Is Agapanthus the Same Family As Allium?

Taxonomy

• Agapanthus and allium are from two different botanical families. Although both belong to the order Amaryllidaceae, agapanthus is a member of the African lily family, or Agapanthoideae, while allium species belong to the widespread onion family, or Allioideae.

Similarities

• Both lily of the Nile and garden allium, like the popular Globemaster, (Allium cristophii x macleanii Globemaster, or Allium giganteum Globemaster) produce showy clusters of lavender flowers on 2- to 3-feet tall spikes. They also produce their blooms in summer and are not North American natives, although other members of the allium family are natives.

Differences

• Plants in the allium family produce bulbs. Onions and garlic are both members of the allium family, and the bulbs of garden allium have a distinctive onion-like smell. Agapanthus plants, however, produce thickened rhizomes and not true bulbs. Agapanthus plants are not cold-hardy, unlike allium, and take damage when temperatures drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit.