Kintsai

Family: Apiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Crisp, cool-kissed stalks rise with a clean, bright celery snap—tender yet sturdy, with a fragrant green depth that feels freshly cut even before it’s gathered.

Kintsai delivers an elegant cutting celery habit in about 45 days, producing slender, upright stems and abundant leafy tops for repeat harvests. Ideal for refreshing salads and vibrant garnishes, it also shines in soups, stir-fries, and quick pickles where its lively celery flavor and snappy texture bring instant lift.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Upright

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Kintsai 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	Apr 20th	Jul 20th	Sep 3rd – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 13th	Aug 27th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Aug 17th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Aug 17th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 7th	Aug 21st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Aug 17th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 1st	Aug 15th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jun 26th	Aug 10th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 22nd	Aug 6th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 19th	Aug 3rd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 13th	Jul 28th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 8th	Jul 23rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	May 29th	Jul 13th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 20th	Jul 4th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 11th	Jun 25th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Apr 24th	Jun 8th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Mar 30th	May 14th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Kintsai’s upright, cutting habit gives you that classic celery crunch with a freshly cut, green-herbal fragrance that doesn’t turn watery fast. Use it raw for the snap or add it at the end of hot cooking so the stalk stays springy instead of going soft.

Best Uses

raw cutting celery for crunchy salads and slaws
hot-and-quick stir-fries where it stays snappy (add near the end)
stirred into soups for aromatic lift, then served with the garnish
quick pickling for crisp rounds that keep their bite

Flavor Profile

clean celery snap bright, cool herbal bite fragrant green depth tender-yet-sturdy stalk crunch

Kitchen Pairings

lemon black pepper white miso butter anchovy parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on kintsai (Apium graveolens var. secalinum), and how do I manage it?

Kintsai is especially prone to celery leaf miner and leaf blight (often favored by humid, wet foliage). Inspect weekly for silvery tunnels on leaves and remove infested leaves early; keep rows well spaced and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. If blight appears, cut back affected tips and improve airflow immediately (thinner plants, morning watering, and no overhead irrigation).

How often should I water kintsai during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level does it need?

During active leaf growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for a “damp to the touch” top 1–2 inches. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and wind, increasing frequency if the top inch dries out quickly. Mulch can help maintain even moisture, which is crucial for tender, non-bitter leaves.

How can I tell when kintsai is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants are about 45 days from sowing, when leaves are well-developed and stems are tender (not woody or tough). Cut the outer leaves first to encourage regrowth, or harvest whole plants once they have a dense rosette and reach the size you want. If leaves start looking coarse or tightly upright as plants bolt, harvest immediately for best flavor.