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(c) 2010 Ken Fern, Plants For A Future |
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(c) 2010 Ken Fern, Plants For A Future |
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Summary
Allium neapolitanum is also known as Neapolitan Garlic, Naples Garlic, Daffodil Garlic, False Garlic, Flowering Onion, Naples Onion, Guernsey Star-of-Bethlehem, Star, White Garlic, Wood Garlic and is a perennial bulbous plant in the onion subfamily. All members of this genus are, at least theoretically, edible. Their flavours range from mild onions and leeks to pungent onion and garlic. All parts of the plants are edible. The flowers have a more robust flavour than the leaves, and the young developing seed heads are even more potent. Eat the leaves and flowers in salads for a plentiful supply throughout the year. Use cooked leaves as a flavour with other vegetables in soups or use them as a cooked green. Some favourite species are listed below. Unless stated otherwise, all members of this genus require well-drained soil and a sunny position. They do not grow well with weed competition, though there are exceptions.
Allium cepa. This species includes the common onion and the charming and productive form called the Everlasting Onion. Everlasting Onions grow similarly to chives, quickly forming a large clump. The Potato Onion (A. cepa aggregatum) has strong floured leaves with a strong onion flavour. Use the flowers raw as a garnish on salads. The Egyptian Walking Onion (A. cepa proliferum) forms small edible bulbs at the top of the flowering stem. They have a strong onion flavour and are often used as pickled onions or added to salads. The Nodding Onion (A. cernuum) is an exceedingly beautiful plant, but both flowers and leaves have a delicious strong onion flavour – the flowers look lovely in a mixed salad.
The Welsh Onion (A. fistulosum) is similar to the Everlasting Onion in growth habit and flavour. Daffodil Garlic (A. neapolitanum) young leaves have a delicious sweetness followed by a moderately strong garlic flavour. Chives (A. schoenoprasum) are a very productive crop supplying mild, onion-flavoured leaves in full sun to semi-shade positions. Garlic Chives (A. tuberosum) form a slowly spreading clump; leaves have a delightful flavour, like a cross between garlic and chives. Garlic (A. sativum) leaves are edible raw or cooked, chopped and used in salads; they are relatively milder than the bulbs.
Physical Characteristics

Allium neapolitanum is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from October to July, in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
Leaves - raw or cooked. Delicious in salads, they start off being sweet and then develop a fairly strong garlic-like flavour, they are liked by most people who try them[K]. The leaves are available from late autumn until early spring and are greatly appreciated at this time of year[K]. Bulb - raw or cooked[2, 105]. Rather small but a very nice mild garlic flavour[K]. Sliced up, they make a delicious addition to salads and can also be used as a vegetable or as a flavouring in cooked foods. They are harvested in mid summer once the plant dies down and will store for 6 months or more[K]. The bulbs are 10 - 20mm in diameter[200]. Flowers - raw or cooked. Excellent in salads, making them look attractive as well as adding a strong onion flavour[K].
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
Repellent
The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[20]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Allium species produce flowers rich in nectar and pollen, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – Allium species' bulbs, leaves, and flowers are edible and provide food for humans and wildlife. The leaf litter can also provide some habitat, though they are not typically used for nesting.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
No – While Allium plants can provide some ground cover, they are not specifically known for providing significant shelter or overwintering sites for invertebrates.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
Yes – The strong aroma of Allium species can help deter pests, acting as a natural pest confuser due to their sulfur compounds.
Special Uses
Food Forest Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant, it prefers a sheltered sunny position in light, well-drained soil[1, 90]. Established plants are reasonably drought-tolerant [190]. Plants are said to be rather frost-tender [90]. They probably tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and can only be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country[200, K]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and withstand soil temperatures at least -5°c[214]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[203]. A very ornamental plant, it is sometimes grown as a decorative indoor plant[1]. There is at least one named variety, 'Grandiflorum', which has a richer display of flowers than the type[233]. In sunny weather, the flowers develop a sweet scent[245]. Plants come into new growth in late autumn and provide edible leaves throughout most winters[K]. When well-sited, plants can sometimes self-sow to the point of nuisance[190]. 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, and each species negatively affects the other[201]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever, troubled by browsing deer[233]. Alliums are typically harvested in late spring to early summer when the bulbs mature and the tops begin to yellow. Allium species typically flower in late spring to early summer, depending on the species and local climate conditions. Allium species generally have a moderate growth rate, with bulbs typically taking about 100 to 150 days from planting to harvest, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[200]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early summer. 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 on for the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late summer whilst the bulbs are dormant. Division in summer once the plant has died down. Very easy, the bulbs divide freely and can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Sinai, Syria, Turkey (west),Cyprus. EUROPE: Former Yugoslavia, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal, AFRICA: Spain, Canarias (Tenerife), Portugal, Madeira Islands, Egypt (north).
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 it’s worth checking.
Noxious Weed Information: Arkansas
(Allium
wild onion, wild garlic): Noxious weed. California
(Nothoscordum inodorum
false garlic):
B list (noxious weeds).
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Data Deficient
Related Plants
|
Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
Allium acuminatum | Hooker's Onion, Tapertip onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Allium aflatunense | Persian Onion, Ornamental Onion | Bulb | 1.0 |
4-8
| M | LM | N | M | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Allium akaka | | Bulb | 0.2 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium altaicum | | Bulb | 0.3 |
-
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium ampeloprasum | Wild Leek, Broadleaf wild leek | Bulb | 1.8 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | DM | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Allium ampeloprasum babingtonii | Babington's Leek | Bulb | 1.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Allium angulare | | Bulb | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium angulosum | Mouse Garlic | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium atropurpureum | | Bulb | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium bisceptrum | Aspen Onion, Twincrest onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
7-10
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium bodeanum | | Bulb | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium bolanderi | Bolander's Onion | Bulb | 0.2 |
6-9
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium brevistylum | Shortstyle Onion | Bulb | 0.5 |
-
| | LM | N | MWe | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium canadense | Canadian Garlic, Meadow garlic, Fraser meadow garlic, Hyacinth meadow garlic | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | MWe | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Allium canadense mobilense | Canadian Garlic | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | MWe | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Allium carinatum | Keeled Garlic | Bulb | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium carolinianum | | Bulb | 0.4 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium cepa | Onion, Garden onion | Bulb | 0.6 |
4-10
| M | LM | N | M | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Allium cepa aggregatum | Potato Onion | Bulb | 1.2 |
4-8
| M | LM | N | M | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Allium cepa ascalonicum | Shallot | Bulb | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LM | N | M | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Allium cepa proliferum | Tree Onion, Walking Onion | Bulb | 1.2 |
4-8
| M | LM | N | M | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Allium cernuum | Nodding Onion, New Mexican nodding onion | Bulb | 0.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Allium chinense | Rakkyo | Bulb | 0.3 |
6-9
| | LM | N | M | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Allium condensatum | | Bulb | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium cupanii | | Bulb | 0.3 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium douglasii | Douglas' Onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium dregeanum | Wild Onion | Bulb | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium drummondii | Prairie Onion, Drummond's onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
6-9
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Allium fistulosum | Welsh Onion | Bulb | 0.6 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Allium flavum | Small Yellow Onion, Ornamental Onion | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 1 |
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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.
Expert comment
Author
Cirillo.
Botanical References
45200
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