Guest post by Katrina & Clayton
Egyptian walking onions (Allium × proliferum) are one of the most reliable and intriguing perennial vegetables you can grow in a Scottish garden. Known for producing small bulbils at the top of their stems rather than seeds, these onions appear to “walk” across the garden as the stems bend and re-root. Exceptionally hardy, low maintenance, and productive year after year, Egyptian walking onions thrive in cool climates and provide edible harvests almost all year round. For gardeners seeking resilience, sustainability and flavour, they are an excellent addition to raised beds, food forests and kitchen gardens across Scotland.
One of the most appealing aspects of Egyptian walking onions is that almost every part of the plant is edible. The green leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and used much like spring onions or chives. They have a mild but distinct onion flavour and are excellent in salads, soups and omelettes.
The underground bulbs are smaller than traditional onions but have a stronger taste and are well suited to cooking. The bulbils produced at the top of the stems are also edible and can be used like small onions or garlic cloves. Even the flower stems are tender when young and can be sliced into stir-fries. This multi purpose harvest makes walking onions a highly productive plant in small spaces.
Growing Conditions and Soil
Egyptian walking onions are ideally suited to Scotland’s climate. They are fully frost hardy, surviving temperatures well below freezing and are tolerant of wind and wet weather when grown in well drained soil. These onions prefer full sun, although they will still grow satisfactorily in light shade, particularly in sheltered garden locations.
Soil quality is more important than warmth. Walking onions grow best in fertile, moisture retentive but free draining soil. Heavy clay soils, common in many parts of Scotland, should be improved with organic matter such as garden compost or well rotted manure to prevent waterlogging. While they are forgiving plants, consistently soggy soil can lead to bulb rot. A slightly raised bed or ridge planting can significantly improve drainage and plant health.
Planting Times in Scotland
One of the great advantages of Egyptian walking onions is their flexible planting season. They can be planted in Autumn, Winter, or early Spring, making them ideal for year round garden planning. In Scotland, planting small bulbs from September through to March works well, provided the soil is not frozen solid or waterlogged.
Autumn planting allows roots to establish before Winter, resulting in strong growth in Spring. Winter planting is also possible during milder spells and is particularly useful for succession planting. They should be planted shallowly, with the pointed end facing up and just covered with soil. Space plants around 20–25 cm apart to allow for spreading over time. We have ours across the food forest floor, only planted last year so just getting established.
Pruning & Dividing
Pruning requirements for Egyptian walking onions are minimal, but light management improves productivity. During the growing season, you can harvest green leaves regularly, which encourages fresh growth and prevents plants becoming top heavy. Removing damaged or yellowing foliage helps maintain airflow and reduces the risk of disease.
Once the stems produce bulbils and begin to topple, you can either allow them to re-root naturally or cut them back and harvest the bulbils for eating or replanting elsewhere. In late Autumn, old or dying foliage can be trimmed back to ground level, although many gardeners leave it in place for Winter protection.
Unlike many perennial plants, Egyptian walking onions do not require traditional division. Instead, they naturally multiply through bulbils and underground bulbs. Over time, clumps can become crowded, particularly in fertile soil. When this happens, lifting and separating the underground bulbs every few years helps maintain vigour.
The best time to thin or divide clumps is in early Spring or Autumn. Lift carefully with a fork to avoid damaging bulbs, then replant the strongest ones and share or re-site the extras. This natural method of propagation makes walking onions exceptionally sustainable and easy to maintain.
Caring for Egyptian Walking Onions
Egyptian walking onions are remarkably low maintenance, making them ideal for busy gardeners or low input growing systems. Watering is only necessary during prolonged dry spells, particularly in their first year. Once established, they are largely self-sufficient in Scotland’s climate.
Mulching in Spring with compost or leaf mould helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil fertility. These onions are highly resistant to pests and diseases, including onion fly, making them a reliable crop even in challenging seasons.
For planting and establishment, Egyptian walking onions require loose, well-drained soil to allow roots to develop quickly. Incorporating compost at planting time improves soil structure and nutrient availability. During active growth in Spring and Summer, soil should remain consistently moist but never waterlogged. Caledonian Green Goodness or Caledonian Kelpie Compost would work well.
Companion Planting
Egyptian walking onions are excellent companion plants and fit well into mixed planting schemes. Their strong scent helps deter pests such as aphids and carrot fly, making them beneficial when planted near carrots, beetroot, lettuce and brassicas. They are particularly effective in permaculture and food forest systems, where their perennial nature reduces soil disturbance.
They also pair well with strawberries, herbs and leafy greens, as their upright growth takes up minimal space. Avoid planting them too close to legumes, as onions can inhibit the growth of beans and peas. With thoughtful placement, walking onions contribute to healthier, more resilient garden ecosystems.
Growing Egyptian Walking Onions in Scotland
For best results in Scotland, plant walking onions in a sunny, sheltered location with improved drainage. Allow space for natural spreading or manage bulbils actively to prevent overcrowding. Harvest regularly to encourage fresh growth and maintain plant balance.
Using these onions as a perennial crop reduces the need for annual replanting and fits well with sustainable gardening practices. Their resilience to cold, minimal pest issues and multiple edible harvests make them one of the most dependable allium crops for Scottish gardens. Offering year round interest, exceptional hardiness and a wide range of edible uses. Whether grown in raised beds, kitchen gardens or food forests, they provide reliable harvests with very little input.
Katrina & Clayton
Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.
They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine. Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.
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