Does celery grow back after cutting?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Regrowing celery from leftover stalks turns leftovers into new plants for your kitchen! I learned to regrow celery when I accidentally threw the base of a celery stalk (a disc-shaped piece), I later found, had roots when I took it out of my compost. Regrowing celery from scraps works better with celery that is labeled organic because conventional celery is often processed in ways that may not allow the stalk to regrow.
Water Propagation
- Submerge 2-inch base in 1 inch of tepid water
- Change water daily to prevent bacterial growth
- Expect white roots in 7-10 days under indirect light
Soil Transplanting
- Plant rooted base in 8-inch pot with drainage holes
- Use 3:1 potting mix to perlite ratio for aeration
- Bury until original cut line sits flush with soil
Ongoing Care
- Water when top inch dries - celery hates wet feet
- Apply seaweed extract weekly for micronutrients
- Rotate pots daily for even sun exposure
The method of managing light will determine regrowth success. In my experiment at my kitchen window, I found that providing 6 hours of indirect sunlight yields stalks thicker than those growing in full sunlight (burning celery sunburned turning yellow). Use sheer curtains to diffuse light for the more intense afternoon sunlight - celery sunburned tolerance demonstrated fully yellow patches that never greened up at most.
Cut re-grown stalks when the vertical ribs feel firm and are 8-10 inches in length. Twist outer stems at soil level, in a clockwise direction to keep and preserve the central crown. I have recorded 5 harvests from one plant before replanting.
Monitor water pH to avoid common failures; the ideal pH level is between 6.2 6.8. To neutralize acidity, I simply put crushed eggshells in the soil. Regarding pest control, I apply neem oil every week, being sure to focus on the undersides of leaves where aphids tend to cluster without me seeing them.
Read the full article: How to Grow Celery: Expert Homegrown Guide
