How to Grow Sea Celery in New Zealand

A coastal native of New Zealand and Australia with a strong celery-parsley flavour, traditionally eaten by Maori. Salt-tolerant and easy in sandy, free-draining soil, it suits pots, rockeries and coastal gardens. More intensely flavoured than ordinary celery, so use it sparingly.

When to plant sea celery in New Zealand

Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:

Region	When to sow or plant
Northland	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December
Auckland	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December
Waikato & BoP	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December
Wellington	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December
Nelson & Marlborough	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December
Canterbury	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December
Otago & Southland	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December
Central Otago	January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December

Best sea celery varieties for NZ

Sea Celery (Apium prostratum) — Coastal native with an intense celery-parsley flavour, known to Maori as tutae kouau. (Naturally Native, specialist native nurseries)

How to grow sea celery

Space plants about 30cm apart.
Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
Position: full sun.
Ready to harvest in roughly 90 days.
Seeds germinate in about 21 days.

Companion planting

Grow sea celery near: Pigface, Samphire.

Pests and problems

Watch for: few pests. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.

For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Sea Celery plant page.

FAQ

When is the best time to plant sea celery in New Zealand?

In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.

Where can I buy sea celery seeds or plants in NZ?

Try Naturally Native, specialist native nurseries.