Leek
Leek is a vegetable in the Amaryllidaceae family. It grows best in full sun with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 5-10. Plants reach harvest about 75–126 days after planting and sit about 4 inches apart.
Varieties
12 from High Mowing, Seeds Now & True Leaf Market · sorted by days to maturity▸Alto75–85 days
Summer crop; Versatile; Long shafts
Popular, fast-growing, early summer leek with nice, cylindrical shape and thick, white shaft. Tall, Bulgarian-type that can be left to mature for beautiful full-bodied leeks or harvested early for delicately flavored bunching leeks good for salads or lightly sautéed. Consistent performance in summer production, not a winter hardy variety.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant; add 30-40 days if direct seeding. Trim 5" seedlings to increase girth. Transplant to shallow 6" trenches, leaving a few inches of leaf above the soil and hill plants as they grow. Store at just above 32°F with high humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Lancelot76–104 days
Adaptable planting dates based on region; Bolt resistant
Resistance: IR: Purple Blotch; Rust; White Tip; Thrips
Thick, uniform shafts with bolt resistance. This impressive open-pollinated leek is dependable, producing long white shafts with dark green flags. Suitable for summer and early fall harvests in cooler climates and late fall and overwintering in warm climates. Shafts are large and uniform, making them easy to clean and versatile in the kitchen. Primed seed.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant; add 30-40 days if direct seeding. Trim 5" seedlings to increase girth. Transplant to shallow 6" trenches, leaving a few inches of leaf above the soil and hill plants as they grow. Store at just above 32°F with high humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸OG American Flag80–120 days
An excellent, fast-growing leek. Under good conditions the white stem can reach about 1 foot in length. One of the best summer leeks for flavor and productivity. Shows frost resistance and tolerates frost about as well as onions, but will not overwinter.
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Bandit85–115 days
Fall/winter crop; Upright habit
Resistance: IR: Purple Blotch; Rust; Thrips; White Tip
Thick, heavy, winter leek for late harvests or overwintering. Forms a very thick base with little bulbing, making cleaning easier and offering more weight per plant. Deeply colorful blue-green flags stand upright. Elongate and blanch shafts by hilling. Mulch well for overwintering in northern regions. Primed seed. Limited availability
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant; add 30-40 days if direct seeding. Trim 5" seedlings to increase girth. Transplant to shallow 6" trenches, leaving a few inches of leaf above the soil and hill plants as they grow. Store at just above 32°F with high humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Giant Musselburgh85–115 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
Mild, sweet, onion-like flavor - A very hardy variety - Blue-green leaves resemble giant scallions Days to Maturity | 100 days Leek Seeds | Plant leeks in the spring, and late in the summer or fall. Plant leek seedlings 8-10 inches apart Click here for complete Leek grow guide
View on Seeds Now ↗▸American Flag Leek (Organic)89–121 days
Heirloom / Open Pollinated; Vegetable; Annual; Container; Organic
Allium ampeloprasum (105 days) Originated around 1870. Also called "Giant Musselburh" or "Scotch Flag." Leeks date back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians. Their popularity has grown through many cultures since then. Leeks create a tasty pearl-white bulb with huge green leaves. They have a delicate onion flavor that makes them a favorite in soups, stews and salads. Perfect for the home gardener and market grower.
View on True Leaf Market ↗▸Carentan90–110 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
Looks similar to large scallions and has an onion flavor - The foliage is green with white bottoms - Leek can be planted up to 4 weeks before last frost Days to Maturity | 90-110 days Leek Seeds | Plant leeks in the spring, and late in the summer or fall. Plant leek seedlings 8-10 inches apart. Click here for complete Leek grow guide Additional Details The leek is one of the national emblems of Wales, worn along with the daffodil (in Welsh, the daffodil is known as "Peter's Leek," Cenhinen Bedr) on St. David’s Day.
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Chinook F190–95 days
Summer crop; Uniform size and shape; Easy to clean
Early, high-quality leeks with great performance in cold conditions. Long, straight shafts have bright green outer wrapping and deep blue-green flags. Adaptable variety grows quickly, is easy to field clean, and has high yield potential for commercial growers. Slightly longer and narrower than Megaton F1 with superior uniformity. From our partners at Vitalis Organic Seeds.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant; add 30-40 days if direct seeding. Trim 5" seedlings to increase girth. Transplant to shallow 6" trenches, leaving a few inches of leaf above the soil and hill plants as they grow. Store at just above 32°F with high humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Large American Flag90–100 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
Mild, sweet, onion-like flavor. Very hardy, will overwinter in milder climates. The 7 to 9 inch stems blanch snowy white and are topped with blue-green leaves resemble giant scallions. Days to Maturity | 90-100 days Leek Seeds | Plant leeks in the spring, and late in the summer or fall. Plant leek seedlings 8-10 inches apart. Click here for complete Leek grow guide
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Oslo F194–126 days
Fall/Winter crop; Bolt resistant; Stores well
Thick, stocky shafts with dark blue leaves and attractive, upright habit. Late maturing leek for late fall, early winter harvests. Can be overwintered in more temperate climates. Boasts impressive bolt resistance and good uniformity. Thick shafts are easy to peel and process, making it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. From our partners at Vitalis Organic Seeds.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant; add 30-40 days if direct seeding. Trim 5" seedlings to increase girth. Transplant to shallow 6" trenches, leaving a few inches of leaf above the soil and hill plants as they grow. Store at just above 32°F with high humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Tadorna94–126 days
Winter crop; Uniform size; Excellent field performance
An exceptional winter leek with highly uniform, stocky shafts and dark blue-green leaves that size up well and hold in the field into fall. Plants are vigorous and show good field resistance to leaf blights. Cold-hardy and well adapted to many regions, it can be overwintered in mild climates for harvest into winter and early spring.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant; add 30-40 days if direct seeding. Trim 5" seedlings to increase girth. Transplant to shallow 6" trenches, leaving a few inches of leaf above the soil and hill plants as they grow. Store at just above 32°F with high humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗▸Comanche F195–100 days
Flexible harvest window; Sizes up early
Early fall leek with long white shafts and dark bluish-green foliage. Suitable for both bunching and prepacking, these beautiful white shafts are durable with a tender interior. The layers are easy to peel, making them an ideal allium for the kitchen. With an upright growth habit, plants have good field-holding quality and a flexible harvest window.
Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant; add 30-40 days if direct seeding. Trim 5" seedlings to increase girth. Transplant to shallow 6" trenches, leaving a few inches of leaf above the soil and hill plants as they grow. Store at just above 32°F with high humidity.
View on High Mowing ↗
Plant spacing
In a square-foot bed, space leek about 4 in apart — that fits 9 plants in each 1-foot square (3×3). Wider rows or containers space the same.
Plan your leek planting
Add leek 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
Stores well in the right conditions. 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
Leeks emit sulfur-containing volatiles (allyl sulfides, propanethial-S-oxide) that disrupt host-finding by carrot rust fly (Psila rosae). Extension recommendations across the Northeast US, Pacific Northwest, and Ontario list leek alongside onion and chive as effective allium intercrops for carrot beds. The reciprocal benefit — carrot foliage masking onion fly (Delia antiqua) — is weaker for leek because leek itself is less susceptible than dry-bulb onion.
Region: Most useful in maritime / cool-summer regions where carrot rust fly pressure is highest (Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, Maritimes).
Source: S1, S4, University of Guelph / OMAFRA
- Common CabbageEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpest-deter
Allium volatiles are frequently cited by extension as a partial deterrent to cabbage maggot (Delia radicum) and aphids on brassicas, though replicated yield trials are limited and effects are inconsistent. Leek's long season alongside the brassica crop makes it a convenient bed-mate.
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
Blanch leeks for long white shanks
Care- Routine careHill soil around the stems· every 18 daysmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Leek shanks turn white and tender only where light is blocked, so gradually draw loose soil up around the lower stem, adding 2 to 3 inches at a time as the plants grow. Avoid letting soil fall into the leaf joint, and repeat every couple of weeks for the longest blanched shanks.
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 leekand 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.