• Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery - CicadaSeedsShop
  • Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery - CicadaSeedsShop
  • Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery - CicadaSeedsShop
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Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds

Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery

Dystaenia takesimana
Ulleung Giant Celery
  • Hardy to Zone 4
  • Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Germination Tested November 22, 2024: 50%
  • Approximately 20-30 seeds per packet
$5.50 CAD
$5.50 CAD
Sale Sold out

Expected to restock in December 2025.

Seombadi is an exciting and very cold hardy perennial vegetable from Ulleongdo Island, South Korea. The leaves and stems taste like aromatic celery and lovage, but much milder than lovage (and tastier in my opinion). The leaves are the most prolific part as the stems are much thinner than celery. The leaves are fantastic in place of celery in soups and stock throughout the winter. The chopped leaves and stems make great additions to salads, in particular potato salad.

Seombadi stays green throughout even harsh winters when few other vegetables are available to harvest, making it a valuable addition to any edible garden. 

Here's a quote from Eric Toensmeier: “Absolutely our best winter perennial vegetable. When Hablitzia is still 1" high, this one is 10" and growing fast. Comes up under snow and really our best or even only winter vegetable from early December through March. Flavor more or less like celery. Grows something like lovage but much better flavor and winter tolerance. It sailed through -15F (-26C) this winter” (Eric is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts).

These plants can grow about 6 feet tall when in flower, and the umbelliferous flowers support all sorts of beneficial insects. Other names for this plant include Ulleung Giant Celery, Korean Pig Plant, sobadi, or dwaejipul.

It seems in its native Ulleongdo Island, it is only occasionally eaten parboiled, or fermented in soy sauce or soybean paste. Its main use seems to be livestock fodder for pigs and cattle. In fact, it is said to be the favourite herb of the local cattle (yakso), which gives the meat a special "herbal fragrance." I imagine chickens, rabbits, or other livestock would enjoy it as well.

Stephen Barstow has an excellent article on his website with more information.

These seeds are grown by my friend Kim Watt of Thimble Hill Nursery in Nelson, BC. Thank you for stewarding seeds of this special plant!

Growing Instructions

These seeds lose their viability quickly, so I recommend planting them this year and not saving any. Cold stratification (30-60 days) may promote more uniform germination, but it is not necessary. Kim recommends starting them indoors around the same time as onions (Feb-early March) on bottom heat. Seeds should sprout slowly and erratically over 6 weeks. Transplant outdoors after last frost. Alternately, sow seeds outdoors in pots in February and let them naturally cold-stratify, and they will come up in the spring.

Seedlings seem to be delicate when young- try not the let them overheat. Plants grow slowly when young. Mature plants can tolerate full sun or part shade. Propagation by cuttings may be possible.

Shipping & Returns

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, and Internationally for a flat rate of $20*. Shipping costs to the US will include the cost of a phytosanitary inspection and certificate, as well as tariffs.

Live plants, bulbs, and bulbils can only be shipped within Canada. 

Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars, and may change without notice.

 

Shipping in Canada 

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.

Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.

 

Shipping to the US

Shipping charges to the US will also now include a government phytosanitary inspection and certificate. This will be bundled into the shipping cost. We ship via Canada Post, and any applicable duties will be calculated at checkout. So far (as of Sept 1, 2025), it's looking like there are no duties charged on seeds. 

Please expect delays for US shipping, as during busy times it can take up to 2 weeks for us to book a phytosanitary inspection.

 

Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page

Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option. 

 

Return Policy

If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.

Ecologically Grown

Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

View full details

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
67%
(4)
17%
(1)
17%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Bryan Harris
Postal strike no problem

Fortunately, it being winter in the UK time was not a worry however I was kept informed of delays. When the seeds are planted and germinate I will know more, meanwhile I am happy.

C
Carolyn Bateman
Korean celery seeds.

Thank you, Cicada Seeds, for selling these wonderful Korean celery seeds. I'm looking forward to now having a supply of these crisp, celery-tasting leaves as a perennial in my garden! I've tried lovage before but didn't like the taste. The Korean celery is milder and fresher tasting and so far seems more resilient to changing conditions. It will be a wonderful flavour in salads, soups and stews. What a find!

E
E Bertoia

Seombadi Korean Celery Seeds - Dystaenia takesimana - Ulleung Giant Celery

R
Robert Culshaw
Quantity

Would have liked more seeds

D
Doris Ball
Celery seed

I’m happy to rate a higher satisfaction due to the company making it right by sending me another package of seeds as the first one had broken and minimal seeds. Half of what was said would arrive. The one that was sent to replace had the right amount with much better looking seeds. As of yet they haven’t produced yet after
1 1/2 weeks though I’m sure they will!

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