How to Grow Walking Onion
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Walking Onion
Allium × proliferum
vegetableWalking onions are a unique perennial allium that produces small bulblets at the end of hollow stems instead of seeds. These top-set bulblets naturally bend down to touch the soil, taking root and creating new plants that appear to "walk" across the garden. They're hardy, self-propagating, and produce edible small bulbs and green tops.
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Example Walking Onion timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Walking Onion
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Walking Onion
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Walking Onion dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; extremely cold-hardy perennial
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Bulblet Establishment
2-4 weeks after plantingNew bulblets from previous season's stems root into soil and send up green shoots. Small white roots develop at the base.
Ensure soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Light mulch (1 inch) helps retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksGreen hollow stems and thin onion-like leaves emerge and elongate. Plant gains height and leaf mass.
Water regularly during dry spells. Apply compost-based fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Remove any flower buds if present to direct energy to bulblet formation.
Stem Extension
6-10 weeksHollow stems grow 12-24 inches tall. Stems thicken slightly at the base where the bulb develops underground.
Continue regular watering. Stems may need staking in windy areas. Monitor for pests and disease.
Bulblet Formation
4-6 weeksSmall bulblets (about 1/2 to 1 inch diameter) form and cluster at the top of the stem. Stem tips curve downward under weight.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; increase potassium to support bulblet development. As stems naturally arch, ensure they can contact soil.
Rooting & Self-Propagation
3-4 weeks until new growthTop-set bulblets touch soil and develop their own root systems. New plantlets establish nearby. Original bulb remains in soil for next season.
Gently cover rooting bulblets with 1/2 inch of soil if needed to encourage establishment. Allow them to root naturally for self-propagation.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers during spring; remove affected bulblets; encourage beneficial parasitic wasps; maintain good drainage to reduce egg laying habitat
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Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity with misting; remove heavily infested plants; reflective mulch can deter
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Practice crop rotation; avoid overwatering; ensure excellent drainage; remove and destroy infected bulbs; don't compost diseased material
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or copper fungicide; remove infected foliage promptly
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and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening; use beer traps; remove debris and mulch where they hide; encourage natural predators like ground beetles
Uses
Mild onion flavor for cooking and fresh eating
CulinaryWalking onion bulbs offer a milder, sweeter flavor than storage onions, perfect for fresh eating, pickling, or light cooking. The green tops are edible like scallions and can be used in soups, salads, and garnishes. [source]
Sustainable home production
CulinaryWalking onions are self-perpetuating perennials that require minimal input once established, making them ideal for permaculture gardens and long-term food production without replanting. [source]
Natural pest deterrent
HouseholdThe strong sulfur compounds in allium plants act as natural repellents for many garden pests and can be used in companion planting to protect nearby vegetables. [source]
Traditional immune and digestive support
MedicinalWalking onions contain allicin and other sulfur compounds traditionally used to support immune function and digestive health, similar to other onion and garlic varieties. [source]
Beneficial insect attraction
WildlifeWalking onion flowers (if allowed to bloom) attract pollinating bees and beneficial insects, supporting garden biodiversity and natural pest control. [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 small bulbs underground by gently digging around the plant base from mid-summer onward without damaging the roots. Harvest green tops anytime during the growing season by cutting outer stems 2 inches above soil. Allow some bulblets to mature and fall naturally to self-propagate. In late fall, bulblets can be harvested and stored in a cool, dry place for winter planting. The original perennial bulb remains in the ground and will regenerate the following year.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Walking onions earned their name because the weight of bulblets at the stem tips causes them to bend down and root in the soil, creating new plants that appear to 'walk' across the garden over several seasons.
- 🌱 These plants are believed to be a hybrid between common onions (Allium cepa) and Egyptian onions, and they reproduce vegetatively rather than by seed, making each plant genetically identical to its parent.
- 🌱 Walking onions have been grown for centuries and were particularly popular in medieval European and Victorian gardens; they were nearly lost to modern agriculture but are experiencing a revival among heirloom and permaculture gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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