Plant Details

Allium cepa ascalonicum

Shallot

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Allium cepa ascalonicum.

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Shallot
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Sjalot
French
  • Échalote
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Allium cepa ascalonicum
Documented crop group (RHS): Allium cepa Aggregatum Group View name reference ↗

The catalogue describes shallot. RHS places shallots in Allium cepa Aggregatum Group. This horticultural crop identity does not equate the record with the separate wild species Allium ascalonicum L. or with every onion.

Sources [2]
Botanical family: Amaryllidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Allium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Shallot

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.30 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Root, Flowers
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Cosmetic use, Dye, Repellent

Description

Bulbs: can be consumed both raw and cooked. The bulbs have a mild onion flavor and can reach a diameter of up to 6 cm. They can be added to salads, cooked as a vegetable, or used as a flavoring in soups. Leaves: edible both raw and cooked. They have a pleasant onion flavor, but it is important not to harvest them in large quantities, as this can reduce the production of the bulbs. Flowers: edible in their raw form. They can be used as a garnish on salads. The flowers are somewhat drier and less sweet compared to other types.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/06
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1169904; name ID 294888; Allium L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Horticultural Society Edible alliums
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Name heading and taxonomic status; The catalogue describes shallot. RHS places shallots in Allium cepa Aggregatum Group. This horticultural crop identity does not equate the record with the separate wild species Allium ascalonicum L. or with every onion.

    Source checked on .