Apium prostratum
sea celery
coastal southern Australia and New Zealand
Overview
Apium prostratum is a low, spreading perennial herb in the family Apiaceae, growing 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) tall and spreading 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) wide. The stems are fleshy and trail along the ground, turning up at the tips and rooting where they touch moist soil. The leaves are glossy green, divided into toothed leaflets, and smell of celery when crushed. Small white flowers are grouped into flat compound umbels 0.4–0.8 inch (10–20 mm) across, followed by tiny ribbed fruits. Flowering occurs mainly in spring and summer. The plant grows on coastal dunes, salt marshes, estuary edges, and rocky shores across southern Australia and New Zealand, tolerating salt spray and brackish soil. The leaves and stalks are edible and have long been used as a celery-like flavouring. It needs reliably moist soil and declines in hot, dry, inland positions. As a spreading herb it can root and move beyond its planted area in damp ground.
Native Range
Apium prostratum is native to coastal southern Australia and New Zealand, including Tasmania. It grows on dunes, salt marshes, estuary margins, and rocky shores, often within reach of salt spray and tidal moisture.Suggested Uses
Grown as an edible groundcover and herb in coastal, native, and kitchen gardens. Planted along pond margins and in damp beds where its trailing stems form a green mat. Grown in containers with moist potting mix where garden soil dries out.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Apium prostratum in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile soil that stays damp. It tolerates salt spray, brackish water, and coastal exposure and suits seaside gardens. Steady moisture is needed, as the plant declines in hot, dry, inland sites. Water regularly through dry spells and grow it near ponds or in damp beds. It tolerates light frost but is checked by hard frost. The leaves and stalks are edible, with the celery flavour most pronounced in young growth.Pruning
Trim Apium prostratum to take out old or flowering stems and bring on fresh leafy growth. Cutting back spent flower heads limits self-seeding. The plant reshoots readily from the base after trimming.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons