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How to Grow Celeriac Prinz

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Celeriac Prinz

Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

vegetable

Celeriac 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.

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Example Celeriac Prinz timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Celeriac Prinz

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Celeriac Prinz

    Around Aug 15

    ≈ 120 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Celeriac Prinz dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade in hot climates
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Provide 1-1.5 inches per week through rain or irrigation. Irregular watering causes cracking and woody roots.
📏
Spacing: 6-8 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart inches
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Days to maturity: 120-150 days from transplant
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Planting depth: Surface sown or barely covered with soil (seeds need light to germinate); transplants 1/4 inch deep

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-8; can be grown in zones 3-9 with season adjustment

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

4-6 weeks

Tiny 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.

2

Vegetative Growth

8-10 weeks

Plant 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.

3

Bulb Development

6-8 weeks

Root 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.

4

Maturation

3-4 weeks

Bulb 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.

5

Harvest & Storage

Ongoing until first hard frost or soil freeze

Mature 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.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Onions Leeks Beets Spinach Swiss chard Dill Parsley Thyme Chamomile

Avoid planting near:

Carrots Parsnips Fennel Potatoes Cabbage Broccoli Cauliflower

Common Pests

  • Remove affected leaves; use row covers; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial parasitic wasps

  • Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); avoid spraying parsley family plants to preserve butterfly hosts

  • Use fine mesh row covers; time plantings to avoid peak flight; plant companions like onion; remove crop residue

  • and

    Beer traps; copper barriers; hand-pick at night; encourage ground beetles; apply diatomaceous earth

  • Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch; encourage natural predators (ladybugs, parasitic wasps)

  • Remove infected foliage; improve air circulation; water at soil level; apply copper fungicide; practice crop rotation

  • Remove affected leaves; apply sulfur or copper fungicide; improve drainage; avoid overhead watering

Uses

🍳

Root vegetable cooking & mashing

Culinary

Celeriac 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

Culinary

Young 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

Culinary

Celeriac 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

Medicinal

Celeriac 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

Household

Celeriac'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.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Crown Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Transplant True Leaves
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