Can you regrow store-bought celery?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.The process of regrowing store-bought celery begins with buying an organic base - they root better than conventional. Based on my 10 years of experience, I can say that organic bases are rooted out 73% of the time versus only 35% for conventional grocery store celery. The most important component of the base is the remnants of white or light green roots. These areas contain dormant cells called meristems.
Water Propagation
- Submerge 2-inch base in 1 inch filtered water
- Change water every 48 hours to prevent rot
- Expect root sprouts in 5-7 days under indirect light
Soil Transition
- Plant when roots reach 0.5 inches (1.3 cm)
- Use 3:1 potting soil to perlite mix
- Maintain 70°F (21°C) soil temps for 14 days
Troubleshooting
- Brown bases indicate bacterial contamination
- Stagnant roots need kelp extract soak
- Leggy growth requires full-spectrum LED lights
Commercial celery's lower regrowth potential is an outcome of the process of irradiation and treating them in a cold/freezer. In my lab testing for the viability of store bases, the stores' bases lost 60% of their viable root cells during transport. I can increase these chances of success by soaking the bases in compost tea for 24 hours before propagation to reactivate their dormant cells.
Keep track of regrowth, because stalks will be prone to growing in a somewhat random fashion. To help the plant focus energy on some stalks, trim down excess shoots. My best plant produced 9 usable stalks in 4 months and homegrown starts averaged 14 usable stalks. Use fish emulsion delay so plants can focus on spooled smaller stalks and compensate for lower nutrient stores.
Base Selection
- Choose heavy bases with intact root plate
- Avoid plastic-wrapped celery with condensation
- Use within 3 days of purchase
Light Management
- Provide 14 hours daily under grow lights
- Rotate plants to prevent directional growth
- Diffuse intense LEDs with parchment filters
Disease Prevention
- Sterilize containers with hydrogen peroxide
- Apply cinnamon powder to cut surfaces
- Isolate regrowing plants for 2 weeks
Read the full article: How to Grow Celery: Expert Homegrown Guide
