How to Grow Alexanders
Smyrnium olusatrum
Alexanders is a hardy biennial grown as a seasonal crop. Sow in autumn or early spring in any reasonable, moist soil in a sheltered spot. It forms a leafy rosette in the first year, then sends up tall stems with yellow-green flowers in early spring of the second year. The stems, leaves, flower buds, and seeds are all edible with a flavour between celery and parsley. Blanch young stems under a bucket for extra tenderness. It self-seeds freely once established, so allow a few plants to set seed to keep the colony going without resowing each year.
In your Leaftide garden 
- Hardiness
- Hardy
- Season
- Cool Season
- Harvest
- Continuous Harvest
- Spacing
- 45 cm
- Height
- 150 cm
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Start from
- Seed
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 6 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light feeder. Incorporate compost before sowing. A top-dress of general fertiliser in spring of the second year supports strong stem growth before harvest.
- Alexanders is a robust biennial that was widely used as a pot herb before celery became common. It is particularly suited to coastal and exposed gardens. Self-seeds freely once established — allow a few plants to flower and it will naturalise reliably.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Germination temperature
- 5–15°C
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 45 cm |
| Row spacing | 60 cm |
| Mature height | 150 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 5–15°C |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Alexanders?
- Plant Alexanders 45cm apart with 60cm between rows.
- Is Alexanders frost hardy?
- Alexanders is classified as Hardy.