Bunching onions, also known as green onions or scallions, are a type of onion that is harvested when the bulb is still small. They have a milder flavor than regular onions and can be used in many different dishes. Bunching onions are easy to grow and only require a few simple steps to get started.
Botanical Name: | Allium fistulosum |
Other Names: | Welsh onion, spring onion, green onion, salad onion |
Type of Plant: | Perennial herb |
Size and Appearance: | Grows up to 12 inches tall. Has long, hollow leaves and a small white bulb. |

Planting Time:
Spring or fall.

Blossoming Time:
Late spring to early summer.

Propagation:
From seed.

Sun:
Full sun to partial shade.

Temperature:
Optimally at slightly over 60° F (15°C)

Soil:
Rich, well-drained soil.

Watering:
Regular watering is needed during dry periods.

Fertilize:
Fertilize every few weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer or compost tea.

Uses:
Used as a flavoring in soups, salads, and stir-fries.
Table of Contents
ToggleHow to grow bunching onions in the Garden

- Buy bunching onion seeds.
- Find a location for your garden that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day.
- Prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of about eight inches. Add organic matter such as compost or manure to the soil to improve drainage and fertility.
- Sow seeds in late spring, after the last frost date for your area.
- To direct seed, sow seeds ½ inch deep and two inches apart in rows that are spaced 12 inches apart.
- Once seeds have germinated and seedlings are four to six weeks old, thin plants so they are four to six inches apart within rows.
- Keep the soil around your bunching onions moist by watering regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and control weeds.
- Fertilize every few weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer or compost tea to keep plants growing strong.
- Harvest your bunching onions and enjoy them in your food!
In the following, I will cover each step in a little more detail.
1. Buy bunching onion seeds.
Bunching onion seeds can be bought at many places, including garden stores, online seed retailers, and catalogs.
The best place to buy bunching onion seeds depends on the variety of seed desired and the grower’s budget.
2. Find a location for your garden that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day.
Bunching onions will also do well in partial shade.
The ideal spot for bunching onions in the garden is a sunny location with well-drained soil.
Bunching onions require full sun to partial shade and do not tolerate wet or soggy conditions.
3. Prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of about eight inches. Add organic matter such as compost or manure to the soil to improve drainage and fertility.
The best way to prepare the soil for bunching onions is to first loosen it up with a garden hoe.
Next, use a rake to level off the area where the onions will be planted. It’s important to make sure the soil is loose and not too compacted, as this can cause problems with the onions’ root systems.
Finally, add some organic matter to the soil, such as compost or manure, and mix it in well.
One potential obstacle you may face when preparing the soil for bunching onions is if it is too dry. In this case, you will need to water the soil thoroughly before starting any of the preparation steps.
Another obstacle could be if the soil is too hard and compacted. In this instance, you may need to use a rototiller to break up the soil before continuing with the other steps.
The soil should be loose and amended with organic matter to help with drainage. Bunching onions are also heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization throughout the growing season.
4. Sow seeds in late spring, after the last frost date for your area.
Bunching onion seeds should be sown in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked.
They can also be sown in late summer for a fall crop.
5. To direct seed, sow seeds ½ inch deep and two inches apart in rows that are spaced 12 inches apart.
The soil should be loose and well-drained, and the seeds should be planted about 1/2 inch deep.
Bunching onions will germinate in 10-14 days.
6. Once seeds have germinated and seedlings are four to six weeks old, thin plants so they are four to six inches apart within rows.
Bunching onions, also called scallions or green onions, are thinned out when they are about 4 inches tall.
The reason for thinning is to allow the remaining plants room to grow.
When thinning, pull up every other plant so that the remaining plants are about 6 inches apart.
7. Keep the soil around your bunching onions moist by watering regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and control weeds.
A freshly planted bunching onion needs about 1 inch of water per week.
They need this much water because they are a shallow rooted vegetable and their roots can dry out quickly.
8. Fertilize every few weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer or compost tea to keep plants growing strong.
Bunching onions are a type of onion that is typically used as a garnish or as a flavoring agent in various dishes. They are generally smaller than other types of onions, and have a milder flavor.
When it comes to fertilizer, bunching onions need a nutrient-rich soil in order to thrive. This means that you should fertilize them on a regular basis, using a high-quality fertilizer.
The frequency with which you fertilize will depend on the type of fertilizer you use, as well as the specific needs of your plants.
However, as a general rule of thumb, you should fertilize bunching onions every two to four weeks during the growing season.
There are several reasons why regular fertilization is important for bunching onions. First, onions are heavy feeders, meaning that they require more nutrients than other types of plants.
Second, fertilizer helps to promote healthy growth and prevents common problems such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth.
Finally, fertilizer provides the essential nutrients that onions need in order to produce large, flavorful bulbs.
9. Harvest your bunching onions and enjoy them in your food.
Bunching onions are harvested when the greens are about 6-8 inches tall. This is typically about 60 days after planing. The perfect timing for harvest is when the onion bulbs are just starting to form and the greens are still tender. Bunching onions can be harvested by pulling them out of the ground or by cutting them at the base with a sharp knife.
Why this is the perfect timing: If you wait too long to harvest, the onion bulbs will start to swell and the greens will become tough and bitter.
How to grow bunching onions in a planting pot.

- Buy a pot that is at least 6 inches deep and has drainage holes in the bottom.
- Fill the pot with a high quality potting mix or garden soil.
- Sow the onion seeds about ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart.
- Water the seedlings regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
- When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, thin them out so that only the strongest plants remain.
- Fertilize the onions every few weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer.
- As the onions start to bulb up, stop watering them as frequently to allow the bulbs to mature.
- When the tops of the onions start to turn yellow, they are ready to harvest!
- Carefully dig up the onions, being careful not to damage the bulbs.
- Brush off any dirt and allow the onions to air dry for a day or two before storing them in a cool, dark place.
In the following, I will cover each step in a little more detail.
1. Buy a pot that is at least 6 inches deep and has drainage holes in the bottom.
A pot with a diameter of 12 inches and a height of 6 inches would be the perfect size for bunching onions. This size pot would allow the onions to have enough space to grow, while still being compact enough to fit in a small space.
2. Fill the pot with a high quality potting mix or garden soil.
The perfect potting mix for bunching onions would be a mix of 1 part peat moss to 2 parts perlite. This mix would provide good drainage while still retaining some moisture.
The pH should be slightly acidic, around 6.0.
3. Sow the onion seeds about ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart.
To plant bunching onions in a pot, fill the pot with well-draining soil and place the onion seeds about 1/2 inch deep. Water the soil until it is moist but not soggy, and place the pot in a sunny location.
Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, and within a few weeks the onion seeds will germinate and seedlings will appear. Thin the seedlings so that only the strongest ones remain, and continue to water regularly.
The bunching onions should be ready to harvest in about 2-3 months.
4. Water the seedlings regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
A bunching onion is a type of onion that is grown for its greens, rather than its bulb. To grow bunching onions from seed, sow the seeds in early spring, about 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Water the seeds well, keeping the soil moist but not wet. The seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days. Once they have emerged, thin them to 4-6 inches apart.
Bunching onions can be harvested anytime after they have reached 6 inches tall. To harvest, simply cut the greens off at the base of the plant.
5. When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, thin them out so that only the strongest plants remain.
Bunching onions are best suited for indoor growth in a pot because they do not require a lot of space. They can be kept in a sunny spot or in artificial light, and they only need to be watered when the soil is dry.
To thin bunching onions seedlings, first wait until they are about 4-6 inches tall. Then, using a sharp knife or pair of scissors, cut off the weaker seedlings at the base, leaving only the strongest ones remaining.
Be sure to leave about 2-3 inches between each seedling so they have room to grow.
6. Fertilize the onions every few weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer.
The perfect fertilizer for bunching onions that grow indoors would be a water-soluble fertilizer with a low nitrogen content.
7. As the onions start to bulb up, stop watering them as frequently to allow the bulbs to mature.
If bunching onions bulb up and mature, it means that the onion plant has reached the end of its life cycle and is no longer producing new leaves or flowers.
The plant will die back after a few months, leaving behind a small, round onion that can be eaten like any other onion.
8. When the tops of the onions start to turn yellow, they are ready to harvest!
Bunching onions are best harvested when they are still small and their greens are tender. Don’t wait until the tops turn completely yellow.
9. Carefully dig up the onions, being careful not to damage the bulbs.
To harvest bunching onions, you will need to first dig up the entire onion plant. Be sure to loosen the soil around the plant before pulling it up.
10. Brush off any dirt and allow the onions to air dry for a day or two before storing them in a cool, dark place.
Once you have pulled up the plant, shake off any excess dirt and remove the onions from the plant. To store your onions, place them in a cool, dry location.
How to use bunching onions

Bunching onions, also known as green onions or spring onions, are a type of onion that is harvested before the bulb has fully developed. They have a milder flavor than mature onions and can be used in many different dishes.
- In food, bunching onions are often used as a garnish or added to salads, soups, and stir-fries.
- In tea, bunching onions can be used to add flavor and sweetness.
- In a medical context, bunching onions are sometimes used as an herbal remedy for colds and congestion.
- In an esoteric context, bunching onions may represent new beginnings or growth.
Facts about bunching onions
-Bunching onions, also known as scallions or green onions, are a type of onion that is harvested when the bulb is still small and immature.
- They have a milder flavor than other types of onions and are often used as a garnish or in salads.
- Bunching onions are low in calories and fat, and high in vitamin C and dietary fiber.
- They can be eaten raw or cooked, and are a good source of antioxidants.