Onion
Seed # 221
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 221
- Seed Name
- Onion
- Variety
- Egyptian Walking
- Category
- Vegetable
- Plant Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Plant Type
- Egyptian walking/tree onion (Allium × proliferum)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 15
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Oct 31
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- Mar 15 – Oct 31
- Transplant
- Not Applicable
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Applicable
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Applicable
- Germination Days
- Not recorded
- Harvest/Maturity
- 60–360 days perennial crop; harvest stage varies
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- Not recorded
- Planting Depth
- Plant topset bulbils approximately 1 in deep
- Plant Spacing
- 6-12 in
- Row Spacing
- 12-18 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Maintain moderate moisture during active growth
- Soil Preference
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Minimum Container Size
- in a deep roomy container
- Plant Height
- Up to 36 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Perennial
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- No
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- University of Wisconsin Extension; MSU Extension
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Usually propagated by top-set bulbils rather than true seed; plant bulbils shallowly
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Plant bulbils in early spring or late summer/early fall
Germination Time: Not typically grown from true seed; planted bulbils root and establish directly
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Green leaves can be harvested after establishment; top-set bulbils form in the following growing cycle
Container Friendly: Yes, in a deep roomy container
Pollinator Friendly: Yes when flowering/top-setting; onion flowers can attract insects
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary onion; greens, underground bulbs and top bulbils are edible
Perennial?: Yes; hardy perennial
Succession / Reusable Notes: Harvest greens repeatedly without stripping the whole plant. Divide clumps or replant bulbils to renew/expand the patch.
Zone 6B Notes: Very hardy and well suited to Zone 6B; established plants overwinter and return yearly.
Companion Plants: Carrots, lettuce, beets, brassicas and perennial herbs
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Can spread by dropping top-set bulbils and form expanding clumps. Avoid constantly wet soil.
Sources: University of Wisconsin Extension: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/egyptian-walking-onions/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/egyptian_walking_onions_what_are_these_strange-looking_plants
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Egyptian Walking onions are very cold-hardy perennial onions and are well suited to Southeast Michigan. Established clumps return each spring.
Germination: Walking onions are normally propagated from topset bulbils rather than true seed.
Harvest: Harvest tender greens like chives or scallions. Underground bulbs and aerial topsets are also edible.
Seed Saving: Propagation is primarily vegetative. Mature topset bulbils can be replanted to create genetically identical plants.
Special Care: Topsets develop on tall stalks in summer. As they become heavy, stalks bend to the ground, allowing bulbils to root and giving the plant its 'walking' habit.
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-scallions-home-gardens — Egyptian walking onion identity, Allium cepa var. proliferum classification, propagation from topsets, summer topset production and edible greens
Research Source: Burpee — https://www.burpee.com/onion-egyptian-walking-onion-prod002386.html — 36-inch mature height, full sun, direct planting and broad harvest range
Research Source: Sow True Seed — https://sowtrueseed.com/products/egyptian-walking-onions — tree/winter/perennial onion synonyms, walking growth habit and edible whole plant
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]