Plant Details

Allium cernuum

Nodding Onion, New Mexican nodding onion

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

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Common names

22 names · 19 languages
EnglishYour language
  • New Mexican nodding onion
  • Nodding Onion[1]
  • wild onion[1]
Other languages (18)
Dutch
  • Amerikaanse look
French
  • Ail penché[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • česnek převislý[1]
Danish
  • alleghenyprydløg[1]
Downriver Halkomelem
  • q̓ʷəχʷíʔəc[1]
Estonian
Finnish
  • nuokkulaukka[1]
Island Halkomelem
  • qw'uxwi'uc[1]
Ojibwe
  • Zhigaagawanzh (Cîgaga'wûnj)[1]
Russian
  • Лук склонённый[1]
Saanich
Secwepemc
Slovak
  • cesnak sklonený[1]
Spanish
  • ajo-cebolla[1]
Swedish
  • prärielök[1]
Upriver Halkomelem
Sources & name notes (1)

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

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Allium cernuum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • nodding onion — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • ajo-cebolla — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • wild onion — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • Ail penché — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • kaldlauk — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • česnek převislý — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • Zhigaagawanzh (Cîgaga'wûnj) — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • prärielök — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • alleghenyprydløg — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • Лук склонённый — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • 垂头蒜 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • 垂頭蒜 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • nuokkulaukka — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • 垂花韭 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • cesnak sklonený — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • q̓ʷəχʷíʔəc — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • st'exut — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • qw'uxwi'uc — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • SḴEX̱ — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.
  • qwléwe — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 116364; Allium cernuum.

General information

Scientific name: Allium cernuum
Accepted name (Kew): Allium cernuum Roth View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Amaryllidaceae

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

Sources [1]
Also known as: Nodding Onion, New Mexican nodding onion
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.15–0.61 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 0.1–0.3 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [2]
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Arching, Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
High Organic Matter
Sources [2]
pH:
Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Root, Flowers
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
None

Description

Spring onion - edible in both raw and cooked forms. This strongly scented bulb is mainly used as a flavoring. The bulb is about 50 mm long and 15 mm wide. Onion leaves - suitable for eating raw or cooked. With a delicious, strong onion-like flavor, they are an excellent addition to salads. These leaves are available from spring to autumn and are among the favorite ingredients of the local cuisine in Cornwall. Flowers - can be consumed in both raw and cooked forms. They have a delightful strong onion-like flavor, slightly more intense than the leaves, especially when the seeds begin to form. The flowers are both decorative and tasty, making a beautiful addition to salads.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/07
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 familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1169904; name ID 294888; Allium L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 254033; name ID 295267; Allium cernuum Roth.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Allium cernuum — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .