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Summary

Features on our Page 'The Edible lawn' in the Habitat Section of Plant Uses.

Physical Characteristics

Allium_oleraceum is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked[2, 22]. Used as a garlic flavouring in soups etc[12, 105, 115, 177]. The bulbs are 10 - 20mm in diameter[200]. Leaves - raw or cooked. The young leaves are used as a garlic flavouring in soups and stews, but are inferior to that species[2, 61]. Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads. Used mainly as a flavouring in soups and stews[183]. Bulbils - raw or cooked.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system[K].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[20].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Seed is rarely if ever produced in Britain[17]. The plant usually produces many small bulbils in the flowering head and these can spread themselves freely around the garden[203]. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[18, 20, 54]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[201]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough. Division in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required. Bulbils can be harvested in late summer and planted out immediately.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russian Federation (Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast), Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Italy (incl. Sicily), Romania, France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Allium oleraceum	Field Garlic	Bulb	0.6	4-8		LM	N	M	3	2	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Allium_oleraceum - L.