Walk, don’t run, to see our walking onions (Allium × proliferum) in the Kitchen Garden at The Leaf! Learn more about this interesting plant, how it gets its name, and how you can grow your own at home.

Basics: Allium × proliferum is a perennial plant, meaning it'll return year after year. They grow up to 2 feet tall on hollow green stalks and are exceptionally hardy, thriving in Zones 3 to 9, making them well suited to Manitoba's climate. They grow best in full sun with well-draining soil and regular watering.

How They Got Their Name: Instead of producing flowers, walking onions develop clusters of small bulbils at the tops of their stalks. As these bulbils grow larger and heavier, the stalk bends toward the ground. When the bulbils touch the soil, they can take root and grow into new plants nearby. Over time, this creates the appearance that the onions are "walking" through the garden.

How to Use Them: Every part of the plant is edible, from the green stalks to the underground bulbs and top-growing bulbils. Their flavour is similar to traditional onions, making them a versatile addition to the kitchen. Try them chopped fresh, sautéed, roasted, or pickled. At The Leaf, we harvest our walking onions for use at Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, where they may be featured as garnishes or preserved for future dishes.

Tips to Grow Them at Home: When planting these low maintenance plants, give them space so they have room to walk! Remember that they are perennials, so they will come back in the following spring. They do well in short garden beds with their shallow root systems.

Fun Fact: Walking onions are also known as Egyptian onions, tree onions, or topsetting onions. While the exact origin of the name "Egyptian onion" remains unclear, their unique growth habit has made them a garden favourite for generations.

Visit the Kitchen Garden at The Leaf to see these remarkable plants before they “walk” away for the season.

Want to watch our video on walking onions with our Outdoor Horticultural Supervisor Craig? Visit our Instagram!