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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Allium porrum is a BULB growing to 0.9 m (3ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
The leaves and long white blanched stem are eaten cooked[2, 16, 37, 183]. They can also be cut into thin slices and be added to salads[183]. A mild onion flavour with a delightful sweetness[183, K]. Bulb - raw or cooked. The bulb is produced in the plants second year of growth (that is, after it is normally harvested). The bulb is somewhat larger if the plant is prevented from flowering[K]. Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads, though they are rather on the dry side and less pleasant than many other members of the genus[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.
Anthelmintic Antiasthmatic Anticholesterolemic Antiseptic Antispasmodic Cholagogue Diaphoretic Diuretic
Expectorant Febrifuge Stimulant Stings Stomachic Tonic Vasodilator
This species has the same medicinal virtues as garlic, but in a much milder and less effective form[238]. These virtues are as follows:- Garlic has a very long folk history of use in a wide range of ailments, particularly ailments such as ringworm, Candida and vaginitis where its fungicidal, antiseptic, tonic and parasiticidal properties have proved of benefit[218]. It is also said to have anticancer activity[218]. Daily use of garlic in the diet has been shown to have a very beneficial effect on the body, especially the blood system and the heart. For example, demographic studies suggest that garlic is responsible for the low incidence of arteriosclerosis in areas of Italy and Spain where consumption of the bulb is heavy[222]. The bulb is said to be anthelmintic, antiasthmatic, anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator[4, 9, 14, 21, 46, 165]. The crushed bulb may be applied as a poultice to ease the pain of bites, stings etc[4, 9, 14, 21].
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].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1] but succeeds in most soils[16]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers an open situation[1, 37]. Does best in a soil that was well fed for a previous crop[1]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 8.3. The leek is a widely cultivated vegetable, there are many named varieties[183]. Young plants are often planted quite deeply in the soil (8 - 10cm deep) in order to blanch the lower stem, it is also a common practice to earth up the growing plants in order to blanch right the way up the stems. Whilst this does make the stems more tender, it also results in a loss of minerals and vitamins. Although commonly treated as a biennial, this plant is a true perennial, perennating by means of small lateral growths and often developing a roundish bulb at the base of the main growth[1]. A relatively slow-growing plant, it can be interplanted with faster maturing species such as lettuces[201]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, celery, celariac, 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
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - for an early crop, or for larger plants, sow the seed in early spring in a greenhouse and plant out in May. For smaller or later plants, sow April in an outdoor seedbed and plant out as space permits in July or even August.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
Coming Soon
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.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| 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
| | LM | N | M | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Allium cepa aggregatum | Potato Onion | Bulb | 1.2 |
4-8
| | 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
| | 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
L.
Botanical References
200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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