Celery is a biennial herbaceous species belonging to the Apiaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region, and known as a medicinal plant since the time of Homer. In its wild state ("wild celery"), it is part of the native Italian flora, found up to about 1500 meters above sea level.

However, today it is more commonly encountered in cultivated form or as a spontaneous growth resulting from cultivated crops. Wild celery seems to be entirely absent from Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta regions.

In addition to Italy, wild celery is native to countries in the Mediterranean basin and almost all of central and southern Europe, as well as a vast region in Asia from the Middle East to China. Although the typical horticultural cycle for celery is 6-7 months, in some cases, it can be biennial and allowed to go to seed. The planting density is 7 plants per square meter.