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Summary
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 cernuum is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from February to December, in flower from June to July. 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), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
Bulb - raw or cooked[2, 22, 161]. Strongly flavoured[46, 61, 159], it is mainly used as a flavouring[183, K]. The bulb is about 50mm tall and 15mm wide[235]. Leaves - raw or cooked[62, 85, 159]. A delicious, strong-onion flavour, they are very nice in salads[K]. The leaves are available from spring until the autumn and are one of the most favourite onions we are growing on our Cornish trial grounds[K]. Flowers - raw or cooked. A delicious strong onion flavour, somewhat stronger than the leaves especially if the seeds are starting to set[K]. They make a very decorative and tasty addition to the salad bowl[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.
Lithontripic Poultice
The whole plant has mild medicinal activity similar to the action of garlic (Allium sativum)[222]. It is used specifically as a poultice on the chest for the treatment of respiratory ailments and the juice has been used in the treatment of kidney stones[222]. The juice of the plant is used in treating colds, croup, sore throats etc[257]. A poultice of the plant is applied externally to various infections such as sore throats, sores, swellings, chest and pleurisy pains[257].
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]. The juice can be applied to exposed skin to repel biting insects[257]. 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 it is 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
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant[203], it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in clay soils[203]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[190]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[233]. A very ornamental plant, it makes a very decorative edging to flower beds[K]. This species is self-sowing quite freely in our Cornwall garden[K]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[203], though this species has tolerated considerable neglect in our Cornwall garden[K]. The cultivar 'Major' is a more vigorous form with larger flower clusters[90]. 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]. A widespread and very variable species[1]. It is closely allied to A. stellatum[1, 270]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is a bulb. 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
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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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, United States, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Mexico, Coahuila de Zaragoza,
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
| 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 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
| F | 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
Roth.
Botanical References
43200
Links / References
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