Celeriac (Celery Root) in Zone 9a & 9b
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
When to plant celeriac (celery root) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Celeriac (Celery Root) needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Dec 7–Dec 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 1–Feb 8 |
| Estimated harvest | May 12–May 19 (~100 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.

Celeriac is celery bred in the other direction: same species, but the plant puts its effort into a swollen root instead of stalks. It comes out of the ground looking like a knot of pale roots wrapped round a cricket ball, and once you've peeled it, it tastes like celery that has calmed down. Grated raw into a remoulade or roasted in chunks, it earns its space.
How celeriac (celery root) fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Celeriac (Celery Root) needs about 100 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Celeriac (Celery Root).
Where to buy celeriac seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing celeriac (celery root)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Pin this for later
Growing Celeriac (Celery Root) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest