How to Grow Scallion 'White Lisbon'

Scallion 'White Lisbon'

Allium fistulosum

vegetable

'White Lisbon' is a popular bunching onion variety prized for its mild flavor, tender white bases, and long green tops. It matures quickly and produces uniform, slender bulbs ideal for fresh use and cooking. This variety is one of the most widely grown scallions in home and commercial gardens.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; tolerates partial shade

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. More frequent watering needed during hot weather and in sandy soils.

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Spacing: 2 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-75 days from seed; 40-50 days from transplant

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; set transplants so white base is slightly above soil surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced organic fertilizer (5-5-5 or similar)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-10; can be grown year-round in mild climates with succession planting

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

7-14 days germination; 3-4 weeks to thinning stage

Tiny thread-like sprouts emerge and develop first true leaves; seedlings are very delicate and narrow.

Keep soil evenly moist; thin seedlings to proper spacing when 2-3 inches tall. Provide consistent warmth (60-70°F). Avoid overwatering to prevent damping-off.

Early Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Seedlings develop multiple thin green leaves; white base remains thin and undifferentiated.

Maintain consistent moisture and remove weeds carefully to avoid damaging shallow roots. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Ensure adequate light and airflow.

Base Thickening & Maturation

3-4 weeks

White base begins to swell and differentiate from the green tops; plant develops 4-6 green leaves; characteristic scallion form becomes apparent.

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage base development rather than excessive leaf growth. Continue consistent watering. Hill soil slightly around bases if desired for whiter, longer blanched sections.

Harvest-Ready

Ready at 60-75 days; can continue harvesting for 2-4 weeks

Scallions reach 6-10 inches tall with 0.25-0.5 inch diameter white bases; tops are bright green and tender.

Begin harvesting when bunches reach desired size. Stagger harvests by pulling individual or small bundles every few days rather than entire crop at once. Continue watering and fertilizing for continued production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Carrot Beet Lettuce Spinach Cabbage Broccoli Chamomile Dill

Avoid planting near:

Beans Peas Asparagus Sage

Common Pests

Use row covers during egg-laying season (spring); apply beneficial nematodes to soil; practice crop rotation; remove and destroy infested plants
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves; maintain adequate water to reduce spider mite issues
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or copper fungicide at first sign; remove infected foliage
Plant in well-draining soil; avoid overwatering; practice 3-year crop rotation; remove infected plants; sterilize tools
and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening; use beer traps; create barriers with diatomaceous earth; encourage beneficial predators

Uses

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Fresh Raw & Cooked

Culinary

White bases provide mild onion flavor perfect for raw applications like salads, salsas, and Asian dishes, while green tops add fresh, slightly sweet herbal notes to soups, stir-fries, and garnishes. [source]

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Asian Cuisine Staple

Culinary

'White Lisbon' is essential in Asian cooking, appearing in Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese dishes as both ingredient and garnish for ramen, fried rice, dumplings, and steamed fish. [source]

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Traditional Remedies

Medicinal

Bunching onions contain beneficial compounds like quercetin and allicin, traditionally used in herbal medicine to support immune function and overall wellness. [source]

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Easy Cut-and-Come-Again Crop

Household

White Lisbon's regrowth capability makes it ideal for container gardening on windowsills, allowing repeated harvests from a single planting for several months. [source]

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Beneficial Flower Resource

Wildlife

If allowed to bolt, scallion flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects while providing ornamental interest; flowers are also edible with a delicate onion flavor. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when scallions are 6-10 inches tall and white bases are 0.25-0.5 inches in diameter, typically 60-75 days after sowing. Grasp at soil level and pull gently, or cut 1 inch above soil to allow regrowth. For continuous harvest, pick outer stalks first, allowing inner ones to mature. Morning harvest provides crispest texture. Use immediately for best flavor, or store in refrigerator in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.

Fun Facts

🌱 'White Lisbon' was developed in Lisbon, Portugal, and has been a commercial favorite since the early 1900s due to its uniform growth, reliability, and excellent flavor profile.
🌱 Unlike true onions, bunching onions like 'White Lisbon' rarely form true bulbs and are genetically adapted to produce multiple shoots from a single base, allowing perpetual harvesting.
🌱 Scallions can regrow after harvest if 1 inch of white base and roots remain in the soil; some gardeners successfully regrow them in water on windowsills for weeks.

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