VerdurasTallos y brotesHidroponíaPrincipiante

Apio Chino

Apium graveolens var. secalinum

De un vistazo

Luz solarSol parcial (3-6h)

Necesidad de aguaAlta (humedad constante)

Tolerancia a heladasSemi-rústica (helada ligera)

Días hasta madurez60 días

Espaciado de plantas20cm (8″)

Zonas de rusticidadZone 3–10

DificultadPrincipiante

Rendimiento esperado200-400g

El apio chino (Apium graveolens var. secalinum) es una variedad de apio originaria de Asia con tallos más delgados y un aroma mucho más intenso que el apio occidental. Sus hojas y tallos, de color verde oscuro, tienen un sabor pronunciado y ligeramente amargo que es fundamental en la cocina china y del sudeste asiático.

Calendario de plantación y cosecha

🍅¡Tiempo de cosecha!

Ene

Feb

Mar

Abr

May

Jun

Jul

Ago

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dic

SiembraCosechaMes actual60 días hasta la madurez

Etapas de crecimiento

De la semilla a la cosecha

Siembra

Las semillas del apio chino son muy pequeñas y germinan lentamente en 14-21 días. Necesitan luz para germinar y deben sembrarse en la superficie con humedad constante y temperaturas frescas.

💡 Consejo de cuidado

Siembra las semillas sobre un sustrato de germinación previamente humedecido y presiónalas ligeramente. No las entierres. Mantén la humedad y colócalas bajo luz intensa.

Tiny Chinese celery seedlings with thin, delicate stems and first true leaves

Chinese celery seedlings are extremely fine and slow to establish — patience is essential in the first weeks

Calendario de cuidado mensual

Qué hacer cada mes para tu Apio Chino

Mayo

Mes actual

Establish a regular watering schedule — Chinese celery demands consistently moist soil and will bolt prematurely if stressed by drought. Feed every two weeks with balanced liquid fertilizer. Begin harvesting outer stems once plants reach 25 cm.

¿Sabías que?

Datos fascinantes sobre Apio Chino

Chinese celery (Apium graveolens var. secalinum) is much closer to wild celery than the thick-stalked Western variety — it retains the intense, almost peppery flavor that selective breeding removed from supermarket celery over centuries of European cultivation.

Elija una ubicación con sol parcial a pleno sol. El apio chino tolera más sombra que el apio occidental y es más resistente a temperaturas extremas. El suelo debe ser rico en materia orgánica, constantemente húmedo pero bien drenado, con pH entre 6,0 y 7,0. Incorpore abundante compost antes de la siembra.

Siembre las semillas en bandejas de germinación a 0,3 cm de profundidad, ya que necesitan algo de luz para germinar. Trasplante cuando las plántulas tengan 4-6 hojas verdaderas, espaciando 15-20 cm entre plantas y 30 cm entre hileras. También es posible la siembra directa aclarando posteriormente.

Mantenga el suelo uniformemente húmedo con riego regular; la sequía provoca tallos fibrosos y amargos. Aplique acolchado orgánico para conservar la humedad. Fertilice cada 2-3 semanas con un abono líquido rico en nitrógeno. El apio chino es más robusto y tolerante que el apio convencional, soportando mejor el calor y el frío.

Rows of Chinese celery growing densely in a raised garden bed

Chinese celery grows well in dense plantings and makes an excellent edging plant for garden beds

Chinese celery (Apium graveolens var. secalinum) descends from wild celery, a marshland plant native to the Mediterranean basin and parts of western Asia. While the same species as Western celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce), Chinese celery followed a completely different domestication path that preserved the plant's intense aromatic qualities rather than selecting for thick, mild stems. Archaeological and textual evidence suggests celery was being cultivated in China by at least 1000 BCE, and possibly earlier, with references in ancient Chinese agricultural texts describing its use as both food and medicine.

For millennia, Chinese celery was valued primarily as a medicinal herb before becoming a culinary staple. Traditional Chinese medicine texts from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE) recommend celery preparations for reducing heat in the body, calming the liver, and lowering blood pressure — uses that have persisted in Chinese herbal practice to the present day. The plant's thin, hollow stems and powerfully aromatic leaves were prized precisely because of their strong flavor, in stark contrast to European breeding programs that spent centuries selecting for milder, thicker stalks.

Today, Chinese celery is one of the most widely grown and consumed leafy vegetables across East and Southeast Asia. It is indispensable in Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian cooking, appearing in stir-fries, soups, salads, dumplings, and as a finishing garnish. China remains the largest producer by an enormous margin, growing the vast majority of the world's celery crop. The plant has seen renewed interest from Western gardeners and chefs who appreciate its concentrated flavor, easier cultivation compared to Western celery, and versatility as both vegetable and herb.

Siembre en bandejas de germinación 8-10 semanas antes de la fecha de trasplante, a 0,3 cm de profundidad sobre sustrato húmedo. Las semillas son diminutas y necesitan algo de luz para germinar; no las cubra en exceso. La germinación tarda 14-21 días a 18-22 °C. Mantenga el sustrato constantemente húmedo. Trasplante al exterior cuando las plántulas tengan 4-6 hojas verdaderas y haya pasado el riesgo de heladas fuertes.

Requiere suelos ricos en materia orgánica, profundos y con buena retención de humedad, con pH entre 6,0 y 7,0. Incorpore compost maduro o estiércol bien descompuesto antes de la siembra. Aplique fertilizante líquido rico en nitrógeno cada 2-3 semanas durante el crecimiento activo. Evite suelos arenosos que se sequen rápidamente.

Ideal (zonas 3-10)Invernadero / protección necesariaNo recomendado

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Verifica si Apio Chino es adecuado para tu ubicación.

15°C – 25°C

59°F – 77°F

0°C15°C30°C45°C

Chinese celery thrives in cool to moderate temperatures between 15-25°C (60-77°F). It tolerates light frost down to -3°C (27°F) and often develops its best flavor during cool autumn weather. Heat above 27°C (80°F) causes rapid bolting, bitter flavor, and tough stems. In hot climates, grow as a spring or autumn crop and provide afternoon shade. Unlike Western celery, Chinese celery is somewhat more heat-tolerant but still performs best in cool conditions.

Problemas comunes que afectan a Apio Chino y cómo prevenirlos y tratarlos de forma orgánica.

La sequía es el principal enemigo: provoca tallos fibrosos, duros y excesivamente amargos. El riego irregular causa agrietamiento de los tallos. Las temperaturas extremas pueden inducir el espigado prematuro. La mosca del apio es la plaga más frecuente y difícil de controlar sin protección física.

Apio Chino

Crece bien con

Mantener alejado de

Se asocia bien con puerros, cebollas y ajos, que ayudan a repeler la mosca del apio con su aroma. Los tomates y las judías son buenos compañeros de cultivo. Evite plantar junto a maíz y perejil. La asociación con tagetes ayuda a disuadir nematodos del suelo.

1Start seeds indoors and be patient — Chinese celery seeds are among the slowest to germinate in the vegetable garden, often taking 14-21 days. Surface-sow on moist mix and keep under plastic in bright indirect light. Do not bury seeds or they will fail to sprout.
2Never let the soil dry out. Chinese celery evolved from wetland plants and is extremely intolerant of drought. Even brief dry spells trigger bolting, bitter flavor, and tough fibrous stems. Mulch heavily and water consistently.
3Grow Chinese celery in partial shade during hot summers. Unlike most vegetables, it actually performs better with 4-6 hours of direct sun in warm climates rather than full sun, which causes premature bolting and bitter leaves.
4Harvest outer stems first and leave the inner crown to regenerate. This cut-and-come-again technique can triple your total yield compared to harvesting the entire plant at once. Always cut at the base with a sharp knife rather than pulling.
5Feed generously with nitrogen-rich fertilizer throughout the growing season. Chinese celery is a heavy feeder that responds dramatically to regular feeding — underfed plants produce thin, stringy stems with poor flavor.
6Succession-sow every 3-4 weeks starting in early spring for an uninterrupted supply. A single planting will eventually bolt or exhaust itself, so overlapping plantings ensure you always have fresh Chinese celery available.
7Chinese celery makes an excellent container plant. Grow in pots at least 20 cm deep with rich potting mix, placed where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Container growing also makes it easy to move plants to shelter during heat waves.
8Save seeds from your best plants — let one or two bolt fully and produce their tiny umbrella-shaped flower clusters. The seeds are not only viable for future planting but are also a delicious celery-flavored spice for cooking.

Coseche los tallos exteriores cuando alcancen 20-30 cm de altura, cortando en la base a nivel del suelo. Esto permite que los tallos interiores continúen creciendo para cosechas sucesivas. La primera cosecha puede realizarse a los 60-80 días de la siembra. Alternativamente, corte toda la planta a 3-5 cm del suelo para un rebrote completo. Coseche por la mañana para máxima frescura.

Freshly harvested bunch of Chinese celery with roots trimmed and stems bundled

A freshly harvested bunch of Chinese celery — the entire plant from leaf to stem is edible

Conserve los tallos frescos en el refrigerador envueltos en papel húmedo dentro de una bolsa plástica durante 1-2 semanas. Para congelar, blanquee los tallos cortados durante 1 minuto, enfríe en agua helada y almacene en bolsas herméticas hasta 6 meses. También puede picar finamente y secar para usar como condimento aromático en sopas y guisos.

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¿Te gusta cultivar Apio Chino? Usa nuestro planificador de jardín gratuito para diseñar tus bancales, seguir las fechas de siembra y recibir recordatorios de cuidado personalizados.

Planificador drag & dropCalendario de siembraGuía de plantas compañeras

Probar el planificador

Información nutricional

Por porción de 100g

Calorías

Vitamina C7mg (8% DV)

Vitamina A4490 IU (90% DV)

Potasio344mg (10% DV)

Fibra1.8g (7% DV)

Beneficios para la salud

Exceptionally rich in vitamin A — Chinese celery provides nearly 90% of the daily value per 100g, far more than Western celery, supporting vision, skin health, and immune function
Good source of vitamin K essential for blood clotting and bone metabolism, with 100g providing approximately 30% of the daily value
Contains apigenin and luteolin, two flavonoids studied for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help reduce the risk of chronic disease
Rich in volatile compounds including sedanolide and butylphthalide, which give Chinese celery its strong aroma and have been studied for blood-pressure-lowering effects
Very low in calories at just 16 per 100g, making it an excellent nutrient-dense addition to meals without significant caloric impact
Provides folate (B9), important for DNA synthesis and cell division, and particularly beneficial during pregnancy for fetal neural development

💰 ¿Por qué cultivar tus propios?

A packet of Chinese celery seeds ($2-4) contains 500-1,000 seeds — enough to grow a year's supply. Fresh Chinese celery sells for $2-4 per bunch at Asian markets and $4-6 at Western specialty grocers, with limited availability outside major cities. Growing your own ensures a constant supply of this essential Asian cooking ingredient and eliminates trips to specialty markets. Ten plants in a small bed can easily save $30-50 per season.

Close-up of deeply serrated Chinese celery leaves with intense green color

The deeply cut, parsley-like leaves carry the strongest flavor and are prized as a garnish and herb

Recetas rápidas

Recetas sencillas con Apio Chino frescos

Chinese Celery and Dried Tofu Stir-Fry

15 min

A classic Chinese home-cooking dish pairing the bold peppery crunch of Chinese celery with savory pressed tofu. Quick wok cooking preserves the celery's distinctive bite and intense aroma — a staple weeknight side across eastern China.

Clear Pork Rib and Chinese Celery Soup

45 min

A light, restorative Chinese soup where pork ribs are simmered into a delicate broth and finished with a generous handful of Chinese celery for bright, herbal fragrance. The celery is added in the final minutes to preserve its crunch and flavor.

Chinese Celery and Peanut Salad

10 min

A refreshing cold dish common in Sichuan and northern Chinese cooking — blanched Chinese celery tossed with roasted peanuts in a fragrant sesame and vinegar dressing. Served chilled as a starter or side, it showcases the celery's herbal intensity.

Chinese celery cut into segments being stir-fried in a wok with garlic

Chinese celery holds its crunch beautifully in quick high-heat wok cooking

Calculadora de Rendimiento y Espaciado

Vea cuántas plantas de Apio Chino caben en su cama de jardín basándose en el espaciado recomendado de 20cm.

Apio Chino plantas en una cama de 4×4 ft

6 columnas × 6 filas a 20cm de espaciado

Variedades populares

Algunas de las variedades de apio chino más populares para jardineros caseros, cada una con características únicas.

Kintsai

Variedad estándar japonesa de tallos finos y verde oscuro con aroma intenso. Muy productiva con cosechas repetidas. 65-70 días hasta primera cosecha.

Amsterdam

Selección holandesa con tallos algo más gruesos y sabor ligeramente más suave. Buena resistencia al frío. 60-70 días.

Par-Cel

Variedad intermedia entre apio y perejil con tallos delgados y hojas muy aromáticas. Excelente para uso como hierba aromática en la cocina. 70-80 días.

Ingrediente esencial en la cocina china y tailandesa, donde se utiliza tanto como verdura como hierba aromática. Los tallos y hojas se saltean con carne, tofu o mariscos en woks. Fundamental en sopas y caldos asiáticos por su aroma intenso. También se usa crudo en ensaladas con aderezo de sésamo, o como guarnición aromática picada finamente sobre platos de fideos.

¿Cuándo debo plantar Apio Chino?

Planta Apio Chino en Marzo, Abril, Agosto, Septiembre. Toma aproximadamente 60 días para madurar, con cosecha típicamente en Mayo, Junio, Octubre, Noviembre.

¿Cuáles son buenas plantas acompañantes para Apio Chino?

Apio Chino crece bien junto a Tomate, Puerro, Cebolla. El cultivo acompañante puede mejorar el crecimiento, sabor y control natural de plagas.

¿En qué zonas de rusticidad puede crecer Apio Chino?

Apio Chino prospera en zonas de rusticidad USDA 3 a 10. Con protección de invernadero, puede cultivarse en zonas 1 a 11.

¿Cuánto sol necesita Apio Chino?

Apio Chino requiere Sol parcial (3-6h). Esto significa 3-6 horas de luz solar, idealmente sol de mañana con sombra de tarde.

¿A qué distancia debo espaciar Apio Chino?

Espacia las plantas de Apio Chino a 20cm (8 pulgadas) para crecimiento óptimo y circulación de aire.

¿Qué plagas y enfermedades afectan a Apio Chino?

Los problemas comunes incluyen Mosca del apio (Euleia heraclei), Septoriosis (Septoria apiicola), Pulgón verde del apio (Myzus persicae). La prevención a través de buenas prácticas de jardinería como rotación de cultivos, espaciado adecuado y cultivo acompañante es el mejor enfoque. Consulta la sección de plagas y enfermedades para más detalles.

¿Cómo almaceno Apio Chino después de la cosecha?

¿Cuáles son las mejores variedades de Apio Chino para cultivar?

Las variedades populares incluyen Kintsai, Amsterdam, Par-Cel. Cada una tiene características únicas adaptadas a diferentes condiciones de cultivo y preferencias culinarias. Consulta la sección de variedades para descripciones detalladas.

¿Qué suelo necesita Apio Chino?

What is the difference between Chinese celery and regular celery?

Chinese celery (Apium graveolens var. secalinum) has thin, hollow stems about 5-8 mm in diameter compared to the thick 2-3 cm stems of Western celery. Its flavor is dramatically more intense — peppery, aromatic, and herbaceous — while Western celery has been selectively bred over centuries for mild sweetness and thick stalks. Chinese celery leaves are deeply serrated and far more flavorful, used as an herb as well as a vegetable. Chinese celery is also significantly easier to grow, requiring less blanching, less space, and tolerating a wider range of conditions.

Why does my Chinese celery keep bolting?

Chinese celery bolts (sends up a flowering stalk) in response to heat stress, drought stress, or increasing day length. Keep soil consistently moist and provide afternoon shade when temperatures exceed 25°C (77°F). Avoid transplant shock by hardening off seedlings gradually. In hot climates, grow as a spring or autumn crop rather than through summer. Some bolting is inevitable in long-day conditions — harvest heavily before bolt and succession-sow to maintain supply.

Can I use Chinese celery as a substitute for Western celery in recipes?

Yes, but with adjustments. Chinese celery's flavor is 3-5 times more intense than Western celery, so use about one-third to one-half the amount called for in Western recipes. The thin stems cook much faster — add them in the last 1-2 minutes of stir-frying or at the very end of soups. Chinese celery excels in Asian recipes but can overwhelm delicate Western dishes if used in equal quantities. The leaves make an excellent substitute for flat-leaf parsley with a celery twist.

How do I store Chinese celery to keep it fresh?

Wrap unwashed Chinese celery loosely in a damp paper towel, place inside a plastic bag with the top slightly open, and store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. It keeps for 7-10 days this way. For longer storage, chop stems and leaves and freeze in ice cube trays with a splash of water — frozen cubes can be dropped directly into soups and stir-fries. Dried leaves also retain good flavor and can be crumbled into dishes like a dried herb.

Is Chinese celery easy to grow compared to Western celery?

Significantly easier. Western celery is notoriously one of the most difficult vegetables to grow, requiring blanching, constant moisture, cool temperatures for months, and rich soil. Chinese celery shares the need for moisture and fertility but requires no blanching, tolerates a wider temperature range, matures faster (70-90 days vs. 120-150 days), and is far more forgiving of imperfect conditions. It is an excellent crop for beginners interested in Asian vegetables.

Can I grow Chinese celery indoors?

Yes, Chinese celery is one of the better vegetables for indoor growing. Its compact size, tolerance of partial shade, and shallow root system make it well-suited to windowsill or grow-light cultivation. Use a pot at least 15 cm deep with rich potting mix, keep soil consistently moist, and provide 6-8 hours of bright light daily. Harvest outer stems regularly to keep the plant productive. Indoor plants produce smaller yields but can supply fresh leaves and stems year-round.