Bunching Onion
Bunching Onion is a vegetable in the Amaryllidaceae family. It grows best in full sun with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 6-9. Plants reach harvest about 40–140 days after planting and sit about 4 inches apart.
Varieties
23 from True Leaf Market, Seeds Now & High Mowing · sorted by days to maturity▸Ishikura Winter Long40–60 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable
40-60 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Ishikura Winter Long Japanese Bunching Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold hardy, bunching onions. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. A vigorous and hardy winter variety, this bunching onion has hollow stalks and an excellent, mild flavor. It is frost tolerant, pest resistant, and bred to grow well in most areas. It is also delicious for microgreens. Bunching onions are perennials but are generally treated as annuals or biennials.~ 8,375 seeds / oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Red Beard40–50 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable
40-50 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Red Beard Japanese Bunching Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. This popular, specialty bunching onion is easy to grow and an excellent choice for fresh market growers and home gardeners. It has a red stalk, a mild flavor, and tender leaves. Bunching onions are technically perennial but are typically grown as annuals or biennials. ~ 13,000 seeds / oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸White Lisbon40–60 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual; cold hardy; heat tolerant; drought tolerant; open-pollinated
40-60 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. White Lisbon Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial (see zone info), open-pollinated, heirloom, cold hardy, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to disorders. This is the earliest bunching onion. Use this variety for canning, pickling, fresh eating, and stir-frying. ~ 8400 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Crimson Forest51–69 days
Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow
Crimson Forest is a rare heirloom - Dark red, burgundy, and purple colors - Excellent for many culinary creations - Grows well in containers and small spaces - Easy to grow Days to Maturity | 60 days Onion Seeds | Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows. Click here for complete Onion grow guide
Growing notes: Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows.
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Ishikura Improved51–69 days
Heirloom; Non-GMO; Vegetable; Annual
60 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum Ishikura Improved Bunching Onion Seeds. Annual, Non-GMO, Heirloom. This is a traditional medium early Japanese type bunching onion. At maturity, the stalk has white shanks up to 20-24" long with 6 or 7 deep green, thick leaves. These green onions do not form bulbs and do not multiply by division. The Ishikura Improved is tolerant to warm and cool temperatures and is suitable for winter harvesting in some areas. Approximately 7,000 seeds / oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Warrior AAS51–69 days
AAS Winner; Container; Vegetable
Resistance: HR: Pink Root Rot
60 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Warrior Bunching Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, AAS Regional winner (Southeast, Mountain/Southwest), bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to Pink Root Rot. This 2016 AAS winner grows quickly and matures early, producing a very uniform crop of slender, crisp onion stalks. This variety was bred by Seeds by Design and is comparable to the Tokyo Long White or Ishikura Improved Bunching onions. ~6,400 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Evergreen Hardy55–75 days
Welsh-type; Very cold hardy
Reliably overwinters in Vermont, where temperatures can reach -30°F. Sow all season long or overwinter. Divide clumps in second year to produce a new crop. Can be grown like an annual or allowed to develop into a dense patch. Allium fistulosum. Unavailable in 2024.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding, subtract 1-2 weeks if transplanting. Onions are cool-season biennials dependent on day length for bulb formation. Short day onions start forming bulbs with 11-12 hrs of daylight, long day onions need 14-16 hrs, intermediate day onions fall in between. Start transplants indoors 8-12 weeks before last frost. Optimal soil temp for germination is 75-85°F. When seedlings reach 5”, trim to increase girth. Onions compete poorly with weeds and steady water is important. Harvest sweet and red onions after bulb development, and storage onions after tops dry up and flop over. Cure for 3-5 days in the field if weather is dry or indoors for 2 weeks at 75-80°F and 80% relative humidity. Store at 33-35°F at 65-70% relative humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Lisbon, White55–75 days
Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow
White Lisbon is a very popular type of bunching onion - Dark green leaves with long white stalks - Stores well after harvest - Excellent for many culinary creations - A hot and cold resistant variety - This variety is usually planted in the spring but it's also a great fall/winter crop as well - Grows well in containers and small spaces - Easy to grow Days to Maturity | 65 days Onion Seeds | Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows. Click here for complete Onion grow guide
Growing notes: Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows.
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Bunching White Ishikura (Organic) (Clearance)60–66 days
Heirloom; Organic; Non-GMO; Vegetable
57% Germination - Non-refundable clearance seeds. 60-66 Days to maturity. Organic White Ishikura Bunching Onion Seeds. White Ishikura has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is a favorite for winter harvesting. This Japanese-type bunching onion develops long white-ended stalks lacking bulbs. While it is a perennial, it is most often grown as an annual or biennial. These clearance Organic White Ishikura Bunching Onion Seeds are 13% below germination standards. Approx 8,375 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Flagpole (Organic)60–80 days
Heirloom; Organic; Vegetable; Perennial
60-80 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Flagpole Scallion Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, and raised beds. One the largest kinds of green onions available. It is also well known for its cold tolerance. Highly prized by Asian chefs. Develops attractive dark blue-green leaves. About 150 seeds per 500mg packet.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Heshiko60–80 days
Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Vegetable; Perennial
60-80 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Heshiko Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. This Japanese bunching onion or scallion produces tender leaves with white 12-14 inch stalks. The onion has delicious, white, pungent flesh. This variety will over-winter. Approximately 12,700 seeds per ounce.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Heshiko (Treated)60–80 days
Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Vegetable; Perennial
60-80 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Heshiko Treated Onion Seeds (Thiram fungicide). Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. This Japanese bunching onion or scallion produces tender leaves with white 12-14 inch stalks. The onion has delicious, white, pungent flesh. This variety will over-winter. Approximately 12,700 seeds per ounce. This seed is treated with a fungicide designed to prevent or reduce seed rot in the soil. It does not affect the plant or the produce from the plant. This seed is intended for planting only. Do not eat this seed or use it for oil or animal feed. Keep this seed out of the reach of children. Wash hands after handling.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Parade60–80 days
Uniform size; Upright habit
Resistance: IR: Basal Rot; Pink Root
Knocked our socks off in our bunching onion trials. We’ve never seen such a uniform, upright bunching onion, not a single leaf leaning over. Gorgeous rows of dark green and vigorous stalks with no bulbing at all, making cleaning easy and quick. Parade has a nice, mild onion flavor. From our partners at Bejo Seeds
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from direct seeding, subtract 1-2 weeks if transplanting. Onions are cool-season biennials dependent on day length for bulb formation. Short day onions start forming bulbs with 11-12 hrs of daylight, long day onions need 14-16 hrs, intermediate day onions fall in between. Start transplants indoors 8-12 weeks before last frost. Optimal soil temp for germination is 75-85°F. When seedlings reach 5”, trim to increase girth. Onions compete poorly with weeds and steady water is important. Harvest sweet and red onions after bulb development, and storage onions after tops dry up and flop over. Cure for 3-5 days in the field if weather is dry or indoors for 2 weeks at 75-80°F and 80% relative humidity. Store at 33-35°F at 65-70% relative humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Tokyo Long White60–90 days
Heirloom / Open Pollinated; Vegetable; Container; Perennial
Resistance: HR: Botrytis Leaf Blight; Pink Root Rot
60-90 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Tokyo Long White Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to Botrytis Leaf Blight, Pink Root Rot. Although related to the traditional garden onion bulb, Tokyo Long bunching onions grow much faster, easier, and even taste a whole lot better. ~7,000 seeds per ounce.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Tokyo Long White (Organic)60–90 days
Heirloom; Organic; Container; Vegetable; Perennial
Resistance: HR: Botrytis Leaf Blight; Pink Root Rot
60-90 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Tokyo Long White Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, drought tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to Botrytis Leaf Blight, Pink Root Rot. Although related to the traditional garden onion bulb, Tokyo Long bunching onions grow much faster, easier, and even taste a whole lot better. ~7,000 seeds per ounce.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Tokyo Long White (Organic) (Clearance)60–90 days
Heirloom; Organic; Vegetable; Annual
65% Germination - Non-refundable clearance seeds. 60-90 Days to maturity. Organic Tokyo Long White Onion Seeds. A classic Japanese bunching onion that makes extra-long, tender white stalks with bright green tops and a clean, mild bite. Fast, generous, and easy to grow for crisp scallions all season—perfect for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes. These clearance Organic Tokyo Long White Onion seeds are 5% below germination standards. Approx 7,000 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸White Ishikura (Organic)60–66 days
Heirloom; Organic; Non-GMO; Container; Vegetable; Annual; Perennial
60-66 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Bunching White Ishikura Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold hardy, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. The White Ishikura has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is a favorite for winter harvesting. This Japanese-type bunching onion develops long white-ended stalks lacking bulbs. While it is a perennial, it is most often grown as an annual or biennial. These bunching onions are also known as Welsh onions, meaning 'foreign' when introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages. ~ 8,375 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Evergreen White Nebuka65–120 days
Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Perennial
Resistance: HR: Neck Rot; Pink Root Rot
65-120 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Evergreen White Nebuka Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to Neck Rot, Pink Root Rot. Bunching onions are often known as Welsh Onions and Long Green Onions. These are cold-hardy and considered evergreen in many zones. This variety is not only grown for eating but also serves as a beautiful border plant as well. Bunching onions are known for their slender silvery-white stalks and their mild flavor. ~ 7,000 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Evergreen White Nebuka (Organic)65–120 days
Heirloom / Open Pollinated; Vegetable; Container; Perennial
Resistance: HR: Neck Rot; Pink Root Rot
65-120 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Organic Evergreen White Nebuka Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, cold tolerant, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to Neck Rot, Pink Root Rot. Bunching onions are often known as Welsh Onions and Long Green Onions. These are cold-hardy and considered evergreen in many zones. This variety is not only grown for eating but also serves as a beautiful border plant as well. Bunching onions are known for their slender silvery-white stalks and their mild flavor. ~ 7,000 seeds/oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Kyoto Kujo Negi68–92 days
Heirloom / Open Pollinated; Vegetable; Container
80 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Kyoto Kujo Negi Japanese Bunching Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. This non-bulbing Japanese green onion is one of the Kyo yasai, or traditional vegetables in the Kyoto region. Bunching onions are perennials but are generally grown as annuals or biennials. The tender leaf tapers to a height of 24 inches, modulating in color from white to light green and dark green. It has a nice mild flavor. ~ 12,625 seeds / oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Tokyo Long White, Scallion75–80 days
Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Start indoors; Super easy to grow
The Tokyo Long White Bunching Onion – or Scallion – is an extremely tasty Japanese variety that grows well throughout the United States - One of our best sellers - Grows well in containers and small spaces - Easy to grow Days to Maturity | 75-80 days Onion Seeds | Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows. Click here for complete Onion grow guide
Growing notes: Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows.
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Evergreen102–138 days
Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with containers; Grows well with raised beds; Start indoors; Super easy to grow
Allium cepa. This plant produces very long and slender bunching onions - Grown exclusively as green bunching onions. Onions have white shanks and white skin making it a very attractive scallion for gourmet dishes - A hardy plant that can withstand cold weather - If you like scallions, you'll love this variety - Extremely popular - A must have for any onion-lover Days to Maturity | 120 days Onion Seeds | Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows. Click here for complete Onion grow guide
Growing notes: Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows.
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Shimonita Negi120–140 days
Heirloom; Non-GMO; Container; Vegetable; Perennial
120-140 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Variety name Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Shimonita Town is where these famous Japanese bunching onions originate. It is considered the 'King of the Negi' for its fat white root ends and delectable sweet flavor when cooked. Utilize any part of this plant for its oniony flavor. A single stalk variety, the bulb begins to flatten at a 13-hour day length. Bunching onions are technically perennial but are typically grown as annuals or biennials.~ 13,000 seeds / oz.
View on True Leaf Market ↗
Plant spacing
In a square-foot bed, space bunching onion about 4 in apart — that fits 9 plants in each 1-foot square (3×3). Wider rows or containers space the same.
Plan your bunching onion planting
Add bunching onion to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.
Start your free plan →At a glance
Storing & preserving
Best used right away — quality drops fast. Cure 2–3 weeks, then store cool, dark, and dry — keeps for months.
- Cure & store: Dry the necks/skins fully, then store in a cool pantry.
- Freeze: Freeze chopped for cooking (texture softens).
General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Growing timeline
Companion planting — with cited sources
From US/Canada cooperative-extension publications and peer-reviewed studies. Evidence-tier dots show how strongly each recommendation is backed: ●●● peer-reviewed mechanism · ●● extension consensus · ● traditional knowledge with a plausible mechanism.
Pairs well with (2)
- CarrotEvidence tier B: Extension consensus across multiple US/Canada land-grant institutionspest-deter
Bunching onion (scallion) emits the same masking sulfur volatiles as bulb onion and is the most commonly recommended allium for season-long carrot interplant in extension guides — it does not compete with the carrot for bed space and matures on a similar timeline.
Source: S1, S4, University of Guelph / OMAFRA
- Common CabbageEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter
Scallions interplanted at row edges are cited by extension home-garden references as reducing cabbage aphid and (more modestly) cabbage maggot pressure on brassicas. Evidence is observational; results vary by site.
Source: University of Maryland Extension, S13
Sources cited
- S1
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension — vegetable production guides
- S13
- University of New Hampshire Extension
- S23
- University of Guelph / OMAFRA (Ontario)
- S4
- Oregon State University Extension Service
- S9
- University of Maryland Extension — Home & Garden Info Center
Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations
When to feed, prune & water
Feed alliums in spring
Feeding- Routine careFeed nitrogen every 3 weeks during active growth· every 3 wks · ~9 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Alliums build the bulb from spring leaf growth. Feed a nitrogen source every ~3 weeks through spring, then stop once bulbs start to swell so they cure well.
Floating row cover timing
ProtectionUnusual this time of year.
- Routine careCover at planting and seal the edgesstrong evidence — extension confidence
Lay floating row cover over the crop right at seeding or transplanting and bury the edges with soil so pests can't get under; don't cover ground where the same crop grew last year, since overwintered pupae would emerge inside.
- Routine careRemove at flowering for pollinated cropsstrong evidence — extension confidence
On crops that need insect pollination, take the cover off once flowering begins so bees can reach the blooms; on self-pollinated or leafy crops you can leave it longer.
Something looks wrong?
Describe what you see on your bunching onionand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.
Bacterial soft rot
Diseasesevere- CulturalRemove rotting plants and produce (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence
Soft rot can't be cured once tissue breaks down; promptly remove and discard affected plants and produce so the bacteria don't spread to neighbors or other stored vegetables.
- CulturalAvoid wounds and excess moisturestrong evidence — extension confidence
Harvest in dry conditions, handle gently to avoid bruising, control insects that create entry wounds, and improve drainage; cure and store bulbs and roots cool and dry.
- CulturalDon't overwater and rotatemoderate evidence — extension confidence
Avoid waterlogged soil and overhead watering that splashes bacteria, and rotate away from previously affected fleshy crops to lower disease pressure.
Onion & garlic white rot
Diseasesevere- CulturalRemove infected plants and soil carefullystrong evidence — extension confidence
Dig and discard affected plants along with the surrounding soil to avoid spreading the long-lived sclerotia; clean soil off tools and boots, since this fungus can persist in soil for many years.
- CulturalAvoid moving infested soil and replantingstrong evidence — extension confidence
Don't replant alliums in known-infested ground; while rotation alone won't clear it, avoiding the area and not spreading contaminated soil is the most reliable home approach.
Leafhoppers & aster yellows
Diseasemoderate- CulturalRemove infected plants and weed reservoirsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Aster yellows can't be cured, so pull and discard plants showing yellowing and witches-broom, and clear nearby weedy hosts that harbor the phytoplasma and its leafhoppers.
- CulturalExclude leafhoppers with row covermoderate evidence — extension confidence
On young susceptible crops, a floating row cover keeps egg-laying leafhoppers off and lowers the chance of aster-yellows spread.
Leek moth and thrips on leeks
Pestmoderate- CulturalCover and clean upmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Cover plants with insect netting or row cover at planting to keep egg-laying leek moths and thrips off, and remove and destroy badly infested leaves and crop debris. Rotate alliums to a new spot each year to break the pest cycle.
- OrganicWash off thrips or spray· every 1 wkmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For thrips, hose plants down to dislodge them, or apply a labeled insecticidal soap or neem product per the label. For leek moth caterpillars, a labeled spinosad or Bacillus thuringiensis product applied per the label when young larvae are active can help.
Leek rust
Diseasemoderate- CulturalImprove airflow and remove infected leavesmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Leek rust is a fungal disease favored by damp, crowded conditions and lush growth; space plants well, avoid over-feeding with nitrogen, and remove badly affected leaves. Mild cases usually still produce a usable crop, and rotating alliums each year helps prevent buildup.
Onion thrips
Pestmoderate- CulturalOverhead-water and remove debris· every 3 days · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Thrips dislike moisture; overhead irrigation and weed/debris cleanup reduce them. Reflective mulch deters them on young plants.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap/spinosad - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For heavy pressure a labeled soap or spinosad on a weekly schedule helps. Follow the label.
Cabbage & onion root maggots
PestmoderateUnusual this time of year.
- CulturalCover at planting with floating row coverstrong evidence — extension confidence
Place floating row cover over the crop at seeding or transplanting and bury the edges so flies cannot lay eggs at the stem base; do not use if the same crop grew there last year, since trapped pupae would hatch underneath.
- CulturalRotate and delay plantingstrong evidence — extension confidence
Rotate susceptible crops to a new spot each year and, where possible, delay planting to late spring to miss the main egg-laying window.