How to Grow Celeriac Prinz
Celeriac Prinz
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
vegetableCeleriac Prinz is a popular cultivar of celery root (celeriac) prized for its smooth, uniform root bulbs with minimal side roots. This cool-season crop produces a large, knobby underground bulb with mild celery flavor, along with edible leafy tops. It's an excellent storage vegetable that keeps well in cool conditions.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-8; can be grown in zones 3-9 with season adjustment
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Growth Stages
Seedling
4-6 weeksTiny seedlings with 2-4 true leaves; very slow initial growth typical of celeriac
Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Keep soil warm (65-75°F) and consistently moist. Thin or transplant when 2-3 inches tall. Seedlings are delicate; handle gently.
Vegetative Growth
8-10 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with celery-like compound leaves; root bulb begins swelling underground
Transplant outdoors after last frost when soil is workable. Remove lower leaves as bulb develops to expose the crown. Keep consistently watered and feed every 3-4 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Mulch to retain moisture.
Bulb Development
6-8 weeksRoot bulb enlarges underground; foliage remains green and vigorous above ground
Continue consistent watering; this stage is critical for bulb size and quality. Remove any side roots and lower foliage. Fertilize every 3 weeks with nitrogen-rich formula. Monitor for pests and disease.
Maturation
3-4 weeksBulb reaches full size (3-5 inches diameter); foliage yellows slightly; root systems firm and dense
Reduce watering slightly as harvest approaches. Top-dress with compost if needed. Stop fertilizing 3-4 weeks before harvest. Check bulb size by gently clearing soil around crown.
Harvest & Storage
Ongoing until first hard frost or soil freezeMature bulbs are lifted from soil; foliage trimmed; roots cleaned and stored
Harvest after first frost or when bulbs are 3-5 inches diameter. Cure in cool (50-60°F) location for 1-2 weeks before storage. Store in cool, humid conditions (32-40°F, 90-95% humidity) for 2-4 months.
Common Pests
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Remove affected leaves; use row covers; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); avoid spraying parsley family plants to preserve butterfly hosts
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Use fine mesh row covers; time plantings to avoid peak flight; plant companions like onion; remove crop residue
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and
Beer traps; copper barriers; hand-pick at night; encourage ground beetles; apply diatomaceous earth
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch; encourage natural predators (ladybugs, parasitic wasps)
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Remove infected foliage; improve air circulation; water at soil level; apply copper fungicide; practice crop rotation
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Remove affected leaves; apply sulfur or copper fungicide; improve drainage; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Root vegetable cooking & mashing
CulinaryCeleriac Prinz bulbs are boiled, roasted, or mashed as a celery-flavored side dish or soup base. The root has a mild, nutty celery flavor distinct from the tops and can be pureed, cubed, or made into chips. [source]
Greens & salads
CulinaryYoung celeriac leaves and tops are edible and can be used fresh in salads, as a celery substitute in cooked dishes, or dried for herbal tea. They have a stronger celery flavor than the root. [source]
Storage vegetable
CulinaryCeleriac Prinz is prized for excellent cold storage capability, allowing fresh celery-flavored roots to be available months after harvest in winter months. [source]
Herbal & folk medicine
MedicinalCeleriac contains compounds including 3-n-butylphthalide and apocarotenoids with potential anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. Traditionally used as a tea or tonic for digestive and circulatory support. [source]
Natural food preservation
HouseholdCeleriac's excellent storage properties make it valuable for long-term food preservation without refrigeration, supporting traditional root cellar and cool storage methods. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest celeriac Prinz when bulbs reach 3-5 inches in diameter, typically 120-150 days after transplanting and after first frost improves flavor. Cut off foliage 1-2 inches above the bulb crown. Gently lift bulb with a garden fork, trying not to damage the roots. Cure bulbs in cool (50-60°F), well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks before storage. Store in cool cellar or refrigerator (32-40°F) in high humidity (90-95%) for 2-4 months. Remove any soil clinging to the bulb before storage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Celeriac Prinz is a German variety selected for smooth, nearly knot-free bulbs with minimal side roots, making peeling and preparation much easier than traditional celeriac varieties.
- 🌱 Despite being called 'celery root,' celeriac is a distinct variety of Apium graveolens that has been selected for its bulbous root rather than its leaf stalks, and the edible portion grows underground.
- 🌱 Celeriac was cultivated in Mediterranean regions for centuries and became especially popular in Central European and Scandinavian cuisines, where it remains a staple root vegetable.
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