How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Walking Onions

Walking onions are almost mystical garden edibles. Unlike other onion varieties, they almost appear to walk as they mature. 

When these onions grow, they produce top-heavy bulbils at the tops of their stems. When they become too heavy, they flop over, making the plants appear like they’re walking. 

Some gardeners call them Egyptian onions because of their ties to ancient societies. They’re actually a cross between the common Allium cepa and Allium fistulosum varieties of onions. Like their parents, walking onions are extremely flavorful and easy to grow. 

Characteristics

Walking onions are large, edible perennial plants from the Allium genus. They grow up to 2 feet tall on hollow green stalks. 

What makes them unique are the bulbils that grow at the ends of their primary stalks. When they reach a certain height and maturity, they topple over. When the bulbils connect with the soil, they send out roots and new growth that become individual plants. 

Because they’re self-propagating, they’re arguably among the easiest crops to grow in your garden. They’ll handle extreme cold and last through the winter in many locations. 

Although gardeners in the U.S. have been growing them since the mid-19th century, their history dates back to ancient civilizations. Because of their easy-growing habits, they were easy vegetables to travel with. 

Native Area

These hardy vegetables likely originated in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. People brought them as they migrated to new regions, such as North Africa and Europe. 

Records show they’ve been growing in the US since the Victorian era. They’re still a novelty crop for most gardeners. However, more and more people are falling in love with them. 

You can grow an abundance of self-propagating walking onions in climate zones 3 through 10. They’ll handle just about any weather, from snow and ice to balmy hot summer days. 

Planting

Walking onions will thrive in short garden beds like these and a variety of containers. They have shallow root systems and need very little maintenance to grow. 

If you live near a large, south-facing window, you can grow them indoors. However, the more space they have to self-propagate by ‘walking, ’ the better. 

Plant each bulbil in about an inch of soil. Space each one about 4 to 5 inches apart and give them a thorough watering. 

Give each young plant about 4 to 5 inches of space. Make sure the soil is well-draining and keeps up with a consistent watering schedule. 

Growing From Seed

Although the best way to grow walking onions is by planting their bulbils, you can grow them by seed. However, like other onion varieties, it can be difficult for novice gardeners. 

Plant the seeds in well-drained, loamy soil from spring through fall. Make sure the seeds are less than a year old. Give them consistent water and nutrients to thrive. 

How to Grow

Growing and maintaining these aromatic plants is easy. As long as you have full sun, nutrient-rich soil, and live in zones 3 or higher, you’ll have a fantastic crop. 

Light

Walking onions need full sun to flourish. Aim for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light. They won’t put on healthy growth unless they have enough light. 

You’ll see your onions put on the most growth when the daylight hours increase in summer. This is the perfect time to start harvesting and letting some of the stems self-propagate. 

If you’re growing them indoors, plant them near a south-facing window with bright, direct light. You can also try growing them under grow lights. This is a great way to enjoy these unique alliums, even in apartments or tight spaces with few windows. 

Water

Water your plants regularly, and make sure the soil drains properly. Let the top layer of soil dry out before watering again. 

Monitor your plants to see signs of overwatering. Check the soil to make sure it’s not completely soggy. Give them more water in drought conditions and high heat. Otherwise, water about once every week. 

Soil

Walking onions prefer well-drained, nutrient-dense soil. Look for a mixture that’s slightly sandy and loamy. Amend the soil with plenty of compost to increase the nutrient density before planting. 

Before you plant them, loosen the top layer and work compost deep inside. Give the soil a little moisture to keep it moist before planting. 

Temperature and Humidity

These amazing onions can handle a variety of climates. However, they perform best in areas with low heat and cooler temperatures. 

Once they’re established, they can survive freezing temperatures and even snow. Once established, you can harvest them well into the winter in milder climates. 

When the temperatures consistently get below freezing, the plants will enter their dormant phase. The leaves will die back and new growth will appear in spring. 

Fertilizing

Give your plants plenty of compost during planting. Use an organic plant food such as this one to get the plants all the nutrients they need to flourish. This extra burst of nutrients before planting will help your plants put on tons of growth through the growing season. 

Afterward, amend your soil with organic plant feed once a month. Bone meal is an excellent organic plant food. It’s a slow-release fertilizer that works into the soil every time you water your plants. 

Maintenance

Walking onions are incredibly low-maintenance vegetables. As their stems grow, you can harvest some and let others fall over and self-propagate. 

Keep weeds out by hand or apply a thin layer of mulch under your onions. This is especially helpful in areas with long droughts. Mulch will trap moisture, keeping the soil fresh and preserving the ecosystem below the soil. 

Propagation

Other than their flavor and easy growing habits, the best thing about growing these vegetables is their self-propagation. All you have to do is let them ‘walk, ’ and you’ll enjoy new plants throughout the growing season. 

Division

You can divide each separate bulbil into a new plant. Once they reach the soil, give them time for their roots to take hold. Once you see new growth, the new plants are ready for division. 

Carefully separate them from the mother plant’s stems. Be careful not to disrupt their delicate root ball. Plant them in containers or new garden beds with well-drained soil. 

These plants are incredibly easy to divide and give away as gifts to other gardeners. Because of this, they make a wonderful addition to any survival garden. 

Harvesting 

Harvesting is the best time to enjoy these delicious plants. You can harvest them throughout the growing season. 

Instead of bulbous onions, treat them as leafy greens. The bulbils are also delicious steamed or sauteed. I love using the bulbils in pickles or deep frying as tempura. 

After harvesting, store them in the refrigerator, and eat them after a few days. Like green onions, they’re best eaten freshly picked from the plant. 

Storage

If you’re harvesting bulbils to plant later, wait until their skin turns brown in late summer. After separating them, let them cure in a cool, dry place with plenty of ventilation. It may take a few days to a few weeks for them to dry out completely. 

Afterward, you can store them away for several months. Keep them in mesh bags with good circulation. It helps to hang them in a basement, closet, or attic with little to no light until the next planting season. 

Common Problems

The most common problems for walking onions are soggy soils. Like other Allium species, they don’t respond well to consistently wet conditions. 

Avoid planting these onions too close to each other. They grow best when they have at least 5 inches between them. With enough space, they grow tall and put on their signature stems that appear to walk through your garden. 

Pests

Walking onions are considered pest-resistant and resilient to diseases. However, there are still common critters to watch out for. They can become plagued by common pests that attack other onion species. 

Most of all, watch out for onion maggots. Flies will lay their eggs in the soil and infect the bulbils. Once infected, it’s hard to save your crops. You’ll have to remove the infested foliage and throw it away to prevent further spread. 

Thrips are other common pests that can ravage your crops. You’ll see whitish patches and streaks on the leaves. If you see an infestation, you can try using an organic pesticide such as neem oil to help. 

The best way to control harmful pests in your garden is by cultivating an ecosystem with diverse plantings that support beneficial critters such as lady beetles, wasps, and small birds. These creatures will consume most tiny predators before they lay waste in your garden. 

Diseases

Watch out for common onion diseases on your plants. For walking onions, downy mildew and fusarium basal rot are the most common. 

Downy mildew appears as a fuzzy white growth on the leaves of your plants. It can block out light for photosynthesis and stunt the growth of your plants over time. The best way to prevent it from forming is by keeping your plants aerated and watering from below. 

The soil-borne fusarium basal rot is another fungal disease that can harm your crops. The effects include stunted growth and cause yellowing and browning leaves. Prevent this disease by following good soil care. Disinfect all your gardening equipment before planting to stop the introduction of these harmful diseases.