Allium praecox, commonly known as Early Onion, is a perennial herb native to coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats of southern California and Baja California. It is adapted to the Mediterranean climate of the region, flourishing in well-drained, sandy or rocky soils, often below 2625 feet in elevation. This species is characterized by its brownish or grayish bulb from which emerges a stem topped with a cluster of pink flowers, each exhibiting darker purple veins, typically blooming from late winter to early spring.

Early Onion is appreciated for its ornamental flowers and is used in rock gardens, native plant gardens, and as a border plant. It requires minimal maintenance and is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It thrives in full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained soils. While not commonly used in culinary applications, it is related to other edible alliums. Gardeners should note that it can be sensitive to overwatering and may be subject to onion thrips or bulb rot if conditions are too moist.CC BY-SA 4.0