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Celeriac
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
A cool-season root vegetable in the carrot family (Apiaceae) grown for its swollen, edible, brown, turnip-like root, which tastes like celery with an additional turnip-like flavoring. Biennial by nature, it is grown as an annual: in its first season it forms a basal rosette of aromatic, pinnately divided leaves above the enlarging root, and only in a second year would it send up a summer bloom of off-white flowers in umbels. Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder describes a plant 2-3 feet tall and 1-1.5 feet wide that wants full sun, rich moist well-drained soil, and consistent water. It dislikes summer heat and humidity, growing best between 60-75 degrees F, and the root is ready to harvest after 3-4 months.
Edible
Light
Full sun
Water
Consistent moisture
Mature size
24-36" tall · 9" apart
Hardy in zones
Annual; Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA 3-6 context
AHS heat range
1-6
Plant range authored in AHS heat-zone terms.
Native in Illinois
No
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Seed starting
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Drainage and aeration
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Transplanting and establishment
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Grown for its swollen, edible, brown, turnip-like root, known as celeriac or celery root, which tastes like celery with a turnip-like additional flavoring.
Cold hardiness
Future
This plant is grown as an annual; hardiness zones don't apply.
Heat tolerance
Future
Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.
Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...
Sources & citations
Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum). Retrieved 2026, June 14, from https://plotwright.garden/plants/apium-graveolens-var-rapaceum
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited - 18 source-backed.
Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder
Botanical research database
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
Growth stages
Lifecycle
Regional guidance
Success tips
Designer notes