White Plume

Celery

85d to harvest

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.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	—
Climate	Frost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Oct 1st
Harvest Begins	Dec 25th
Harvest Ends	Feb 28th

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

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.