Growing spring onions in Western Australia

Page last updated: Wednesday, 21 October 2015 - 8:04am

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Spring onions are grown mainly on the Swan Coastal Plain for the Western Australian local market. They differ from shallots and bulb onions as they have small enlarged bulbs with straight, hollow leaves and a distinct white 'stem'. The 'stem' is the main edible part.

They prefer a slightly acid soil. There are no serious root diseases in Western Australia.  Regular watering is needed due to their small root system.

Spring onions are produced all year and are usually packed as bunches after harvest.

Introduction

Spring onions (Allium fistulosum) are characterised by slightly enlarged bulbs, with straight, hollow leaves and a distinct white 'stem' consisting of a collection of leaf bases. The type grown in Australia does not produce offshoots. The 'stem' is the main edible part of the plant.

Spring onions are  different from shallots (Allium cepa, aggregatum group) and the bulb onion (Allium cepa, cepa group). However, some varieties of bulb onion are sold as spring onions if harvested when the bulb is immature and the leaves are intact.

The crop is grown on the Swan Coastal Plain for the domestic market.

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Contact information

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080