Egyptian Walking Onions

Planted at Mount Vernon

Upper Garden

Hardiness Zones

Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

Egyptian walking onions are a unique plant which produces the next generation in a crown of bulblets atop their stalks in lieu of flowers. As the bulblets grow, their weight pulls them to the ground, where they take root to grow new plants. While the young bulbs are mild and can be used as scallions, old bulbs are quite pungent.

Latin Name

Allium x proliferum

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Also Known As

Tree onion , Topsetting onion ,

Type of Plant

Perennials

Vegetables

Seasons

Spring

Fall

Summer

Specifications

Max Height: 1.5'

Max Spread: 1'

Uses

Edible

Vegetable

Sunlight Exposure

Full Sun

Colors

History

Bernard McMahon of Philadelphia listed walking onions in his 1802 seed catalog.

Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

Bring Washington's Garden Home

Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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