Botanical profile

Cutting celery

Latin name
Apium graveolens var. secalinum
Common name
Celery for cutting
Type
Annual or biennial culinary herb
Family
Apiaceae

Cutting celery is an aromatic vegetable plant highly valued for its fragrant foliage, which evokes the fresh, slightly peppery taste of traditional celery. Unlike stalk celery, it is primarily grown for its leaves and slender young stems, which are easy to harvest as needed. It integrates perfectly into vegetable gardens, herb boxes, edible planters, and containers near the kitchen, where it allows for quick flavor addition to soups, broths, sauces, salads, stews, and homemade recipes.

Easy to grow, cutting celery prefers a sunny to lightly semi-shaded location, in rich, cool, fertile, and well-drained soil. It appreciates regular watering, as overly dry soil can make the foliage tougher and stronger in taste. Pot cultivation is very practical, especially when placed within reach for frequent harvesting. By cutting only the necessary leaves, the plant continues to produce new aromatic shoots for a good part of the season.

Very useful in the kitchen, cutting celery is ideal for gardeners who want to enjoy the taste of celery without growing large stalks. Its decorative foliage also adds texture to gourmet vegetable gardens and herb arrangements. Productive, fragrant, and versatile, it is an excellent choice to enrich an edible garden with an easy-to-harvest, flavorful plant perfect for everyday cooking.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Aromatic, edible foliage with a celery flavor, ideal for fresh cooking
Vegetable garden, herbs, balcony, container, edible garden
Container growing
Excellent pot culture in a deep, well-drained container
Seasonal care
Harvest leaves as needed by cutting outer stems; water regularly to avoid water stress
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Sun to partial shade
Watering
Regular; keep the soil consistently moist without waterlogging
Humidity
Average to high humidity; prefers cool soil
Fertilization
Compost at sowing; light and regular fertilization in poor soil
Soil type
Fertile soil, rich in organic matter, cool and well-drained
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
32 °F
Propagation method
Sowing
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer
Flower color
Greenish white
Fruiting
Aromatic seeds at the end of the season
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Bushy, upright habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Width
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches)
Growth rate
Average growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Cabbage, leeks, tomatoes, lettuce
Plants to avoid
Carrots, parsnips
Spacing
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to autumn
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.