Welsh Onion (Allium fistulosum) is a reliable hardy perennial grown for its tender green leaves and white stems rather than large bulbs. Often called a bunching onion, it produces fresh growth throughout the growing season and returns year after year, making it an excellent addition to kitchen gardens and vegetable plots.
 
The mild onion flavour makes it perfect for salads, stir-fries, soups and garnishes. Plants can be harvested continuously by cutting individual stems or lifting whole clumps, while established plants can also be divided to create new plants. Attractive globe-shaped white flowers appear in summer and are highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.
 
When to Sow: February – July
 
HOW TO SOW WELSH ONION:
Sow Indoors - Sow into moist, free-draining compost approximately 10 mm deep. Keep at 15–20°C until germination. Pot on or transplant outside once seedlings are sturdy enough to handle.
 
Sow Direct - Sow thinly into a prepared bed from spring through early summer. Cover lightly with soil and keep moist until germination. Thin seedlings to their final spacing or leave in small clumps for bunching onions.
 
Classification: Hardy Perennial
Expert Level: Easy to Grow
Germination Time: 1–2 Weeks
Site: Full Sun
 
Soil Type: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil
Soil Acidity: All Types
Moisture: Moist but well-drained
 
Care: Water during prolonged dry periods and keep weed-free while establishing. Divide mature clumps every 3–4 years to maintain vigour. Harvest regularly to encourage fresh new growth.
Use: Kitchen Gardens, Vegetable Gardens, Herb Gardens, Containers
Harvesting: Harvest stems once they reach around 20–30 cm tall. Cut individual stems as required or lift entire clumps. Flower heads are also edible and attractive to pollinators.
 
Days to Maturity: 60–75 Days
Harvest Time: April – November
Height: 45–60 cm
Plant Spacing: 20–30 cm