How to Store Celeriac
Celeriac stores remarkably well when its knobbly roots are lifted carefully and kept cool. Harvest after the roots have reached a useful size, but before severe ground frost makes lifting uncertain. Select firm, uncut roots with dry skins, trim foliage close to the crown, and save any scratched or misshapen roots for immediate cooking.
Best storage conditions
Keep celeriac at 0 to 4 degrees C, in darkness with high humidity, around 90 per cent, and gentle air movement. A frost-free shed, garage, cellar or porch suits it if temperatures remain steady. Roots must not freeze or dry out, but stagnant wet conditions encourage rot. Keep them clear of ripening fruit and direct sun. Barely moist sand provides humidity without leaving roots sitting in water.
How long it keeps
In a box of sand, sound celeriac generally keeps for 3 to 5 months. Roots left in the ground beneath a thick straw mulch can be lifted through winter in milder areas, although wet soil or hard frost may shorten the season. Inspect stored roots weekly and use any that become soft first.
Storage methods
Lift roots with a fork, taking care not to cut the swollen base. Brush away loose soil, remove leaves to a short crown and allow surface moisture to dry before storing. Set roots in shallow boxes, crates or buckets of barely moist sand, with space between them, in a cool frost-free shed, garage or cellar. Do not wash before long storage. In mild gardens, leave plants in the ground and cover surrounding soil with straw to reduce freezing; lift before the roots become inaccessible. A small traditional clamp may also work on well-drained ground. Store only sound, unblemished roots and remove rotting ones straight away.
Preserving
Celeriac can be peeled, diced, blanched, cooled and frozen for soups, mash and gratins. It may also be roasted then frozen in portions. Pickled celeriac and chutney are useful alternatives for a surplus, while celeriac remoulade is best made fresh rather than stored. Follow a trusted recipe for pickling or bottling, and label frozen portions with the date.
Tips
Celeriac roots may look rough but should feel heavy and hard, without soft spots at the crown. Avoid cutting into roots when trimming, as wounds invite mould. Keep the sand barely moist, never sodden. If your shed fluctuates between frost and warmth, use the coldest protected garage, porch or cellar available instead.
Storing Celeriac: frequently asked questions
How do I store celeriac?
Lift roots with a fork, taking care not to cut the swollen base.
How long does celeriac keep in storage?
In a box of sand, sound celeriac generally keeps for 3 to 5 months.
What are the best conditions for storing celeriac?
Keep celeriac at 0 to 4 degrees C, in darkness with high humidity, around 90 per cent, and gentle air movement.
Store only sound, dry produce and check regularly. For bottling and preserving, follow a trusted recipe. Page updated 18 Sep 2026.