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, 2025: 50%

Approximately 20-30 seeds per packet

$6.95 CAD

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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

I recommend starting these seeds 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.

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

By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.

Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.

Shipping within Canada

We ship seeds in Canada via Canada Post's regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-4 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally letter mail takes up to 6 weeks, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

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

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

Shipping to the US

UPDATE FEB 2, 2026: WE ARE TAKING A BREAK ON ACCEPTING US ORDERS DUE TO ISSUES WITH USPS

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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: Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. (List updated Aug 31, 2026)

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.

Refund Policy

Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.

Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion. We do not accept returns on seeds or plants.

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