Cora

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Cora celeriac brings a richly aromatic, cellar-sweet flavor with a clean, nutty edge—its knobby crown holds a creamy, tender bite once fully developed.

At maturity, the bulb forms a squat, well-anchored shape with a smooth, pale skin that peels away to reveal an ivory interior prized for its velvety texture. Grow Cora for standout roasts, gratins, and silky purées, or for crisp, tangy pickles that showcase its distinctive celeriac character.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Upright

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Cora Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 8th	Aug 16th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 12th	Aug 20th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 6th	Aug 14th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 1st	Aug 9th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 27th	Aug 5th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 24th	Aug 2nd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 18th	Jul 27th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 13th	Jul 22nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 3rd	Jul 12th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 25th	Jul 3rd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jun 24th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 27th	Jun 7th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 2nd	May 13th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Cora celeriac earns the pan because it turns velvety without going woolly, and its nutty, aromatic sweetness shows up strongest after browning—then mellowing into cream. Treat it like a potato’s more perfumed cousin: roast first for flavor, purée for silk, or pickle for a sharp crunch that doesn’t get mushy.

Best Uses

low-and-slow roast until caramel-browned at the edges, then purée or spoonable sides
silky gratin with crème fraîche (or bechamel) and a restrained crumble of nutty cheese
smooth purée where it acts like a spoonable stand-in for heavier starches
quick refrigerator pickles for crisp, tangy slices that keep their bite

Flavor Profile

cellar-sweet, deeply aromatic celeriac funk clean nutty edge velvety, creamy-tender interior when cooked firm, snappy bite when raw or briefly dressed

Kitchen Pairings

butter crème fraîche parmesan mustard apple cider vinegar pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Apium graveolens var. rapaceum (celeriac), and how can I manage it?

Celeriac is especially prone to fungal leaf spots and early blight-like spotting in humid weather. Remove infected outer leaves, improve airflow, and water at the soil line (not the foliage) to keep leaves dry. If spots keep spreading, apply a labeled fungicide for vegetables and repeat according to the label interval.

How often should I water celeriac during the main growing phase to prevent problems?

During the main bulbing stage, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil about 1–2 inches deep. Water about once or twice per week depending on heat, increasing frequency during dry spells so the forming “knob” doesn’t crack or stall. Mulch helps maintain steady moisture around the roots without soaking the crown.

How do I tell when celeriac is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 100 days (or when the root is firm and has reached a usable size), typically before heavy frosts. The “bulb” should feel dense, with a thick, even body and minimal softness at the base. If leaves begin to yellow and the root skin looks well-set, cut the stems and lift the bulbs carefully with a fork.