Overview
Discover the fascinating and flavorful world of egyptian walking onion bulbs, also known as Tree Onions or Multiplier Onions. This offering provides 25 viable top sets, which are the small bulbils that form at the top of the plant’s stalk, ready for you to plant and cultivate. Unlike traditional onions, these unique perennials propagate themselves by ‘walking’ across your garden – the top sets grow heavy, causing the stalk to bend to the ground where the bulbils root and start new plants. This continuous self-propagation makes them an incredibly rewarding and low-maintenance addition to any garden. Scientifically known as Allium proliferum, these onions offer a mild, savory flavor that can be enjoyed in various culinary applications, from fresh salads to cooked dishes. They are a hardy and resilient plant, thriving in a wide range of climates and soil conditions, making them suitable for gardeners across the United States. Establish a patch of these remarkable onions, and enjoy fresh harvests for many years to come.
Key Benefits
Adding egyptian walking onion bulbs to your garden provides a host of advantages, making them a popular choice for home gardeners. Their unique growth habit and culinary versatility are just a few reasons to consider these remarkable plants:
- Perennial & Self-Multiplying: Enjoy a continuous harvest year after year without replanting. These walking onion perennial plants are incredibly self-sufficient, producing new top sets that root themselves, expanding your patch naturally.
- Edible Versatility: Every part of the Egyptian Walking Onion is edible. The green tops can be used like chives or scallions, the underground bulbs are similar to shallots, and the aerial bulbils (top sets) can be planted or used in cooking.
- Extremely Hardy: Renowned for their resilience, these onions are cold-resistant and can withstand harsh winters, making them suitable for a wide range of USDA zones. They are also drought-tolerant once established.
- Easy to Grow: With minimal care required, these multiplier onion sets are perfect for beginner gardeners or those looking for a low-maintenance crop. Simply plant the top sets and watch them thrive.
- Unique Garden Feature: The distinctive growth habit, with bulbils forming atop the stalks, adds an interesting and educational element to your garden landscape. They are often called ‘tree onions’ due to their layered growth.
- Fast Growing: These onions establish quickly, providing a rapid return on your planting efforts. You can expect to see growth soon after planting, leading to early harvests.
- Adaptable to Various Soils: While they prefer well-draining soil, allium proliferum can adapt to a variety of soil types, including chalk, clay, loam, peat, saline, sand, and silt.
Plant Care & Growing Tips
Caring for your egyptian walking onion bulbs is remarkably straightforward, making them an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels. These robust plants are highly adaptable and require minimal intervention once established. For optimal growth, plant your multiplier onion sets in a location that receives full sun to medium sun, ideally at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While they are tolerant of various soil conditions, they will perform best in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Avoid excessively wet or waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to rot. A neutral soil pH is generally preferred, but they can tolerate a range.
Watering requirements are moderate. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells and when the plants are first establishing. Once mature, these walking onion perennial plants are quite drought-resistant. Fertilization is typically not a high priority, but a balanced organic fertilizer applied in early spring can encourage vigorous growth. These onions are cold hardy and suitable for USDA zones 2-9, meaning they can survive harsh winters and return each spring. They are generally resistant to most pests and diseases, contributing to their low-maintenance appeal. If you notice any yellowing leaves, it may indicate overwatering or a nutrient deficiency. Ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent fungal issues.
Size & Details
This product includes 25 egyptian walking onion bulbs, which are specifically the top sets or bulbils produced on the plants’ stalks. These bulbils vary in size but are typically ready for planting upon arrival. When mature, Egyptian Walking Onion plants can reach heights of 18 to 36 inches, producing multiple stalks with clumps of bulbils at their tips. The green foliage is typically ready for harvesting within a few weeks of planting, while the underground bulbs will develop over a season. The unique ‘walking’ habit means that these plants will self-propagate, with the bulbils growing heavy enough to bend the stalk to the ground, where they will root and start new plants, expanding your onion patch naturally over time. They are fast-growing and will quickly establish a productive, perennial bed in your garden. These robust plants are ideal for creating a continuous supply of fresh onions for your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How big do egyptian walking onion bulbs get? A: The plants themselves typically grow to about 18 to 36 inches tall, with the top sets forming at the very top of the stalks. The individual top sets (bulbils) are small, usually less than an inch in diameter, but they grow in clusters.
- Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: These are primarily outdoor plants, thriving in garden beds. While they can be grown in containers, their ‘walking’ nature makes them best suited for outdoor spaces where they can self-propagate.
- Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Egyptian Walking Onions prefer full sun to medium sun, meaning they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and bulb production.
- Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Yes, walking onion perennial plants are considered very easy to care for and are excellent for beginner gardeners. They are low-maintenance, hardy, and self-sufficient.
- Q: What condition will the multiplier onion sets arrive in? A: You will receive 25 viable top sets (bulbils), which are the small, ready-to-plant bulbs that form on the plant’s aerial stalks. They will be carefully packaged to ensure freshness upon arrival.
- Q: When is the best time to plant allium proliferum? A: The best time to plant these top sets is in the fall or early spring. This allows them to establish roots before extreme weather sets in, leading to a robust plant.
- Q: Will these onions survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, these onions are very cold hardy and are suitable for USDA zones 2-9. They are known for their ability to withstand harsh winters and will re-emerge in the spring.
- Q: Can I use the different parts of the egyptian walking onion bulbs in cooking? A: Absolutely! The green tops can be snipped like chives, the underground bulbs used like shallots or small onions, and the aerial bulbils can be pickled, roasted, or used fresh in salads.
- Q: How long until I can harvest the greens? A: You can typically start harvesting the green tops within a few weeks after planting, once the plants have established a good root system and are showing vigorous growth.
- Q: What type of soil do these onions prefer? A: While adaptable, Egyptian Walking Onions thrive in well-draining soil with a neutral pH. They can grow in various soil types including loam, sand, and clay, as long as drainage is adequate.
































