To grow green onions, sow seeds ¼–½ inch deep in fertile, well-drained soil, keep the soil evenly moist, and thin seedlings to about 1–2 inches apart for a compact harvest. You can grow them in a garden bed or in a pot at least 6 inches deep with drainage. Harvest the greens when they are large enough to use; timing depends on variety and growing conditions.
What counts as a green onion?
“Green onion,” “scallion,” and “bunching onion” are often used interchangeably, but labels can refer to different types of onions. Some are ordinary onions harvested young; bunching onions are grown specifically for their green tops. Check the variety description and local growing guidance before choosing seeds or sets. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources explains onion types and growing guidance at Onions.
Choose seeds, sets, or transplants
| Starting method | What to know |
|---|---|
| Seeds | Offer the greatest choice of varieties. Sow directly outdoors or start according to the seed packet and local planting window. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Sets | Can provide a quick, convenient green-onion crop. Larger onion sets are suited to green onions, but may bolt if left to grow. University of Illinois Extension |
| Transplants | Another option where available; choose varieties and planting dates suited to your region. Utah State University Extension |
Prepare a bed or container
Choose a sunny location and fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Green onions have shallow roots, so avoid letting the soil dry out during growth. For a container, Oregon State University Extension Service recommends a pot at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes; a sunny outdoor spot or bright indoor window can work. See its bunching onion guidance.
Add organic matter if the soil needs improvement. Do not assume a particular fertilizer is required: Utah State University Extension recommends basing fertilizer decisions on a soil test. In containers, use a growing medium that drains while retaining enough moisture for steady growth.
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- Allium Fisulosum: These finest quality, non-GMO, USDA Organic Bunching Evergreen Onion seeds produce tall, green onions with silvery white stalks. Their mild flavor provides a clean, crisp addition to both fresh and cooked dishes.
- Make the Most of Your Spacing: Bunching onions are great space savers. They can be sown in neat rows; but they also work well in containers, or as companion plants around flowerbeds, vegetable patches and garden edges. Wherever you plant them just make sure the soil is well drained; and there's plenty of sunlight.
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How deep do you plant green onion seeds?
Sow seeds about ¼–½ inch deep. You can sow them thickly in a row or in a close band, then thin the seedlings after they emerge. Water gently after sowing and keep the soil surface evenly moist while seeds establish.
How far apart should scallions be planted?
For a compact crop of young green onions, thin seedlings to about 1–2 inches apart. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources recommends thinning or transplanting to 2 inches; the University of Minnesota describes sowing in a 2-inch-wide band and thinning to one plant per inch. Wider spacing, such as the 4 inches in Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension’s fact sheet, can suit larger plants. These are different growing approaches rather than one universal spacing rule.
Rank #2
- Beautiful - Large full color packet of Tokyo Long White Bunching Onion (Allium var. ‘Tokyo Long White’) seeds. Japanese green onions with mildly sweet flavored leaves and white flesh. Heat tolerant and ideal for summer or fall harvest, offering flexibility and ensuring a continuous supply of fresh bunching onions straight to your kitchen! Minimum of 500 mg per packet (about 225 seeds).
- Productive - Germinates in 10-14 days when soil temps are 68-75°F. Plant 1/4” deep and space 1-2” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 14-24” tall. Matures in 65-95 days, plant in USDA zones 3-10.
- Fresh Green Onions On Hand - These bunching onions offer a mild yet distinctive flavor, perfect as a garnish or ingredient. Whether you're whipping up an omelet, a salad, or a stir-fry, these home-grown onions will ensure each meal you create is rich in flavor and packed with freshness that only homegrown produce can provide!
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
Care for green onions as they grow
- Water consistently: Keep soil evenly moist, not waterlogged. University of Minnesota Extension offers a regional rule of thumb: give plants a thorough weekly soak when rainfall is under 1 inch, and water more often in sandy soil. Adjust for your weather and soil rather than treating this as a fixed schedule.
- Weed gently: Onions compete poorly with weeds, and their shallow roots can be disturbed by aggressive cultivation. Remove weeds carefully while they are small.
- Use mulch if helpful: A light layer can help retain moisture around shallow roots, as UC Agriculture and Natural Resources advises.
If you want longer white stems, lightly hill loose soil around the plants when the tops are about 4 inches tall, following the method described by University of Illinois Extension. This is optional. Avoid hilling if local onion guidance warns that it may encourage rot, and do not use this method for onions you intend to grow for storage bulbs.
Can you grow green onions in a pot?
Yes. Use a container at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes, place it in a sunny outdoor position or a bright indoor window, and keep the potting medium evenly moist. A container is useful where garden space is limited, but it may dry out faster than a bed, so check it regularly. Oregon State’s bunching onion guidance covers container growing.
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- Cold Hardy Bunching Onion: Evergreen white onions seeds produce non-bulbing scallions fresh green onions to 12 inches tall. Perennial onions white tolerate light frost and overwinter well in USDA zones 3–12 outdoor garden.
- Slow Bolt Heirloom Variety: Bunching onion seeds resist PR, thrips, and smut while remaining slow to bolt. Ideal for green onions, scallions, and spring onion harvests across long growing seasons.
- Flexible Planting Options: These garden seeds can be started indoors 2–3 months before last frost or direct sown outdoors at 1/4 inch deep. Green onion seeds can be harvested anywhere from 60 to 120 days.
- Reliable Germination & Spacing: Onion white germinate in 7–14 days in moist soil in indoor garden. Thin or transplant heirloom seeds to 3 inches apart for strong white onion fresh stalk growth.
- Continuous Harvest Use: Scallion seeds allow harvest from 60–120 days for mild to stronger flavor. Bunching onions do not store long term but excel for fresh green scallions and cooking.
When are green onions ready to harvest?
Harvest when the plants are a useful size. About 6 inches of top growth is a practical cue in guidance from Illinois Extension and Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources gives a maturity indicator of ¼–½ inch in diameter and roughly 60–80 days from seeding; Utah State University Extension says green onions may be harvested as early as 50 days after seeding in its 2020 guidance. These are estimates from different locations and methods, not a guarantee for every variety or garden.
Pull the whole plant when you want the entire onion. For bunching onions, Oregon State University Extension Service says you can cut leaves as needed and they may grow back several times during the growing season. That regrowth guidance applies to bunching onions and cutting leaves; it should not be assumed for every onion variety or harvest method.
Rank #4
- Heirloom Cold Hardy Variety: Evergreen bunching onion seeds produce tender perennial plants in Hardiness Zones 2–9. Ideal green onion seeds for planting outdoors in a home garden or raised beds.
- Fast Reliable Germination: Heirloom onion seeds germinate in 7–10 days at 66–70°F. Sow green onion seed at 0.25 inch depth, spacing 2–4 inches apart for strong bunching onions growth.
- Productive Non-Bulbing Stalks: These bunching onion seeds grow 14–24 inches tall with slender white stems and crisp green tops. Perfect heirloom seeds for planting in spring or fall.
- Versatile Planting Options: Start onion seeds for planting indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct sow. Excellent vegetable seeds for planting outdoors in rows 12–15 inches apart.
- Culinary & Garden Value: Green onions seeds for planting home garden provide mild, crisp flavor in 65–120 days. Use fresh or cooked; attractive border plant in vegetable garden beds.
When should you plant green onions?
Planting windows depend on your region, variety, and growing conditions. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources describes March–October planting for staggered harvests in its California guidance. Oregon State University Extension Service provides different windows for coastal, valley, and eastern Oregon. Those calendars are regional, not national schedules. Use your seed packet and local extension recommendations to choose dates for your area.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Productive - Green Onions germinate in 10-14 days when soil temps are 68-75°F. Plant 1/4” deep and space 1-2” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 10-14” tall with a spread of 1”. This variety will mature in 60-70 days, plant in USDA zones 2-9.
- Fresh Green Onion On Hand - The smell and taste of fresh herbs is amazing. Use these Heshiko Bunching Japanese Onions to add a mild onion flavor to your favorite foods.
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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