Growing Spring onions, also Scallions, Bunching onions, Welsh onion

Allium fistulosum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S S     S S        
    T T T     T T      
    P P     P P P      

(Best months for growing Spring onions in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: Plant close together
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans
  • Spring onions

Can be grown from 'sets' (seedlings brought on earlier). Spring onions are grown close together and harvested before fully mature.

Do not like to be too dry. Best in a sheltered, sunny spot. If you are growing onions from seed, you can use the 'thinnings' as spring onions.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Spring onions

Can be eaten raw in salads. Often used chopped and sprinkled on Asian stir-fry.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
23 Mar 24, Dot (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If you grow spring onion in a container inside, can you grow them earlier?
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Aug 23, CANDY (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
HELLO I SOW MY ONION SEEDS IN A SEED TRAY SHOULD I PLANT DIRECTLY IN A BIG CONTAINER - SORRY I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AM A RETIRED SENIOR I AM NEW TO GARDENING THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GOD BLESS YOU AMEN!
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Aug 23, Anonymous (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Plant direct into your garden.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Oct 22, Jas mine me (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ok i understand thanks.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Apr 20, Peter Minchin (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have grown spring onions from seeds for years, but mine are never as long as those I see in the shops. I have been transplanting the seedlings, when about 10cm high, into a shallow row , filling the row in and watering well. Should I be planting them like I do leeks, into a deepish hole with the leaves just extending out of this hole?
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 20, Another gardener (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I grow shallots, far easier to grow. Plant 3 bulbs together 150mm apart, good rich soil and water each day or two. Plenty of sunlight. Easiest thing to grow I reckon. You keep some bulbs from one year for the next year. If you want to stick with spring onions try what you are thinking, don't plant too deep though. Hill the soil up a bit as they grow. Make sure you have good rich soil. The plants will show you, if weak and pale green, they need some N.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Apr 20, Todd Williams (USA - Zone 6a climate)
I live in lower Missouri and have giant (5 foot) Chinese salida onion seeds. How and when do I plant them?
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Feb 20, Liam (USA - Zone 5a climate)
How much space between rows
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Feb 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can grow spring onions close together, about 8cm/4 inches between rows
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Aug 17, NIGEL (Australia - tropical climate)
IS SPRING ONION ANNUAL OR PREANNUAL (perennial?)
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 1 - 10 of 69 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Spring onions

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.