Allium x cornutum, A. cepa var viviparum A. fistulosum var. bulbifera, A. cepa var. proliferum
Tree onion
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Allium x cornutum, A. cepa var viviparum A. fistulosum var. bulbifera, A. cepa…
Common names
3 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Tree onion
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Sint-jansui
- French
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- Oignon perpétuel
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
General information
Kew's family placement for the genus Allium (WCVP v16).
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Full sun
Uses
Leaves, Root
Dye, Cosmetic use, Repellent
Description
This plant produces small bulbs at the end of the flower stem that can be eaten or cooked. They have a strong onion flavor and are often used as pickled onions or added to salads. It is important to harvest the bulbs when they are well dried in order to store them. The bulbs can be eaten both raw and cooked. They can grow up to 4 cm in diameter and have a distinct onion aroma. When sliced, they make a tasty addition to salads and can also be used as a vegetable or flavoring in warm dishes. The leaves of this plant can also be eaten raw or cooked and have a strong onion flavor. They add a pleasant taste to salads, but it is important not to harvest them in large quantities as this can reduce the yield of the bulbs. The leaves are available from late autumn, but it is important to avoid harvesting them at a time when diseases like powdery mildew are encouraged.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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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.