How to grow Spring Onion in Australia
Spring onions, also called green onions, scallions or, in New South Wales, shallots, are slim onions eaten green, with a small white base and hollow leaves. They are one of the easiest crops: they grow for most of the year in most regions, fit into the smallest spaces, and can even be regrown from the bases of a bought bunch.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Spring Onions in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | All year | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | All year | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | All year | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | All year | |
| Adelaide & SA | All year | |
| Perth & WA | All year | |
| Tasmania | August to March | Sow Aug to Mar. Stands through winter once established. |
| Canberra & ACT | August to April | Sow Aug to Apr. Winter sowing fails in frozen soil but established clumps stand all winter. |
| North Queensland | April to October | Dry season Apr to Oct. The SEQ year-round timing fails here; rows rot in monsoon rain Dec to Mar. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to August | Dry season May to Aug, as the NT Government sowing calendar lists. Rows rot in monsoon rain. |
Not to be confused with: Shallot, the true shallot, which forms clusters of small brown or golden bulbs. In New South Wales spring onions are often called shallots.
Where to plant
Spring onions like full sun and loose, fertile, well-drained soil with compost dug in. In hot weather, shelter from the afternoon sun stops the leaves wilting. They take up little room and fit along bed edges, between slower crops and in small pots.
Like all onions, they rot in waterlogged soil, so avoid low, wet spots and do not grow them where white rot has appeared.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth: sow at any time of year.
- Hobart: sow from August to March. Established plants stand through winter.
- Canberra: sow from August to April. Winter sowings fail in frozen soil, but established clumps stand all winter.
- North Queensland: sow in the dry season, from April to October, as rows rot in monsoon rain.
- Darwin: sow from May to August, as the NT Government sowing calendar lists.
How to plant
- Make shallow furrows about 0.5 to 1 cm deep and about 15 cm apart.
- Sow the seed thinly along the furrow, cover lightly and water in.
- Keep the soil moist until the seedlings are up, usually in five to ten days.
- Thin seedlings to about 5 to 10 cm apart, or leave small clumps to pull together.
- Sow a short row every few weeks for a steady supply.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not wet, more often in hot weather. Even moisture gives tender, mild stems.
Feed with a liquid fertiliser every few weeks for steady leafy growth.
Pruning and care through the year
- Weed by hand, as the thin leaves do not shade out weeds.
- For longer white stems, draw a little soil up around the base as the plants grow.
- Remove any flower heads that form, unless you want to save seed.
Harvesting
You can snip leaves from about three weeks after sowing and they will regrow. For whole spring onions, pull plants at about eight to ten weeks, once the white base has thickened. Loosen the soil first and pull straight up.
Or cut the plants about 2 cm above the soil and leave the roots to regrow for another harvest. Spring onions keep up to a week in the fridge wrapped in a damp cloth.
Growing in pots
Spring onions are ideal for pots and troughs at least 15 to 20 cm deep and wide, with a quality potting mix. Keep the mix moist and give them a sunny spot with afternoon shade in summer.
Using it
Use spring onions raw in salads, salsas and dressings, sliced over noodles, soups and stir-fries, or grilled whole. Both the white base and the green leaves are eaten.
Regrowing from a bought bunch
Cut a bought bunch where the white and green meet and use the green tops in the kitchen. Plant the white bases, roots and all, in soil or a pot with the tips just showing, and water them in. New leaves appear within a couple of weeks.
Companion planting
Spring onions are slim and quick, so they tuck in between most crops. As with all onions, keep them away from peas and beans.
Good companions
- Carrot A classic pairing in the same bed; both like loose, well-drained soil.
- Lettuce A quick, shallow crop that shares the space and is picked on a similar timetable.
- Tomato Spring onions fit around the base of tomatoes and use the space before the tomatoes fill out.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to spring onion.
Pests and diseases
Spring onions have few problems and are usually harvested before pests build up.
Pests to watch for
- Thrips Silvery streaks and pale flecks on the leaves in warm, dry weather.
- Aphids Small insects clustered on the leaves.
- Slugs Seedlings eaten off at ground level.
Diseases to watch for
- Downy mildew Pale, fuzzy patches on the leaves in cool, damp weather.
- White rot Yellowing plants with fluffy white growth at the base. It stays in the soil for years, so do not grow the onion family there again.
Common questions
Are spring onions and shallots the same?
In New South Wales spring onions are often called shallots, but true shallots are a different crop that forms clusters of small bulbs. Spring onions are eaten green, before they form a bulb.
When can I plant spring onions?
All year in most regions, from August to March or April in Hobart and Canberra, and in the dry season in the tropics. Pick your region at the top of the page for the months.
Can I regrow spring onions from the supermarket?
Yes. Cut the bunch where the white and green meet, plant the white bases with their roots in soil or a pot, and water them in. They reshoot within a couple of weeks.
How long do spring onions take to grow?
You can snip leaves from about three weeks after sowing. Whole plants are ready to pull at about eight to ten weeks.
Can I grow spring onions in a pot?
Yes, they are one of the best pot crops. Use a pot at least 15 to 20 cm deep, keep the mix moist and feed every few weeks.
Why are my spring onions falling over?
Usually heat or dry soil makes the leaves flop. Water regularly and give them shade from hot afternoon sun. Plants that have flowered also go tough and fall over.
Sources we checked: Yates: How to grow spring onions; Gardening Australia: Viewer's tip, propagating spring onions.