Welsh Onion

(Allium fistulosum)

Welsh Onion (Allium fistulosum)

Forest and Kim Starr

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Forest and Kim Starr

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Allium fistulosum, commonly known as Welsh Onion, is an evergreen perennial herb native to the semi-arid regions, grasslands, and open forests of China. It is a species often considered to be a type of scallion. A. fistulosum is very similar in taste and odor to the related common onion, Allium cepa, and hybrids between the two (tree onions) exist. However, A. fistulosum does not develop bulbs and is characterized by hollow leaves (fistulosum means "hollow") and scapes. Larger varieties, such as the Japanese negi, resemble the leek, while smaller varieties resemble chives. This species can multiply by forming perennial evergreen clumps and is also grown in bunches as an ornamental plant. It produces umbels of cream, purple, and white flowers in the spring, which are moderately showy.

Welsh Onion is valued for its culinary uses, as all parts of the plant are edible and can be used similarly to scallions or chives. It is a popular choice for kitchen gardens, herb gardens, and as a border plant in ornamental gardens. In cultivation, it requires full sun and medium amounts of water, thriving in a range of soil types with slow, medium, or fast drainage. It is relatively easy to maintain and can be propagated by seed, division, or offsets. While not prone to serious diseases or pests, it can occasionally suffer from onion fly or thrips.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1-3 feet
Width: 1-1 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

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, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

native to the semi-arid regions, grasslands, and open forests of China

Other Names

Common Names: Bunching Onion, Japanese Bunching Onion, Long Green Onion, Spring Onion, Pibe-Løg, Winterzwiebel, Schnittzwiebel, Röhrenzwiebel, Cebolleta, Pipeløk

Scientific Names: , Allium fistulosum, Allium bouddae, Allium fistulosum var. caespitosum, Allium cepa subsp. fistulosum, Allium fistulosum subsp. caespitosum, Allium fistulosum subsp. giganteum, Allium fistulosum var. giganteum, Allium kashgaricum, Cepa fissilis

GBIF Accepted Name: Allium fistulosum L.