Allium cepa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um see-puh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Shallots are members of the onion family native to Asia. They have a flavor described as somewhere between onion and garlic. It is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits and can be planted near black walnut trees. The bulb will make several offsets during the growing season. The tops can also be used like chives but harvesting these will delay the bulb formation. The creamy bulbs are 2-3 inches long by 3-4 inches wide and depressed oval in shape. The outer covering is tinged with red, purple or brown.
Plant bulbs in moist but well-drained fertile loose soils in full sun as soon as the ground can be worked in spring about 1/2 to 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. The bulbs are ready to harvest when at least 2/3 of the tops have died down. Dig shallots with a garden fork to prevent damage and allow to dry or "cure" for 2-3 weeks before using. Store in mesh bags or crates for good air circulation.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Bulb mites can occur. Bulb rot in too-wet soils can occur.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- cepa
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Asia
- Edibility:
- The bulb and tops are edible raw or cooked. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Flowers wither and convert to bulblets
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Small clusters of white or pink star or bell-shaped flowers with exerted stamens.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Long and green with a glaucous surface. Sheaths about 1/4 of the stem
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Hollow round stems
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
