Pollinator plant

Garden onion

Allium cepa

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Common names

60 names · 45 languages
EnglishYour language
+6 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (44)
Dutch
French
Arabic
  • بصل شائع[2]
Armenian
  • Գլուխ սոխ[2]
Cherokee
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • cibule kuchyňská[2]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik sibul[2]
  • söögisibul[2]
Finnish
  • ruokasipuli[2]
German
Hebrew
  • בצל הגינה[2]
Huichol
Hungarian
  • Vöröshagyma[2]
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
  • タマネギ[2]
Korean
Laadan
Lithuanian
  • Valgomasis svogūnas[2]
Mayan languages
Norwegian
Nyduka
Otomi
Palauan
Polish
Portuguese
Purepecha
Romani
Russian
  • Лук репчатый[2]
Santali
  • ᱯᱮᱭᱟᱡᱽ[2]
Selete
Sengwaketse
Sinhala
  • ලොකු ළූණු[2]
Slovak
  • cibuľa kuchynská[2]
Spanish
Swedish
Tagalog
Thai
  • หอมใหญ่[2]
Tswana
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Цибуля городня[2]
Upriver Halkomelem
Sources & name notes (3)

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

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

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

[1] Allium cepa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • garden onion — results[1].names[24]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Ui — results[1].names[27]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Oignon — results[1].names[9]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Common Onion — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Gemeine Zwiebel — results[1].names[20]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Bulb Onion — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cebolla — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cebolla cabezona — results[1].names[30]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cipolla — results[1].names[31]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cebola — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
[2] Allium cepa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • garden onion — results[1].names[24]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Ui — results[1].names[27]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Oignon — results[1].names[9]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Common Onion — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Gemeine Zwiebel — results[1].names[20]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Bulb Onion — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cebolla — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cebolla cabezona — results[1].names[30]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cipolla — results[1].names[31]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cebola — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • cucut — results[1].names[3]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • denchi — results[1].names[4]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • tsurúpsi — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • uyuri — results[1].names[6]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Bawang — results[1].names[8]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • cibule kuchyňská — results[1].names[11]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • harilik sibul — results[1].names[12]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • söögisibul — results[1].names[14]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • kepaløk — results[1].names[15]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Лук репчатый — results[1].names[16]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • ruokasipuli — results[1].names[17]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Valgomasis svogūnas — results[1].names[18]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • タマネギ — results[1].names[19]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • kepalök — results[1].names[21]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • matlök — results[1].names[22]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • lök — results[1].names[23]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • ලොකු ළූණු — results[1].names[25]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • 洋葱 — results[1].names[26]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Գլուխ սոխ — results[1].names[28]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • bremeda — results[1].names[29]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • soğan — results[1].names[32]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • بصل شائع — results[1].names[33]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • 양파 — results[1].names[34]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • 洋蔥 — results[1].names[35]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Sebulias — results[1].names[36]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • kepaløg — results[1].names[37]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • หอมใหญ่ — results[1].names[38]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Цибуля городня — results[1].names[39]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Vöröshagyma — results[1].names[40]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • ayun — results[1].names[41]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • ᱯᱮᱭᱟᱡᱽ — results[1].names[42]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Czosnek cebula — results[1].names[43]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Cebula — results[1].names[44]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • ᏒᎩ — results[1].names[45]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • בצל הגינה — results[1].names[46]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Porum — results[1].names[47]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • kwii — results[1].names[48]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • kwii — results[1].names[49]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • segwere — results[1].names[50]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • cibuľa kuchynská — results[1].names[51]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • Sibuyas — results[1].names[52]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • 'uniyuls — results[1].names[53]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • 葱头 — results[1].names[54]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
  • 皮芽子 — results[1].names[55]; taxon id 48592; Allium cepa.
[3] Allium cepa — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Green onion — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium cepa.
  • Onion — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium cepa.
  • Onions — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium cepa.
  • Scallion — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium cepa.
  • Shallot — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium cepa.
  • Spring onion — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium cepa.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Allium cepa is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Amaryllidaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.3–0.46 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.15–0.3 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Arching; Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Allium species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable. Plants must be allowed to flower.

Sources [3] [4]
Native range
Cultigen. Recorded cultivated origin: C. Asia. No independently established wild native range is assigned.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [5]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High

Solitary wild bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Vegetable
Size
Small
Dimensions
0.60 m high × 0.00 m wide
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Root, Flowers, Seed
Functions
Cosmetic, Dye, Repellent
Edibility
5 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Onions - raw or cooked. Onions are a versatile food that is widely used around the world. They can be eaten both raw and cooked and are often added to salads, sandwiches, sautéed or cooked as a vegetable, and used as a seasoning in various dishes such as soups and stews. Some onion varieties are ideal for making pickles due to their smaller and often spicier bulbs. Onion greens - raw or cooked. Certain types of onions, such as green onions, have edible leaves that can be used in salads while they are still young. These varieties have smaller bulbs and are typically eaten along with the leaves. By sowing them successively, they can be available year-round. Onion flowers - raw. These can be used as a garnish on salads. The flowers are somewhat drier and less attractive than those of other plants. Onion seeds can be sprouted and eaten and have a delightful onion aroma.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Allium cepa — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1946506; ID 667JH; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1946506; ID 667JH; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Allium cepa — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering season
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Allium species (top 427 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 2, entry Allium species (top 592 pt)

    Source checked on .

  5. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Allium cepa — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1171109; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 413551

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.