
-
Plant size
30cm height
40cm spread
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do Harvest in July |
A
Do Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do not Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Apium graveolens and wildlife
Apium graveolens has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Apium graveolens poisonous?
Apium graveolens has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
