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 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • 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

Your comments and tips

13 Jul 20, Jason (Australia - temperate climate)
This reply is a few years late, but I found it's easier to grow spring onions from healthy, fully-grown ones from a fruit market. Just cut off and keep the bottom 5 to 7cm and replant. They like a fair amount of water but good drainage, so they grow well in containers, in full sun. I tried growing from store-bought seeds and seeds saved from last year, but many didn't germinate, the ones that did took a long time to grow, and the sprouts are so tiny they can get damaged/squashed when watering if you're not really careful.
24 Aug 13, ChrisW (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My spring onions have got seed pods - is it possible to grow new plants from these? And how should I harvest the seeds? The plants originated from off cuts from bunches I bought in the supermarket.
26 Aug 13, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Let the flower heads fully open, then when the tiny black seeds are just visible, cut off the whole flower head and pop it in a paper bag, leave it open in a dry place until the flower head dries. Then when dry, you can lightly crush up the flower head and collect the seeds in the bag.
19 Feb 13, Gayedygirl (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes you can cut the spring onion at soil level and it will grow again - even the shop bought ones!
18 Feb 13, stevegretton (Australia - temperate climate)
when i harvest ill the plant regrow if i just cut it off at ground leel and leave the roots intact?
15 Jan 13, Mick (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can grow the ends of all types of onions simply leave a little bit of flesh above the the root and plant in pots or garden they grow best in season but will grow any time. Use as a green onion and cut and come again.
20 May 12, vincent O'Hara (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
plant spring onions in styrene box?
06 Oct 12, Stella (Australia - temperate climate)
Yeah sure just make a few holes at the bottom for drainage
21 Mar 12, Daryl of New Giz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I agree with Tracey, even up here in the Macedon Ranges spring onions can be grown from seed during any of the warmer months SUGGEST see Chives for planting season
13 Nov 11, Tracey in Melbourne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jim, Spring onions are grown from seed, not a seed onion (I assume you mean onion set?). I notice that the Gardenate guide says to sow Aug through October in Temperate regions, but my experience (Melbourne) is that they can be sown pretty much all year round (obviously they grow faster in warmer conditions). I just put in some more seeds the other day. One thing worth knowing is that onion seed doesn't store very well, so if you have an old packet you might get poor germination.
Showing 21 - 30 of 55 comments

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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.
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