How to Grow Shallots and Spring Onions in Australia
True shallots vs spring onions, variety picks, and planting calendars for every region
Shallots and spring onions are kitchen essentials that grow easily in Australian gardens. They take up very little space, need minimal care, and provide months of harvesting. The terms "shallot" and "spring onion" are used differently around Australia, so this guide covers both true shallots and the green-topped onions most people call shallots.
This guide sorts out the different types, the best varieties, and when to plant in your region.
When to Plant in Your Region
Golden Shallot
True shallot with golden-brown skin and mild, sweet flavour. Plant one bulb and harvest a cluster of 6 to 10 bulbs. The gourmet choice for French and Asian cooking. Stores well for months after curing.
Red Shallot
Deep red-skinned true shallot with a rich, slightly sharper flavour than golden types. Excellent pickled, raw in salads, or caramelised. Multiplies well and stores for 3 to 4 months.
Banana Shallot
Large, elongated shallot with pinkish-brown skin. Easier to peel and chop than round shallots. Milder flavour, excellent roasted whole. Becoming popular in Australian gardens.
Spring Onion
The classic green-topped onion used in salads, stir-fries, and as a garnish. Fast-growing from seed (8 to 10 weeks). Sow every 3 to 4 weeks for continuous supply.
Welsh Onion
Perennial bunching onion that never forms a true bulb. Grows as a clump that can be divided endlessly. Evergreen in most climates. Pick stems as needed and the clump regrows.
True Shallots vs Spring Onions
In most of Australia, "shallot" and "spring onion" are used interchangeably for the green-topped onion you buy in bunches. But true shallots are a different thing entirely.
- True shallots are grown from bulbs (like garlic). You plant one bulb and it multiplies into a cluster. They have a mild, complex flavour prized in cooking. They are cured and stored like onions.
- Spring onions are grown from seed. They grow fast, have a white base and green tops, and are harvested young before forming a bulb. They are eaten fresh, not stored.
- Welsh onions are perennial bunching onions. They never form a bulb and regrow from the base after cutting. Plant them once and harvest for years.
Planting Method
True shallots
Plant bulbs in autumn, 2 cm deep with the pointed end up, spaced 15 cm apart. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Harvest when the tops yellow and fall over (usually late spring to early summer). Cure in a warm, airy spot for 2 weeks before storing.
Spring onions
Sow seeds directly 1 cm deep in rows 15 cm apart. Thin seedlings to 3 cm apart. Spring onions grow quickly and can be harvested in 8 to 10 weeks. Succession sow every 3 to 4 weeks so you always have some ready.
Welsh onions
Plant seeds or divide existing clumps in spring or autumn. Space 15 cm apart. They form expanding clumps over time. Divide every 2 to 3 years to keep plants vigorous.
Common Problems
Onion thrips
Tiny insects that cause silvery streaking on leaves. Spray with neem oil or soapy water. Reflective mulch (silver or aluminium) deters thrips by confusing them.
Downy mildew
Purple-grey fuzz on leaves, worst in cool, damp weather. Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and remove affected leaves.
Bolting
Shallots and spring onions bolt (flower) in response to temperature fluctuations. Spring-planted shallots are more likely to bolt than autumn-planted ones. Remove flower stalks as soon as they appear.
Track Your Shallot Growing
Add shallots and spring onions to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting and harvest time.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant shallots in Australia?
Plant true shallot bulbs in autumn (March to May). Sow spring onion seeds almost year-round in most regions, though they grow best in the cooler months. Welsh onions can be planted in spring or autumn.
What is the difference between shallots and spring onions?
True shallots grow from bulbs and multiply into clusters. They are cured and stored like onions. Spring onions grow from seed, are harvested young with green tops, and eaten fresh. In Australia, the terms are often used interchangeably.
How long do shallots take to grow?
True shallots take 4 to 6 months from planting to harvest. Spring onions are much faster at 8 to 10 weeks from seed. Welsh onions are perennial and can be harvested continuously once established.
Can I grow spring onions in pots?
Spring onions and Welsh onions grow very well in pots. Use a container at least 15 cm deep. Sow seeds densely and harvest by pulling individual stems as needed.
See also: Shallots in the Plant Library
