How to grow spring onion in Australia
Also known as: Scallion, Green Onion
Spring onions (also called green onions or scallions) are the fastest, easiest, and most forgiving allium in the garden. They're ready in 8–10 weeks from seed, grow year-round in most Australian climates, and produce continuously if you cut rather than uproot them. They take pot growing easily, regrow from kitchen scraps, and provide the green allium flavour you actually use most in cooking. If you only grow one allium, spring onions are the best return on effort.
When to plant
Spring onions are remarkably climate-flexible — they grow in most conditions short of frost or extreme heat.
March to October. Avoid the wettest, most humid months. Spring onions handle dry-season conditions easily.
February to October. Productive across most of the cooler season. The hottest summer weeks slow them down but don't stop them.
Year-round in mild coastal areas. Plant succession crops every 6–8 weeks for continuous harvest.
August to May. Spring onions tolerate Melbourne frosts but growth slows dramatically in mid-winter. Aim for plantings that mature before the coldest months, or accept slower growth from winter plantings.
September to April. Winter is too cold for active growth, but established plants survive heavy frost and resume growing in spring.
March to October. Avoid peak summer heat. Mulch heavily and water consistently.
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Open the full planting calendar →How to plant
Spring onions are direct-sown from seed in the garden bed where they'll grow, or grown from seedlings.
Spacing: 5cm between plants in rows 15cm apart. Closer spacing produces thinner stems; wider produces fatter ones.
Depth: Sow seeds 5–8mm deep. Just barely covered.
Soil: Free-draining soil with reasonable compost content. Spring onions aren't fussy.
Succession planting: Sow a small batch every 3–4 weeks for continuous harvest. A pot or row sown every month means there's always some at harvest size.
Kitchen-scrap regrowth: Spring onions will regrow from the white root end after you cut off the green tops. Stand the root end in a glass of water on a windowsill — new green shoots appear within days. Plant the regrown end in soil for a longer-lived plant.
Pots, raised beds, or in-ground?
Spring onions are one of the most pot-friendly vegetables you can grow.
In-ground works for larger plantings.
Raised beds suit spring onions well, particularly as an "edging" crop around larger vegetables.
Pots are arguably the ideal home. A 20cm pot supports a productive cluster of 15–20 spring onions. They don't need much depth — a wide shallow pot works better than a narrow deep one. Multiple succession pots of spring onions on a balcony or kitchen window provide continuous supply with minimal space. Use a good quality potting mix and water regularly.
Sunlight & water
Full sun to part shade — 4 to 8 hours daily. Spring onions tolerate shade better than most vegetables.
Water consistently. They wilt fast when dry but recover quickly once watered.
When and how to harvest
Harvest by cutting green tops with scissors, leaving the white root end in the ground or pot — it will regrow within 10–14 days, giving you 2–3 harvests from each plant before they need replacing.
For larger spring onions with substantial white stems, pull the whole plant when stems are 1cm thick — usually 8–10 weeks from sowing.
Best used fresh. Don't store more than a few days in the fridge.
Common problems
Spring onions have remarkably few problems. The main issues are:
Bolting in hot weather. Plants flower, the centre stem becomes tough, leaves get tougher. Harvest what you can and start a new batch.
Thrips in hot dry weather. Silver streaks on leaves. Strong water spray; insecticidal soap if persistent.
Slow winter growth in cool climates is normal — not a problem to solve.
Companion planting
Plant near: Carrots, beetroot, brassicas, tomato, capsicum, herbs.
Keep away from: Peas and beans (allium-legume interaction).
Australian varieties
White Lisbon — Classic bunching spring onion. White stems, dark green tops. Reliable across all climates.
Welsh Onion — Perennial bunching onion. Doesn't form bulbs; produces clusters of green stems year after year from a single planting. Excellent for permanent beds.
Red Spring Onion — Red-tinged stems. Same growing habits as white types. Decorative and slightly milder flavour.
Evergreen Long White Bunching — Heritage variety, very long white stems, sweet flavour. Heritage seed suppliers.
Pet safety
Pet safety information is provided as a general guide only. If your pet has consumed any plant material, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 immediately.