Celery stalks need 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week during peak season and 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water in the off-season. You’ll also want to water your celery crop as regularly as possible. The frequency with which you water contributes to both strong flavor and crisper texture. Set up a consistent water schedule and use drip irrigation or a watering can to provide sufficient water content. Celery plants don’t need much water but they do need regular watering to maintain moist soil.
How Much Water Does Celery Need Per Day?
Depending on outdoor temperatures, celery needs to be watered once per day or once every other day. Water your celery every day when temperatures are above 70℉ (21℃). When temperatures are below 70℉, reduce watering to once every two days. Whenever you water your celery, moisten the soil to a depth of 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm).
- Water celery every other day when daytime highs are below 70℉ (21℃).
- Water celery every day when temperatures rise above 70℉.
- Celery thrives in consistently moist soil.
- Moisten the soil to a depth of 2–3 (5–7.5 cm) inches at each watering.
You don’t need to water too deeply for your celery. Celery root only grows to a depth of 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm). As long as you are moistening the soil to that depth, your celery plants will reap the full benefits of watering. Because they are native to marshy areas, celery plants benefit from frequent watering and moist soil.
How Do You Water Celery?
The best way to water celery is with drip irrigation or a soaker hose. Your bunch of celery needs soil with consistent moisture. So, water your celery with a soaker hose every 1–2 days. Run the soaker hose until the soil is moist to a depth of 3 inches (7.5 cm). This should only require 5–15 minutes with a soaker hose.
- Water celery with this soaker hose to encourage consistently moist soil.
- Run your soaker hose for 5–15 minutes every 1–2 days to water your celery.
- When watering, moisten the soil to a depth of 3 inches (7.5 cm).
- Check soil moisture at a certain depth with this moisture meter.
- Sturdy and heavy-duty soaker hose.
- Perfect for watering plants and flowers in your garden.
- Available in a variety of sizes.
If you don’t have a soaker hose, you can use a watering can for your celery. Water roughly 3 inches in every direction around your celery plants. Wait for the water to begin pooling and then stop watering. If the water drains away quickly, you can add a bit more. Keep doing this until the soil looks well moistened. Then, test the soil moisture at a depth of 3 inches.
Does Celery Like Wet or Dry Soil?
Celery prefers consistently moist soil. Celery stalks depend on abundant water for their crunchy texture. However, celery does not thrive in swampy, muddy, or soggy conditions. It’s best to grow celery in moist, well-drained soil. For the best results, grow your celery in a raised bed.
- Celery stalks are up to 95% water, so celery needs moist soil to thrive.
- Maintain consistently moist soil so your celery has the proper texture and crunch.
- Avoid waterlogged soil—celery needs moist soil but will develop diseases in wet conditions.
Dry soil is not ideal for celery. In the same way, overly wet soil can damage the texture and flavor of your celery plant, dry soil can harm celery. Always aim for a happy medium—soil that is always moist to the touch but is never very wet or dry.
Can You Overwater Celery?
Although celery loves moist soil, it can be overwatered. Overwatered celery stalks become floppy and begin to wilt. This is because too much water can burst internal cell walls which cause stalks to lose their structure. Luckily, you can rescue your celery crop by scaling back your watering to ideal levels. You can also increase exposure to direct sunlight to help excess water evaporate away more quickly.
- Overwatered celery will start to droop and wilt.
- Swampy soil conditions lead to fungal disease and root rot.
- Reduce the watering frequency and increase sunlight exposure to save overwatered celery.
Overwatering your celery also leads to sludgy, swampy soil which is not conducive to healthy growth. Overly wet conditions can prompt fungal growth and lead to root rot. These diseases can lead to the death of your celery if they are not treated. Watch out for overwatering during rainy and/or cool periods when water may be slower to evaporate.
How Do You Know If Celery Needs Water?
Underwatered celery will start to wilt and turn yellow. The celery leaves will droop as well. If you bite into underwatered celery, it will feel stringy. This is because the lack of water will lead to a loss of fiber content and internal pressure that gives celery its crunch.
- Underwatered celery will wilt and yellow.
- Celery leaves will droop when there isn’t sufficient water.
- Watch out for underwatering in summer when hot temperatures evaporate the water more quickly.
Celery thrives best in fall to spring weather. Thus, the danger period for underwatering is actually the off-season, late summer. This is because the extra heat can evaporate water from the soil before it is absorbed by celery roots. This is especially a danger in hot climates.
Does Celery Require Lots of Water?
Celery does not require a lot of water but it does require a steady water supply. This helps to ensure consistent soil moisture which is important for maintaining the health benefits of celery. Here are some key things to keep in mind about watering celery:
- Celery needs a total of 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week.
- Water celery daily when temperatures are above 70℉ (21℃).
- Reduce watering to once every other day when temperatures are below 70℉.
- Water with a soaker hose for 5–15 minutes each time you water celery.
- If you’re watering by hand, use a watering can to moisten the soil for 3 inches (7.5 cm) around the base of the celery plant.
- The soil should be moist to a depth of 3 inches (7.5 cm) after each watering.
- Celery prefers consistently moist soil.
- Overwatered celery will become floppy and stringy.
- Underwatered celery will wilt and yellow.
Celery is a terrific food with a ton of health benefits. It is fairly easy to grow and not particularly fussy. If you want to grow a great vegetable, celery is an easy place to start.
