Pink Plume Celery

Family: Apiaceae Vegetable

Silken, plume-like stalks in a blush-pink to rosy-rose tone rise with a tender snap and a pleasantly crisp, clean celery fragrance.

Pink Plume Celery forms an upright, compact clump with finely textured leaves and a mild, bright flavor that stays sweet and refreshing from garden to table. Ideal for fresh use and for adding color and crunch to salads, slaws, and vibrant garnishes, its distinctive pink cast makes every harvest feel like a small celebration.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Pink Plume Celery

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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)	30
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Pink Plume brings a cleaner, sweeter celery crunch than many stringier types, so it stays pleasant even raw—no need to cook away the bite. Use it as the cold, green-pink contrast in anything creamy or briny; it will look great and keep its snap.

Best Uses

raw slaws and mixed-leaf salads where you want color + a crisp bite
pickled celery batons for a pink-tinged crunch in relishes
finishing garnish for soups, chowders, and seafood platters—keeps its shape
quick celery relish (finely chopped) to add cold snap to sandwiches and wraps

Flavor Profile

mild, bright celery sweetness tender, snappy stalk crunch clean herbaceous aroma with a cool finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil tuna shrimp cream cheese buttermilk

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Apium graveolens var. dulce (Pink Plume celery), and how can I control it?

Celery commonly suffers from early blight/leaf spot and sometimes septoria-like leaf spotting, especially when foliage stays wet. Water at the soil line, thin plants for airflow, remove spotted leaves early, and rotate away from Apiaceae beds when possible; if spots spread, use a labeled copper fungicide per package directions. Watch closely for aphids on tender new growth—rinse them off with a strong stream and treat with insecticidal soap if needed.

How often should I water Pink Plume celery during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I keep?

During the main growth phase, keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy) to support dense, crisp stems—aim for evenly damp soil about 1–2 inches down. Water deeply 2–3 times per week in typical conditions, then adjust to maintain that moisture level; celery in warm part-sun dries quickly and will develop toughness if it goes dry. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, but avoid waterlogging, which increases leaf disease pressure.

How do I tell when Pink Plume celery is ready to harvest (Apium graveolens var. dulce)?

Harvest at about 85 days, when stalks are firm, well-filled, and reach the expected size for your planting density. Use your hand to gently feel the base—stalks should be crisp and substantial rather than thin and flexible. For the best flavor and texture, harvest before prolonged hot weather and before stems start to look loosely formed.