🌿 Spring Onion: Growing Guide
Spring Onion (Allium cepa White Lisbon) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 2–26 °C (36–79 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 3 cm (1.2 in) apart. Expect 60–70 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Allium cepa White Lisbon |
|---|---|
| Category | Exotic Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 3 cm (1.2 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 2–26 °C (36–79 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 60–70 days |
| Sowing depth | 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Height | 30–40 cm (12–16 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | ||
| Tropical | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | ||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jun, Nov–Dec.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jul–Aug, Dec–Jan · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jun–Jul, Dec–Jan · Harvest: Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr, Aug · Plant out: May, Sep · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 6 days in winter. Steady moisture.
Growing tips
White Lisbon. Sow every 3 weeks. White Lisbon Winter Hardy for winter.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Spring Onion: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jun, Nov–Dec. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
Spring Onion: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 6 days in winter. Steady moisture.
Spring Onion: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 3 cm (1.2 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in).
Spring Onion: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 60–70 days.
Spring Onion: which plants grow well with it?
Carrot.
Spring Onion: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Onion fly.
Plan your garden
Add Spring Onion to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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