How to Grow Walking Onions

Walking onions are hardy perennial onions that can return and multiply year after year. Also known as Egyptian walking onions or tree onions, they produce clusters of small bulbs, often called topsets or bulbils, at the top of their stalks.

As the topsets mature, the stalk may bend toward the ground. When the topsets make contact with the soil, they can take root and form new plants — giving walking onions their unusual name.

With a sunny location and well-drained soil, walking onions are an easy and rewarding addition to the home garden.

When to Plant Walking Onions

Walking onion bulbs and topsets can be planted in spring or fall.

Fall planting allows the onions to begin establishing roots before winter, while spring-planted onions have the growing season ahead of them to become established.

Growth and timing will vary depending on your climate, planting time, and the size of the bulb or topset you are planting.

How to Plant Walking Onions

Choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil.

Plant bulbs or topsets approximately 1–2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing upward.

Space individual plants approximately 6–8 inches apart. If planting in rows, allow approximately 12–18 inches between rows.

Water after planting to help settle the soil around the bulbs.

Sun, Soil & Water

Walking onions grow best in full sun, although they can tolerate some partial shade.

Good drainage is especially important. Avoid planting in areas where water regularly collects or the soil remains soggy.

Keep newly planted onions moderately moist while they establish. Once established, walking onions are relatively low maintenance but may benefit from watering during extended dry periods.

Growing Walking Onions in Containers

Walking onions can also be grown in containers, making them a good option for patios, decks, and smaller gardens.

Choose a container with good drainage and enough room for the onions to multiply. Use a well-draining potting mix and place the container where the plants will receive plenty of sunlight.

Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than onions growing directly in the garden.

What to Expect After Planting

Don't be concerned if a newly planted walking onion doesn't immediately produce tall stalks and topsets.

The plant first needs to establish its root system and underground bulb. Growth rate can vary considerably depending on planting material, planting time, weather, and growing conditions.

As the plant becomes established, it can develop stronger growth and eventually produce the distinctive topsets for which walking onions are known.

How Walking Onions Multiply

Walking onions can multiply both underground and above ground.

Underground bulbs can divide and create additional plants around the original onion. Mature plants can also produce clusters of topsets at the ends of their stalks.

Those topsets can be harvested and planted elsewhere, or they can be allowed to remain on the plant. As a mature stalk bends toward the ground, the topsets may take root and begin another group of onions.

This natural spreading habit is how walking onions can gradually develop into a perennial patch.

Harvesting Walking Onions

One of the unique features of walking onions is that multiple parts of the plant are edible.

The green leaves can be harvested and used similarly to green onions or scallions. Underground bulbs can also be harvested, and mature topsets are edible as well.

If you want your walking onion patch to expand, leave some plants and topsets unharvested so they can continue multiplying.

Winter Care

Walking onions are cold-hardy perennial onions and established plants can remain in the garden through winter.

Green growth may die back or become damaged during cold weather. The underground bulbs remain in the soil and can produce fresh growth when conditions become favorable again.

A layer of mulch can provide additional protection for newly planted onions and help moderate soil temperatures during winter.

Do Walking Onions Come Back Every Year?

Yes. Walking onions are perennial onions.

Once established, the underground bulbs can remain in the garden and produce new growth year after year. They can also multiply over time, allowing a small original planting to gradually develop into a larger patch.

A Unique Perennial for the Home Garden

Walking onions are a great choice for gardeners looking for an unusual, edible perennial that doesn't need to be replanted every year.

Give them sunlight, good drainage, and time to establish, and they can become a long-lasting part of your garden.