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(Allium cepa)
Common Onion (Allium cepa)
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Patrick Hacker
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Patrick Hacker
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Patrick Hacker | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Patrick Hacker | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-07-22T14:28:51-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Allium cepa, commonly known as Common Onion, is a biennial plant typically grown as an annual herb. It is native to temperate regions of Central Asia. The onion is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. Mature plants can reach a height of 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 in). The plant features a fan of hollow, bluish-green leaves and forms a bulb at the base when the day-length is sufficient. The foliage dies back in the autumn, or in spring for overwintering varieties, and the bulb’s outer layers become dry and brittle, signaling harvest time. If not harvested, the bulb will sprout anew in spring.
The Common Onion is valued for its edible bulb, which is a staple in cuisines worldwide. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soils, with sandy loams being ideal for low-sulfur, sweet onions, and clayey soils for high-sulfur, more pungent onions. Onions are day-length sensitive, with "long-day" varieties requiring 14 or more hours of daylight to form bulbs. They produce inconspicuous white flowers in summer. In gardens, they are often grown for their bulbs and sometimes as ornamental plants in flower borders. Onions prefer full sun and moderate watering, with well-draining soil being crucial to prevent bulb rot. They can be affected by a range of pests and diseases, including onion fly, thrips, and fungal infections such as downy mildew and white rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Common Onion is valued for its edible bulb, which is a staple in cuisines worldwide. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soils, with sandy loams being ideal for low-sulfur, sweet onions, and clayey soils for high-sulfur, more pungent onions. Onions are day-length sensitive, with "long-day" varieties requiring 14 or more hours of daylight to form bulbs. They produce inconspicuous white flowers in summer. In gardens, they are often grown for their bulbs and sometimes as ornamental plants in flower borders. Onions prefer full sun and moderate watering, with well-draining soil being crucial to prevent bulb rot. They can be affected by a range of pests and diseases, including onion fly, thrips, and fungal infections such as downy mildew and white rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.5 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden
Other Names
Common Names: Garden Onion, Bulb Onion, Küchenzwiebel, Ui, Lök, Onion, 양파, 洋蔥
Scientific Names: , Allium cepa, Allium cepa var. aggregatum, Allium cepa var. ascalonicum, Allium cepa var. viviparum, Allium cepa var. solaninum, Allium pauciflorum, Allium cepa var. bulbiferum, Allium angolense, Allium ascalonicum var. condensum
GBIF Accepted Name: Allium cepa L.