Also known as Ornamental Onion · 2.1k gardener saves
Allium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Allium, the genus most gardeners know as ornamental onion. We track 56 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Allium varieties
Of 56 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMillennium Gold Onion Moly Onion
Allium x moly 'Millenium'
#2 most savedDrumstick Allium, Round-headed Leek
Allium sphaerocephalon
#3 most savedPurple Sensation Allium
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'
Blue Eddy Allium
Allium senescens 'Blue Eddy'
Ornamental Onion 'Ambassador'
Allium cybum 'Ambassador'
Globemaster Allium
Allium giganteum 'Globemaster'
Millennium Ornamental Onion
Allium millenium
Summer Beauty Ornamental Onion
Allium x moly 'Summer Beauty'
Lavender Bubbles Ornamental Onion
Allium x hollandicum 'Lavender Bubbles'
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Giant Onion Mix
Allium giant 'Mix'
Allium Little Sapphire
Allium x hybrida 'Little Sapphire'
Browse all 56 Allium varieties →
How to grow Allium
What the Allium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Allium year
- PlantSeptember–November90% of varieties
Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in well-drained soil during fall
- FertilizeFebruary and March80% of varieties
Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer as new shoots emerge in spring
- DivideAugust and September48% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-4 years after foliage dies back
- DeadheadMay and June43% of varieties
Remove spent flower heads, but leave foliage until it yellows naturally
- HarvestMay–August43% of varieties
Harvest when tops yellow and fall over; cure bulbs in a dry, shaded spot
- Spring CleanupFebruary33% of varieties
Remove old, dead foliage before new shoots emerge
Do
- Water regularly during active growth 🌱
- Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Water consistently during dry spells 💧
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Overwater to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Do not plant in heavy clay soil without amendment
What goes wrong with Allium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Onion Maggot | Wilting and rotting bulbs | Use beneficial nematodes or apply insecticidal soap |
| Onion maggot | Wilting and rotting bulbs | Apply beneficial nematodes or crop rotation |
| Onion Maggots | Stunted growth and rotting bulbs | Use crop rotation and organic beneficial nematodes |
| Gray Mold | Gray fuzzy mold on leaves and bulbs | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Downy Mildew | Grayish-purple fuzzy growth on leaves, followed by yellowing. | Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Fungicides are rarely necessary. |
| Downy mildew | Grey mold on leaves | Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering |
Making more Allium
Division
- Divide mature clumps in early fall (6 weeks).
- Replant divisions immediately in well-drained soil.
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after flowering
- Sow in seed-starting mix indoors in early spring
- Keep moist and provide bright light for germination
Allium questions
How many types of Allium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 56 distinct Allium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 2.1k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Allium grow in?
Across its varieties, Allium covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Allium bloom?
Most Allium varieties bloom in mid-summer, late spring to early summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Allium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Allium shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Allium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
