Short answer: sprinkle 10 to 20 g of celery seed on the surface of fine, moist soil in a 10 × 20 inch tray. Press it down but don't bury it. Mist, cover loosely, and keep it warm and damp until it sprouts, often 7 to 10 days. Give bright light, water from below, and cut at 18 to 21 days.
What are celery microgreens?
Celery (Apium graveolens) seedlings have small, bright green leaves with an intense celery taste. Sprouting.com gives celery 18 to 21 days.1 It's slow, so start it alongside faster crops.
How to grow celery microgreens
- Day0
Sow on the surface
Sprinkle the tiny seed over fine, moist soil. Press it down gently; don't cover.
- Day0–10
Warm and damp
Cover loosely and mist daily. Keep it around 70°F (21°C).
- Day7–10
Light
Once most seeds sprout, give bright light.
- Day10–20
Water from below
Keep the soil evenly moist.
- Day18–21
Harvest
Cut above the soil once the first true leaves appear.
Problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing for a week | Normal for celery | Keep warm, damp and patient |
| Patchy tray | Seed dried out or buried | Surface-sow and mist often |
| Mold during the long start | Too wet, still air | Mist lightly, ventilate daily |
Tips for growing celery microgreens
- Surface-sow. Celery seed is tiny and germinates better with light contact.
- Mix with fine sand to spread it evenly.
- Keep it warm and damp. Celery is slow; a dry spell during the first week stops germination.
- Grow a small tray. A little celery microgreen goes a long way.
- Start it alongside faster crops so you have something to harvest while you wait.
Celery microgreens vs celery leaves
The leaves of a grown celery plant are strong and slightly bitter. Celery microgreens are tender and bright, with a clean, intense celery taste. They work as a fresh herb rather than a vegetable.
How to use celery microgreens
- Soups and stews: a fresh finish on chicken soup or vegetable stew.
- Salads: in tuna, chicken or egg salad.
- Potato salad: in place of chopped celery.
- Drinks: a garnish for a Bloody Mary or Caesar.
- Seafood: on crab cakes or shrimp cocktail.
Storing and eating
Use within 5 days. Add celery microgreens to soups, tuna or egg salad, Bloody Marys and stews. A small pinch goes a long way.
Celery FAQ
How long do celery microgreens take?
About 18 to 21 days, according to Sprouting.com. The tiny seed is slow to germinate, so keep it warm and damp.
Do celery microgreens taste like celery?
Yes, strongly. A small pinch gives a lot of celery flavour.
Should I cover celery seed with soil?
No. Celery seed is tiny and needs light contact to germinate well. Press it onto the surface and keep it misted.
Is celery a good microgreen for beginners?
Not really. It's slow and needs steady moisture. Try faster crops like radish or broccoli first.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
Sources
- Sprouting.com (Mumm's Sprouting Seeds). Product pages: days to sprout, soak time and yield for each seed. Link
