Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Yes, you can grow celery from cuttings, and it’s one of the easiest kitchen scraps to regrow.
The base of a celery bunch—the part you usually toss—contains the crown, which can sprout fresh new stalks.
So if you’ve been asking “can you grow celery from cuttings,” the answer is a resounding yes.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to grow celery from cuttings, what to expect, and how to care for your new plant.
Let’s get growing.
Why You Can Grow Celery From Cuttings
You can grow celery from cuttings because the base of the bunch holds the plant’s growing point.
Here’s why this simple kitchen project works so well.
1. The Base Contains the Crown
The bottom inch or two of a celery bunch is called the crown.
This crown has tiny leaf buds and root nodes ready to grow.
When you place it in water, those nodes send out fresh roots.
That’s the whole reason you can grow celery from cuttings so easily.
2. Celery Is a Biennial Plant
Celery is a biennial, meaning it grows leaves and stalks in its first year.
The crown you’re working with is still in that leafy, vegetative stage.
So it happily pushes out new growth instead of trying to flower right away.
This makes growing celery from cuttings a reliable project.
3. Roots Form Quickly in Water
Celery crowns root fast when submerged in shallow water.
You’ll often see tiny white roots within a week.
Give it two to three weeks, and you’ll have a full little root system.
That’s when you know your celery cutting is ready for soil.
4. You Can Skip the Seed Stage
Starting celery from seed is slow and fussy.
Growing celery from cuttings skips that whole waiting game.
You go straight from kitchen scrap to new plant.
It’s faster, cheaper, and honestly more fun.
How to Grow Celery From Cuttings Step by Step
Growing celery from cuttings takes just a few minutes to set up.
Here’s the simple process.
1. Cut the Base Off a Fresh Bunch
Use a sharp knife to slice about two inches off the bottom of a celery bunch.
The fresher the celery, the better your chances.
Look for a base that’s still firm and pale green.
2. Place It in a Shallow Dish of Water
Set the base cut-side down in a small bowl with about an inch of water.
Keep the water level low so the top doesn’t rot.
Change the water every couple of days.
3. Give It Bright, Indirect Light
Put the dish on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light.
Celery needs light to push out those new leaves.
Avoid harsh midday sun, which can scorch the tender growth.
4. Wait for Roots and New Leaves
Within a week, you’ll see roots forming at the base.
Soon after, tiny leaves will sprout from the center.
Once roots are an inch or two long, your cutting is ready for soil.
5. Pot It Up in Moist Soil
Plant your rooted celery cutting in a pot filled with rich, moist potting mix.
Bury the crown just below the soil surface.
Keep the soil consistently damp, never soggy.
Tips for Growing Celery From Cuttings Successfully
Growing celery from cuttings is easy, but a few tips make it even better.
Here’s what to keep in mind.
1. Use Fresh, Organic Celery When Possible
Celery from a farmers market or organic bunch tends to root best.
Some conventional celery is treated to prevent sprouting.
Fresh, untreated stalks give you the best shot at growing celery from cuttings.
2. Keep the Soil Consistently Moist
Celery is a thirsty plant.
Water your cutting whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
A self-watering pot can help keep moisture steady.
3. Feed It Every Few Weeks
Once your celery cutting is established, feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Do this every two to three weeks during the growing season.
That keeps the new stalks tender and flavorful.
4. Watch for Pests and Rot
Aphids and slugs love celery.
Check the undersides of leaves and rinse them off with water.
If the crown turns mushy, toss it and start with a fresh cutting.
5. Harvest Outer Stalks First
When your celery plant matures, cut the outer stalks first.
Leave the inner ones to keep growing.
This way you can harvest from one cutting for months.
So, Can You Grow Celery From Cuttings?
Yes, you can grow celery from cuttings, and it’s a rewarding kitchen project.
The crown at the base of the bunch holds everything needed to sprout new roots and stalks.
With water, light, and a little patience, you’ll have fresh celery growing on your windowsill.
Give it a try, and you might never toss a celery base again.