Planting Egyptian Onion in Spring

Planting Bulbils

• Egyptian walking onions produce a flower stalk that develops bulbils at the top in late spring. If left in place, these bulbils will weigh down the flower stalk, causing it to bend. When the bulbils come in contact with the ground, they produce roots, which will grow another bunch of onions. When the stalk begins to bend, the bulbils can be removed and divided to plant manually into a desired space. Place each bulbil into prepared soil, 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart and water well.

Dividing Bunches

• Egyptian walking onions multiply from the base in addition to producing bulbils. To divide onions, dig up the plant, separate each onion from the clump and replant. Always water well after planting. An excellent way to establish your own Egyptian walking onion garden for free is to obtain a clump of onions from a friend, divide and plant. The following spring, each onion will produce its own set of bulbils, which can then be planted to create a full bed of healthy Egyptian walking onions.

Planting Conditions

• These onions prefer to grow and produce in a mild climate and often growth stalls during the coldest part of winter and hottest part of summer. For this reason, planting bulbils and division should be done in spring or fall. For the fastest growth, divide clumps in spring and plant bulbils in fall, but both processes can be done in either season. Although bulbils are produced in late spring or early summer, they can be removed and stored in a dry place until fall.

Preparing the Soil

• Well-drained, rich soil is preferred for Egyptian walking onions. Soggy conditions could create rot and drought will cause growth to stall. Add a few inches of compost to the intended bed prior to planting and side dress with compost once or twice a year to keep the soil well-fed and healthy.