Apium insulare – Island Sea Celery

An upright plant, related to normal celery, and also edible with a similar strong celery taste. It is adaptable to most soil types, from sandy to clay, and from acid, neutral to alkaline soils. It can grow in part shade to sunny spots, performs best with regular watering and feeding. It has decorative umbels of white flowers, and is easily propagated from seed. It is biennial to perennial, can die down over winter and regrow as the weather warms. It grows naturally on Flinders Island in Bass Strait, and also Lord Howe Island, so can handle coastal conditions. The stems can be used like celery, foliage can be used instead of parsley, flowers can be used as garnish.


Plant Information

Plant Type - Clumping perennial
Common Name - Flinders Island Sea Celery
Scientific Name - Apium insulare
Family - Apiaceae
Cultivar Name -
Other Common Name -
Minimum Height - 0.5
Maximum Height - 1
Minimum Width - 0.3
Maximum Width - 0.5
Flower Colour - White
Flowering Time - Spring, Summer
pH Level - Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type - Sandy, Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Potting mix, Saline
Plant Environment - Low maintenance garden, Courtyard, Container growing, Cottage garden, Coastal garden
Climate Zone - Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Cool
Light - Sunny, Light shade, Half shade
Growth Habit - Evergreen, Column-shaped
Life Span - Biennial, Perennial
Soil Moisture - Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage, Needs regular watering
Propagation Method - Seed
Frost Tolerance - Tolerates light frost
Plant Usage - Attractive foliage
Special Uses - Edible, Playground friendly
Attracts Wildlife - Bees, Butterflies, Other insects
Angus Cultivar - No