Sea Celery - Apium annuum

TUBESTOCK

BUSH TUCKER

Sea Celery is a coastal species that may be used as a flavoursome herb or vegetable. Resembling young celery shoots in appearance and texture, this bush tucker is an interesting native substitute for European celery. Sea Celery can be found growing wild on sandy beaches and salt marshes in Victoria.

This plant adds salty notes to any dish, carrying hints of ‘ocean’ in its unique flavour. Use it as a garnish, finely chopped or in sprigs, to flavour soups, salads, and chicken and seafood dishes. Stems may be enjoyed fresh, or blanched to temper the strong flavours.

Harvest Sea Celery the same way you would harvest celery — pick stems often from the main plant throughout the growing season, or pull it out altogether by the root.

This drought-tolerant, frost-tolerant plant loves the sun, but, like other herbs, can still thrive in dappled shade. Choose a soil or potting mix that drains easily, and water well throughout the year. Like European celery, the leaves start out light green and darken as they mature, stemming outward from central rosette.

Sea Celery grows between 30cm and 50cm high, spreading out up to 50cm in diameter. Perfect for pots, veggie patches and garden beds, as well as an attractive edible gap filler.