How to Grow Celery in Containers or Pots

Celery is one of the trickier vegetables to grow in the ground, but in my 30+ years of gardening, I’ve found that it thrives surprisingly well in containers—if given the right conditions. Growing celery in pots lets you control soil, water, and pests more easily, and it’s a great option for gardeners with limited space or poor soil. In this guide, I’ll share step-by-step tips, drawn from experience, to help you successfully grow crisp, tender celery in containers.

Table of Contents

Choosing the Right Container

Celery has shallow but wide-spreading roots and thrives when it has room.

Container Size: Choose a pot at least 12 inches deep and 12–18 inches wide. A 5-gallon bucket works well.
Material: Plastic or glazed ceramic pots retain moisture better than clay, which dries quickly.
Drainage: Ensure at least one drainage hole to prevent root rot.

Soil for Container Celery

Celery loves nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive soil. I use a homemade mix of:

2 parts high-quality potting mix
1 part compost or worm castings
A handful of organic slow-release fertilizer

This ensures the steady nutrients celery needs for its long growing season.

Planting Celery in Pots

From Seedlings: Transplant celery starts when they’re 3–4 inches tall.
Spacing: Plant one celery plant per 12-inch pot, or 2–3 in larger tubs.
Depth: Set seedlings at the same depth they grew in their nursery pots.

Watering Celery in Containers

Celery is about 95% water. In containers, soil dries faster, so consistent watering is essential.

Keep the soil evenly moist, never dry.
Water daily in hot weather.
Mulch with straw or shredded leaves to help retain moisture.

Feeding Celery in Pots

Celery is a heavy feeder. In containers, nutrients leach out faster with watering.

Mix in a slow-release organic fertilizer at planting.
Supplement with liquid fish emulsion or seaweed every 2–3 weeks.

This steady feeding produces strong, flavorful stalks.

Container Care Tips

Sunlight: Place pots where celery gets 6–8 hours of sun daily.
Support: If stalks begin to spread, corral them gently with twine or a soft band.
Blanching: For tender, pale stalks, wrap the base with newspaper or cardboard during the last 2–3 weeks before harvest.

Pests and Diseases in Pots

Container celery still attracts pests like aphids, slugs, and caterpillars. Check plants often and:

Spray aphids with water or insecticidal soap.
Handpick slugs at night.
Remove infected leaves to prevent fungal spread.

Harvesting Celery from Containers

Harvest outer stalks as needed once plants are 8–10 inches tall.
For full heads, cut the plant at the soil line after about 100–120 days.

My Experience Tip

When I first grew celery in containers, I underestimated how quickly pots dry out. Setting pots in shallow trays of water during summer helped me keep the soil consistently moist without overwatering.

Final Thoughts

With the right pot, rich soil, and steady care, celery grows beautifully in containers. Whether you’re short on garden space or simply want to keep celery close to the kitchen, container growing is a reliable and rewarding method.

Quick Checklist: Growing Celery in Containers

✅ Container Size: 12–18″ wide, 12″ deep, with drainage holes
✅ Soil Mix: Potting soil + compost + slow-release fertilizer
✅ Planting: 1 plant per 12″ pot (or 2–3 in large tubs)
✅ Sunlight: 6–8 hours daily
✅ Watering: Keep soil consistently moist; mulch to reduce drying
✅ Feeding: Liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks
✅ Care: Tie stalks if they spread; blanch with newspaper for tender stalks
✅ Pests: Check for aphids, slugs, and caterpillars—control naturally
✅ Harvest: Cut outer stalks at 8–10″ or whole plant after 100–120 days