Alliums
44 open-pollinated and heirloom varieties with days to harvest and difficulty. Each links to its full growing record — sowing window, spacing, soil pH and pest notes.
All 44 alliums
44 alliums — 26 heirloom, 15 hybrid and 3 open-pollinated. Days to harvest run from 50 days (Dash) to 240-270 days (Elephant Garlic). Germination takes 7–21 days. Allium is insect-pollinated, so seed stays true with 800 m–1.6 km (2,625–5,249 ft) of separation.
| Variety | Harvest | Germinates | Spacing | Height | Size | pH | Seed | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ailsa Craig Sweet OnionAllium cepa 'Ailsa Craig' | 110-120days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 4-6 inches diameter, 1-3 pounds | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Moderate to challenging |
| BanditAllium porrum | 120days | 10-14 daysdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | — | — | Heirloom | Easy |
| BikerAllium porrum | 90days | 7-10 daysdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | — | — | Hybrid | Easy |
| Candy OnionAllium cepa | 100-110days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches diameter, medium to large | 6.2-6.8 | Hybrid | Easy to moderate |
| ComancheAllium porrum | 105days | 7-14 daysdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | — | — | Hybrid | Easy |
| Common ChivesAllium schoenoprasum | 75-85days | 10-14days | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 1/8 inch diameter leaves, 8-12 inches tall | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| ConservorAllium cepa var. aggregatum | 110days | —days | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | — | — | Hybrid | Easy |
| Copra OnionAllium cepa 'Copra' | 104-110days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches diameter | 6.2-6.8 | Hybrid | Easy |
| DashAllium fistulosum x cepa | 50days | 7-10 daysdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | — | — | Hybrid | Easy |
| Elephant GarlicAllium ampeloprasum | 240-270days | 14-30days | 0.2–0.25 m8–10 in | 0.91–1.2 m3–4 ft | 3-5 inch diameter bulbs, individual cloves 1-2 inches | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Evergreen Hardy WhiteAllium fistulosum | 65days | 7-14days | 0.05–0.1 m2–4 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | Pencil-thick stems, 12-18 inches useable length | 6.0-7.5 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Evergreen White Bunching OnionAllium fistulosum 'Evergreen White' | 60-70days | 7-14days | 0.05–0.08 m2–3 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | 6-8 inches long, pencil-thick stems | 6.0-7.5 | Heirloom | Easy |
| French Gray ShallotAllium cepa var. aggregatum 'French Gray' | 90-120days | N/A - grown from bulb setsdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 1-2 inches diameter, 6-12 bulbs per cluster | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy to moderate |
| Garlic ChivesAllium tuberosum | 80-90days | 14-21days | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.15–0.1 m6–4 in | Leaves 12-18 inches long, 1/4 inch wide | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Georgia Fire GarlicAllium sativum 'Georgia Fire' | 240-270days | 14-21days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-3 inch diameter bulbs with 8-12 cloves | 6.0-7.0 | Open-pollinated | Easy |
| German Extra Hardy GarlicAllium sativum var. ophioscorodon 'German Extra Hardy' | 240-270days | 14-21 (spring emergence)days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-2.5 inches diameter, 4-6 cloves per bulb | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Giant MusselburghAllium ampeloprasum var. porrum 'Giant Musselburgh' | 120-150days | 10-21days | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.91–1.2 m3–4 ft | Up to 3 inches diameter, 12-18 inches white stem length | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Moderate |
| Giant Red BeardAllium hollandicum 'Giant Red Beard' | 90-120days | 21-28days | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.61–0.76 m24–30 in | 6-inch diameter flower heads on 3-4 foot stems | 6.0-8.0 | Hybrid | Easy |
| Inchelium Red Softneck GarlicAllium sativum var. sativum 'Inchelium Red' | 240-270days | 14-21 (sprouting)days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-3 inches diameter, 12-20 cloves per bulb | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy to Moderate |
| InnovatorAllium cepa var. aggregatum | 110days | 7-14 daysdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | — | — | Hybrid | Easy |
| Italian Red Torpedo OnionAllium cepa 'Italian Red Torpedo' | 95-110days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.13 m4–5 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches long, 2-3 inches wide | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Moderate |
| Japanese Bunching OnionsAllium fistulosum | 65days | 7-14days | 0.05–0.08 m2–3 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | Pencil-thick to 3/4 inch diameter stems | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| JumperAllium porrum | 95days | —days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | — | — | Hybrid | Easy |
| King RichardAllium porrum | 75days | 7-14 daysdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | — | — | Heirloom | Easy |
| MegatonAllium porrum | 90days | 7-10 daysdays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | — | — | Hybrid | Easy |
| Music Hardneck GarlicAllium sativum var. ophioscorodon 'Music' | 240-270days | 14-21days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-3 inch diameter bulbs, 4-6 large cloves per bulb | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Purple de Lautrec ShallotAllium cepa var. aggregatum 'Purple de Lautrec' | 90-110days | 14-21days | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-3 inches long, elongated | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Moderate |
| Purple Sensation AlliumAllium giganteum 'Purple Sensation' | —days | 21-28 (seeds), bulbs sprout in springdays | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.3–1.8 m1–6 ft | 4-6 inch diameter flower globes | 6.0-8.0 | Hybrid | Easy |
| Purple Top Walla WallaAllium cepa 'Purple Top Walla Walla' | 125-300days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-5 inches diameter, 8-16 oz | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Moderate |
| PurpletteAllium cepa | 60days | 7-14days | 0.03–0.05 m1–2 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 1-1.5 inches diameter, pearl onion size | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Red Baron ShallotsAllium cepa var. aggregatum 'Red Baron' | 90-120days | 14-21 from seeddays | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-3 inches long, 6-8 bulbs per cluster | 6.0-7.0 | Hybrid | Moderate |
| Red Burgundy OnionAllium cepa 'Red Burgundy' | 100-110days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.13 m4–5 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2.5-3.5 inches diameter | 6.0-6.8 | Heirloom | Easy to moderate |
| Red Burgundy ShallotAllium cepa var. aggregatum 'Red Burgundy' | 90-110days | 14-21days | 0.15–0.2 m6–8 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 1.5-2.5 inches diameter | 6.0-7.0 | Open-pollinated | Easy |
| Red Carpet ChivesAllium schoenoprasum 'Red Carpet' | 75-90days | 14-21days | 0.2–0.3 m8–12 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | Individual flowers 1/2 inch, in rounded clusters | 6.0-7.0 | Open-pollinated | Very easy |
| Red Wing Storage OnionAllium cepa 'Red Wing' | 110-120days | 8-12days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches diameter, 6-10 oz | 6.0-7.0 | Hybrid | Easy to Moderate |
| Rossa di MilanoAllium cepa | 100days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches diameter, medium size | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy to moderate |
| Siberian GarlicAllium sativum var. ophioscorodon 'Siberian' | 240-270days | 14-21days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-2.5 inches diameter, 8-12 cloves per bulb | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Spanish Roja GarlicAllium sativum var. ophioscorodon 'Spanish Roja' | 240-270days | 21-30days | 0.15 m6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 2-2.5 inches diameter, 8-12 cloves per bulb | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| StuttgartAllium cepa 'Stuttgart' | 110-120days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches diameter, medium to large | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Vidalia OnionAllium cepa 'Vidalia' | 110-120days | 7-10days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches diameter, 8-12 oz | 6.0-6.8 | Hybrid | Moderate |
| Walla Walla Sweet OnionAllium cepa | 125-140days | 10-15days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 4-6 inches diameter, 8-16 oz | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Moderate |
| White Lisbon Bunching OnionAllium fistulosum 'White Lisbon' | 60-120days | 7-10days | 0.03–0.05 m1–2 in | 0.3–0.91 m1–3 ft | 1/2 inch diameter stems, 12-18 inches tall | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
| Yellow Granex OnionAllium cepa 'Yellow Granex' | 110-120days | 7-12days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-4 inches diameter | 6.0-7.0 | Hybrid | Easy |
| Yellow Sweet Spanish OnionAllium cepa 'Yellow Sweet Spanish' | 110-120days | 7-14days | 0.1–0.15 m4–6 in | 0.3–0.46 m12–18 in | 3-5 inches diameter, 8-16 oz | 6.0-7.0 | Heirloom | Easy |
Spacing and height are given in metres with feet or inches beneath. Click a column heading to sort; harvest and germination are the lowest figure in each published range. Working out how far apart two varieties must be to save seed true · download the whole dataset.
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