Egyptian Walking Onions

I have an interesting vegetable I am going to talk about. It is an heirloom perennial onion called "Allium x proliferum" or Egyptian walking onion. Other names are Tree Onions, Top Onions, Topset Onions, Winter Onions, or Perennial Onions. The common name walking onion comes from the way the plant will 'walk' across the garden. I received my onions from my mother-in-law many years ago; I thought they were a fascinating plant.

Even though I have been growing them for many years I never used them because I was not sure how.

The plant produces a cluster of bulbils at the top of the stalk. When the cluster gets too heavy it will fall overtake root and so begins its walk across the garden. They only move 2 to 3 feet each year. If you want them to stay in one place just harvest the topsets. All parts of the onion are edible but the bulbs in the ground can be very hot and if you dig these you will have to plant more because once dug, they will not come back. I just let my bulbs in the ground, so I do not lose them but now know more about the care and uses of this interesting plant.

The bulbils can be planted spring, summer, fall, or even winter as long as the ground is not frozen, but fall is the best time to plant.

The bulbils should be planted in full sun but don't just plant in the vegetable garden! Plant in your flower garden, and you will have an interesting conversation plant. Then you can share some of the bulbils with family and friends. Plant the sets 2 inches deep. The bulbils start out green but eventually turn reddish or purple.

Egyptian walking onions taste like regular onions, and all parts are edible. The leaves can be chopped and used like green onions the topsets can be fried, cooked in soups, or used raw in salads. Now that I know how to use them, I will definitely be growing more and sharing with others.

Sharon Miller
Penn State Master Gardener Volunteer