Celery vs Kale

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Celery

Apium graveolens

Apiaceae · vegetables

EdibleHigh Maintenance

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Brassicaceae · vegetables

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Celery (Zones 2-10)

Kale (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 2–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Celery	Kale
Scientific Name	Apium graveolens	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Apiaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	vegetables	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	2'
Spread	8"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	White (small)	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Europe	Mediterranean
Maintenance	High	Low

Special Traits

Celery

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Kale

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Celery

✓Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last frost — needs light to germinate.
✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓Blanch stalks by mounding soil or using cardboard for milder flavor.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Celery if you don't mind high maintenance. It thrives in full sun with high water in zones 2–10.

Choose Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 2–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View CeleryProfile →View KaleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Celery and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Celery grows in USDA zones 2-10, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 10.

Do Celery and Kale have the same sun and water needs?

Celery needs full sun and high water, while Kale needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Celery or Kale?

Both Celery and Kale reach approximately 2' in height, with spreads of 8" and 1' 6" respectively.

Are Celery and Kale deer resistant?

Kale is deer resistant, but Celery is not. If deer are a concern, Kale is the better choice, or protect Celery with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Celery or Kale?

Celery has high maintenance while Kale has low maintenance. Kale may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Celery	Kale
Scientific Name	Apium graveolens	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Apiaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	vegetables	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	2'
Spread	8"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	White (small)	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Europe	Mediterranean
Maintenance	High	Low

Care Tips

Celery

✓Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last frost — needs light to germinate.
✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓Blanch stalks by mounding soil or using cardboard for milder flavor.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Celery if you don't mind high maintenance. It thrives in full sun with high water in zones 2–10.

Choose Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 2–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Celery and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Celery grows in USDA zones 2-10, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 2 through 10.

Do Celery and Kale have the same sun and water needs?

Celery needs full sun and high water, while Kale needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Celery or Kale?

Both Celery and Kale reach approximately 2' in height, with spreads of 8" and 1' 6" respectively.

Are Celery and Kale deer resistant?

Kale is deer resistant, but Celery is not. If deer are a concern, Kale is the better choice, or protect Celery with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Celery or Kale?

Celery has high maintenance while Kale has low maintenance. Kale may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.