How To Harvest Celery Leaves

You can harvest celery leaves at any stage of growth, and they’re just as edible as the stalks themselves.
 
Whether you’re growing celery in a garden bed or picking up a bunch from the grocery store, those leafy tops are packed with flavor and nutrients.
 
Many people toss celery leaves in the trash without realizing they’re missing out on one of the most versatile parts of the plant.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to harvest celery leaves the right way, when to pick them, and how to store them so nothing goes to waste.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Harvest Celery Leaves the Right Way

Harvesting celery leaves is simple once you know what you’re doing, and here’s how to get it right every time.
 

1. Pick From the Outside First

When you harvest celery leaves, always start with the outer stalks.
 
These are the oldest and most mature, so removing them encourages new growth in the center of the plant.
 
If you’re working with a store-bought bunch, the outer leaves are usually the ones that wilt first anyway, so using them up makes perfect sense.
 

2. Use Clean Scissors or Pruners

To harvest celery leaves without damaging the plant, grab a pair of sharp, clean scissors or garden pruners.
 
Snip the leaf stems about an inch away from the main stalk.
 
This keeps the plant healthy and makes it easy to harvest celery leaves again in the future.
 

3. Harvest Celery Leaves in the Morning

The best time to harvest celery leaves is in the early morning.
 
That’s when the leaves are crisp, hydrated, and full of natural oils that give them their fresh, peppery taste.
 
If morning doesn’t work for you, evening is the next best option, but avoid the hottest part of the day.
 

4. Don’t Strip the Whole Plant

When you harvest celery leaves, never take more than a third of the plant at once.
 
The remaining leaves need to keep photosynthesizing so the stalks can continue growing.
 
A good rule of thumb is to harvest celery leaves a little at a time, every week or so, rather than all at once.
 

When to Harvest Celery Leaves

Knowing when to harvest celery leaves makes a big difference in flavor and texture, so here’s what to look for.
 

1. Wait Until the Plant Is Established

If you’re growing celery, wait until the plant has at least five or six healthy stalks before you harvest celery leaves.
 
Young seedlings need all their leaves to build strong roots and sturdy stems.
 
Once the plant is established, you can harvest celery leaves freely without slowing its growth.
 

2. Harvest Celery Leaves Before They Turn Yellow

The best leaves to harvest celery leaves from are bright green and firm.
 
Once they start turning yellow or brown, they’re past their prime and won’t taste nearly as good.
 
Keep an eye on your plant and harvest celery leaves while they’re still vibrant and crisp.
 

3. Pick Leaves Before the Plant Bolts

Celery tends to bolt in hot weather, which means it sends up a flower stalk and the leaves turn bitter.
 
If you want to harvest celery leaves at their best, pick them before the plant starts bolting.
 
Once bolting begins, the flavor changes dramatically, and the leaves become tough and unpleasant.
 

How to Store Celery Leaves After You Harvest Them

Once you harvest celery leaves, you’ll want to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
 

1. Wrap Them in a Damp Paper Towel

After you harvest celery leaves, pat them dry and wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel.
 
Then place the bundle inside a sealed plastic bag or container.
 
This keeps the leaves from drying out and helps them last up to a week in the fridge.
 

2. Freeze Them for Long-Term Storage

If you harvest celery leaves faster than you can use them, freezing is a great option.
 
Just chop the leaves, spread them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid.
 
Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to six months.
 

3. Dry Them for Pantry Storage

Another way to preserve the leaves you harvest celery for is by drying them.
 
Hang small bunches in a cool, dark spot or use a dehydrator on low heat.
 
Once fully dry, crumble the leaves and store them in an airtight jar, where they’ll stay flavorful for months.
 

So, How Do You Harvest Celery Leaves?

You harvest celery leaves by snipping the outer leaves first with clean scissors, ideally in the morning when they’re freshest.
 
Wait until the plant is well established, and never take more than a third at a time so it keeps growing strong.
 
Once you harvest celery leaves, store them in a damp paper towel, freeze them, or dry them to enjoy that fresh celery flavor anytime.
 
Now you know exactly how to harvest celery leaves, so nothing on your celery plant ever goes to waste again.