You can grow Chinese celery from cuttings, and it’s one of the easiest kitchen scraps to regrow.
Instead of tossing the base of your store-bought bunch, you can turn it into a fresh supply of stems and leaves right on your windowsill.
Chinese celery, also known as cutting celery or smallage, is a flavorful cousin of regular celery, and it regrows fast when you give it the right start.
If you’ve been wondering how to grow Chinese celery from cuttings, the good news is you only need the bottom two inches of a bunch, a glass of water, and a little patience.
In this post, we’ll walk through growing Chinese celery from cuttings step by step, plus how to move it to soil and keep it producing for months.
Let’s get growing.
How to Grow Chinese Celery From Cuttings: The Basics
Growing Chinese celery from cuttings works because the base of the plant contains the crown.
That crown is packed with dormant growing points, and when it touches water, those points wake up and push out new leaves and stems.
So when you grow Chinese celery from cuttings, you’re not starting from seed, you’re basically restarting a plant that already has a head start.
Here’s what makes it so reliable:
1. Chinese Celery Regrows From the Base
The bottom of a Chinese celery bunch is the part most people throw away, but it’s the most valuable piece for growing Chinese celery from cuttings.
As long as that base is fresh and hasn’t dried out, it can sprout brand-new growth within a week.
2. You Only Need Water to Start
Water is enough to kick off the process when you grow Chinese celery from cuttings.
The cutting doesn’t need soil right away, and it doesn’t need rooting hormone either.
A clean jar and fresh water are all it takes to get those first roots and shoots going.
3. It’s Fast Compared to Seeds
Growing Chinese celery from cuttings is much quicker than sowing seeds.
Seeds can take weeks to germinate, while a cutting can show new leaves in just a few days.
That speed is exactly why so many gardeners choose cuttings over seed for this plant.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Chinese Celery From Cuttings
Now let’s get into the actual process of growing Chinese celery from cuttings.
Follow these steps and you’ll have a healthy little plant before you know it.
1. Cut the Base About 2 Inches From the Bottom
Take your bunch of Chinese celery and slice off the bottom two inches with a sharp knife.
Make the cut clean and straight so the base can take up water easily.
This base is the foundation for growing Chinese celery from cuttings, so don’t trim it too thin.
2. Place It in a Shallow Dish of Water
Set the base upright in a small bowl or jar with about an inch of water.
Only the bottom should sit in the water, not the whole cut side.
Change the water every day or two to keep it fresh and prevent rot while you grow Chinese celery from cuttings.
3. Keep It in Bright, Indirect Light
Put your jar on a sunny windowsill, but avoid harsh midday sun.
Bright, indirect light keeps the new growth compact and green as you grow Chinese celery from cuttings.
Too little light makes the stems stretch thin and weak.
4. Wait for Roots and New Leaves
Within five to seven days, you’ll see tiny roots forming at the base.
Soon after, fresh green leaves will push up from the center.
This is the moment growing Chinese celery from cuttings really starts to feel rewarding.
5. Move It to Soil Once Roots Appear
When the roots are about an inch long, it’s time to plant.
Use a small pot with drainage holes and a light potting mix.
Bury the base just below the soil surface and water gently.
This transition is the key step in growing Chinese celery from cuttings that keeps the plant thriving long-term.
How to Care for Chinese Celery Grown From Cuttings
Once your cutting is in soil, a little care keeps it productive for months.
Here’s how to look after Chinese celery grown from cuttings:
1. Keep the Soil Consistently Moist
Chinese celery loves moisture, so never let the soil dry out completely.
Water when the top inch feels slightly dry, and keep the pot in a spot with good humidity.
2. Feed It Every Few Weeks
A diluted liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks keeps the leaves tender and flavorful.
Since you’re growing Chinese celery from cuttings, the plant relies on you for nutrients once it’s out of the water.
3. Harvest From the Outside In
Snip outer stems first and let the center keep growing.
This way, your Chinese celery from cuttings keeps producing new stalks again and again.
You can also take new cuttings from the base whenever you want to start another pot.
So, How Do You Grow Chinese Celery From Cuttings?
You grow Chinese celery from cuttings by saving the base of a fresh bunch, rooting it in shallow water, and potting it up once roots appear.
With bright light, steady moisture, and regular harvesting, that single cutting can supply you with fresh celery for months.
Growing Chinese celery from cuttings is cheap, fast, and genuinely satisfying.
Give it a try with your next bunch, and you’ll never look at those leafy bottoms the same way again.