How to Grow Ami Ami
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Ami Ami
Apium graveolens var. graveolens
vegetableAmi Ami is a Japanese heirloom celery variety known for its tender, sweet stalks and mild flavor. It grows as a compact plant with thin, delicate stems that are prized for both fresh eating and cooking.
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Example Ami Ami timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Ami Ami
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Ami Ami
Around Jul 11≈ 85 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ami Ami dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-8; grows as cool-season crop in warmer zones
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Get my Ami Ami timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny, feathery cotyledons emerge; plants are delicate with threadlike stems
Keep soil consistently moist; maintain temps 65-75°F; provide bottom heat (70°F) to aid germination; use grow lights if indoors
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksFirst true leaves develop; plant grows slowly, forming a rosette base with thin green foliage
Thin seedlings to proper spacing; begin fertilizing with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks; maintain consistent moisture and cool temps
Stalk Development
4-6 weeksPlant forms multiple tender, elongating stalks (petioles) extending from the center; leaves become more prominent
Continue regular watering and monthly fertilizing with nitrogen-rich fertilizer; keep soil consistently moist; mound soil around base to blanch stalks if desired for whiter, milder flavor
Maturity
2-4 weeksStalks reach full length (12-18 inches tall), becoming crisp and tender; plant may begin bolting if exposed to prolonged heat
Monitor for bolting (flower stalk formation); harvest regularly to encourage continued production; provide afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent premature bolting
Harvest & Post-Harvest
2-8 weeks (harvest window)Stalks ready for cutting; older outer stalks may be tougher; plant slowly declines after extended harvesting
Cut outer stalks first, leaving inner ones to continue growing; harvest in early morning for crispest texture; use immediately or store in refrigerator
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage parasitic wasps
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Use floating row covers; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove weeds nearby that harbor bugs
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Use fine mesh row covers; intercrop with onion or carrot; thin seedlings to reduce damage
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Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe
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and
Remove debris; use beer traps or copper barriers; hand-pick at night; apply food-grade diatomaceous earth
Uses
Fresh Eating & Salads
CulinaryAmi Ami's tender, sweet stalks are excellent eaten raw in salads, on crudités platters, or as a snack with dips. The mild flavor and delicate texture make it particularly appealing compared to standard celery varieties. [source]
Cooking & Broths
CulinaryUse stalks and leaves in soups, stir-fries, stews, and vegetable broths. Japanese cuisine traditionally uses Ami Ami in miso soups and as a flavoring component in dashi-based dishes. [source]
Traditional Medicine & Wellness
MedicinalCelery has been used traditionally to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote circulation. The seeds contain compounds that may help with blood pressure regulation. [source]
Juice & Wellness Beverages
HouseholdFresh celery juice has become popular in wellness practices. Ami Ami's tender stalks are particularly suitable for juicing, yielding sweet, mild juice that blends well with other vegetables. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt and flower, Ami Ami produces small white/pale green flowers that attract beneficial insects, pollinators, and beneficial parasitic wasps that control garden pests. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer stalks when plants are 6-8 inches tall (about 60-70 days). Cut stalks near the base with a sharp knife or snap them off by bending back. Harvest in early morning for maximum crispness and water content. For blanched stalks (whiter, milder flavor), mound soil around the plant 3 weeks before harvest. Continuous harvesting encourages more stalk production. The entire plant is edible, including leaves (use in salads or as garnish) and roots (for stock or medicinal use).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ami Ami is a Japanese heirloom variety that has been cultivated for centuries and is prized in Japanese cuisine for its tender, sweet flavor and delicate stalks.
- 🌱 Celery is 95% water, making it an extremely hydrating vegetable and one of the lowest-calorie foods you can eat—just 6 calories per stalk!
- 🌱 The name 'Ami' is Japanese and refers to friendship or companionship, reflecting the variety's role as a cherished heirloom passed down through generations of Japanese gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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