Allium × proliferum Seeds | Egyptian Onion China x
LATIN NAME: Allium × proliferum
COMMON NAME: Tree Onion
Plant Profile
Allium × proliferum, better known as Tree Onion, is a tree in the onion family. Tree onion hoists tiny bulbs at top of hollow stems, small, clustered bulbs nodding over green tubes, and the whole clump carries the fine, curious look of the old kitchen garden. It is a plant of open, sunny, deep, rich, moist, well-drained ground. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the onion family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. The practical point for growers is that this plant has been observed in gardens for so long that its behaviour holds few surprises.
Uses & Benefits
Tree Onion brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Tree onion is a curious, useful plant of old kitchen garden and study collection. It is a curious, useful plant of open, sunny, deep, rich, moist, well-drained garden. Tree onion seeds start well in a light, sandy mix kept moist. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
The onion family is one of the great medicinal plant groups: garlic, onions, leeks and their kin supply sulfur compounds such as allicin that have been studied extensively for cardiovascular and antimicrobial effects. Regular allium consumption is associated with several benefits in population studies, and garlic remains one of the world’s best-selling herbal supplements.
Growing from Seed
Starting Tree Onion from seed is simple and satisfying. Fill a pot with a light seed compost, sow evenly on the surface, cover thinly and stand it somewhere warm, bright and evenly moist. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
Tree Onion earns its space through character rather than fuss. Its wants are few — a sunny spot, soil that drains, and time to settle in.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Tree Onion: