Apium graveolens

Apium graveolens — the species behind both crisp stem celery and knobbly celeriac, descended from wild marsh celery prized by the Greeks and Romans. The botanical home of our celery range.

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Apium graveolens — celery and celeriac

Apium graveolens is the botanical name for celery and its swollen-rooted form celeriac, a marsh-loving biennial in the carrot family (Apiaceae). It is the species behind our celery range within the stem vegetable collection.

History & origin

Celery descends from wild celery, or smallage, a strong-flavoured plant of Mediterranean and European marshes and coasts. The ancient Greeks and Romans valued it as a medicine and a ritual plant — celery leaves crowned the winners of the Nemean Games — long before it was tamed for the table. The mild, blanched celery we eat today was developed in Italy and France from around the 16th and 17th centuries, with the knobbly rooted celeriac following later.

Its name captures its pungency: Apium is the classical Latin name for the plant, and graveolens means “strong-smelling.”

Botanical characteristics

The species takes two main forms: stem celery, grown for its crisp, ribbed stalks, and celeriac, grown for its dense, knobbly root with a mild celery flavour. Both share the same aromatic leaves and love of rich, constantly moist soil — a reminder of those marshy origins. Stem celery sits alongside fennel and kohlrabi in our stem vegetables, while celeriac is at home among the root vegetables.

Growing Apium graveolens from seed

Celery and celeriac need a long season and never want to dry out — sow indoors in spring, keep the tiny seed warm and barely covered, and grow on in rich, moisture-retentive ground. Steady water is the key to tender, unstringy stems and good roots. Our vegetable sowing calendar and feeding guide help you grow them well.

Ready to grow celery? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Celery · Stem Vegetables · Root Vegetables · Fennel · All Vegetables

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Apium graveolens?
A single species that covers both stem celery and the swollen-rooted celeriac.

Where does celery originate?
From wild celery (smallage) of Mediterranean and European marshes and coasts.

What does the name mean?
Apium is the classical name for the plant and graveolens means “strong-smelling.”

What's the difference between celery and celeriac?
Celery is grown for its ribbed stalks, celeriac for its dense root — both are the same species.

How do I grow it?
Give it a long season in rich, moisture-retentive soil and never let it dry out.