Pink Plume

Family: Apiaceae Vegetable

Tender, plume-soft stalks in a blush pink that deepens as the season cools—Pink Plume brings a delicate, sweet celery flavor with a crisp, juicy snap.

The ribs are pleasantly fine-textured and stay pleasantly upright, making them especially satisfying for fresh bunches and elegant garnishes, as well as for brightening sauces and pickling brines with their gentle, aromatic character. For gardeners who love cool-season color, this 90-day variety delivers a distinctive rosy presence from garden to table.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Rosette

Showing planting schedules for Zone 6a. We detect Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 20th
Last Frost	May 1st
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 24th
Harvest Begins	Jul 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 10th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Pink Plume’s blush ribs stay pleasantly fine and upright, so they slice into salads and crudités without turning watery or fibrous. Its sweet, aromatic celery character shines in quick pickles and fast reductions where you want brightness and crunch—not heavy vegetal bitterness.

Best Uses

fresh bunch eating with a quick hit of salt and citrus
thin-rib ribbons for salads that hold crunch under light vinaigrettes
brightening sauces where you want celery aroma without stringy heft
quick pickles/brines for a clean, rosy snap

Flavor Profile

delicate sweet celery flavor crisp, juicy snap fine-textured, tender ribs gentle aromatic brightness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter chicken stock tarragon mustard crème fraîche

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Apium graveolens (sweet celery) and how do I manage it?

Celery is prone to early blight–type leaf spot and, in damp weather, septoria leaf spot, which show as dark spots that expand and yellow surrounding tissue. Keep leaves dry by watering at the soil line, space plants so air can circulate, remove badly spotted leaves, and use a preventative copper-based fungicide labeled for celery if spots start. If you see slugs or celery leafminers, use hand removal at dusk and trap/physical barriers around stems while continuing sanitation of fallen debris.

How often should I water sweet celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce) during the main growing phase?

During the main growth phase (after seedlings establish), keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1–2 inches per week total depending on heat, with more frequent watering in hot spells. Aim for damp but not waterlogged conditions; water deeply, then re-check moisture the next day so the top few inches don’t dry out completely. Mulch helps maintain steady moisture, which supports crisp, non-bitter stalks.

How can I tell when Pink Plume sweet celery is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 90 days from sowing when stalks are thick enough to stand up and feel firm rather than floppy. Look for stalks that have blanched to a light pink-to-pale color along the ribs (stages vary by how you blanch), and ensure the plants reach a usable size with tops not yet starting to bolt. For best quality, harvest in the cool morning and avoid leaving cut stalks exposed to sun for long.