Plant Details

Allium x cornutum, A. cepa var viviparum A. fistulosum var. bulbifera, A. cepa var. proliferum

Tree onion

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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…

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Tree onion
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Sint-jansui
French
  • Oignon perpétuel
Sources & name notes

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

General information

Scientific name: Allium x cornutum, A. cepa var viviparum A. fistulosum var. bulbifera, A. cepa var. proliferum
Botanical family: Amaryllidaceae

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

Sources [1]
Also known as: Tree onion

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.20 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
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
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

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 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.