White Plume

Family: Apiaceae Vegetable

Crisp, cool stalks rise like pale plumes—White Plume celery delivers a clean, delicate celery sweetness with a tender, juicy crunch and a fine, stringless bite.

Ideal for refreshing salads and bright garnishes, its blanched-looking light color and refined texture make it a standout in spring-to-fall beds. Grow it for long, elegant stalks that hold their crispness beautifully for fresh use and for silky sauces that benefit from its gentle flavor.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
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)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

White Plume celery is all about that cool, juicy snap—stringless and refined enough to eat raw without grit or chew. Use it shaved or batoned under acid and fat (lemon, butter, cheese) so it stays crisp and fragrant instead of turning rubbery.

Best Uses

ice-cold crudités and shaved celery salads where the crunch must hold
refreshing juice or smoothie base with other mild greens
quick-pickled batons for tangy snappy texture
silky stock or broth where celery adds aroma without overpowering

Flavor Profile

clean, delicate celery sweetness tender, juicy crunch fine, stringless bite bright, cool herbaceous finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter parmesan tahini chicken radish

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my celery plants (Apium graveolens var. dulce) getting brown, slimy spots or blackened stems, and what should I do?

This variety is prone to fungal rots like early blight/leaf spot and bacterial soft rot, especially when leaves stay wet and airflow is poor. Remove and discard any yellowing or mushy plants, avoid overhead watering, and water at the soil line; you can also thin to improve airflow and keep mulch from touching the stems. If problems are spreading across multiple plants, treat according to the label with an appropriate fungicide for celery/leaf spot/rots used in home gardens and repeat as directed.

How often should I water sweet celery during the main growing phase, and how moist should the soil stay?

During active growth, keep the soil consistently moist—not soggy—at about 1–2 inches of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, because celery (Apiaceae) quickly shows stress with uneven moisture. Aim for even moisture to prevent tough texture and bitter leaf flavor.

How can I tell when white plume sweet celery is ready to harvest at about 85 days?

Harvest when stalks are firm, well-developed, and the plant reaches full size for your spacing—typically around 85 days from transplant or sowing depending on your schedule. Cut individual stalks at the base once they’re thick and blanch to your preferred color, or harvest whole plants by slicing at soil level. If stalks feel hollow or lose firmness, harvest promptly to avoid decline.