Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

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celeriac

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Other common names

turnip-rooted celery

Synonyms

Apium rapaceum

Annual Biennial Herbs - Culinary

Cultivated variety of celery, grown for its knobbly, swollen edible stem. Celeriac is usually pale white, reaching up to 12cm in diameter. It is very hardy and reliable winter crop. Many cultivars are available, with some that are less prone to premature flowering (bolting). Green, aromatic leaves form a bunch-like rosette above the swelling. If left to flower, umbels of tiny, pale-white flowers are held on upright, ribbed stems

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful to skin with sunlight. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Apium can be annual, biennial or perennial herbaceous plants, with leaves divided into three leaflets, or pinnate; in summer, tiny white flowers are borne in umbels
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, rich soil in full sun. Will grow well in heavy and clay soils. Exposure to cold temperatures in spring may lead to premature flowering. For more advice see celeriac cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails and and celery leaf miner

Diseases

May be susceptible to celery leaf spot