Scallions are a member of the allium family and are one of the most rewarding and straightforward plants to cultivate at home. They have a mild, fresh onion flavor and do not form a large bulb, making them ideal for harvesting the tender green stalks. Their ability to quickly regrow makes them perfect for continuous, small-space gardening, even for beginners.
Starting Your Scallion Garden
You can begin your scallion patch using two distinct methods: planting from seed or regrowing from store-bought bases. Starting from seed provides the most robust and long-lasting plants, but requires patience as germination can take up to two weeks. Sow the small seeds about a quarter-inch deep in a container filled with a quality, well-draining potting mix. If planting in clumps, which is recommended to help the seedlings support each other, aim for a density of about 10 to 15 seeds per square inch.
Regrowing the bases of store-bought scallions is a faster technique. Cut off the white root end, leaving about an inch of the base intact, and place it root-side down in a small glass with a half-inch of water. Once new roots form, typically within a week, transfer the bases into a pot with soil. Select a pot at least six to eight inches deep to accommodate the shallow root system and provide enough soil volume for sustained growth.
The growing medium should be fertile, loose, and well-draining to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Ensure your container has adequate drainage holes. Position the newly planted bases so the white portion is mostly covered by soil; this anchors the plant and encourages a longer white stem.
Essential Care for Continuous Growth
Scallions require consistent environmental conditions and simple maintenance. The plants thrive best with a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily, or strong supplemental light if grown indoors. Place them in a south-facing window, or use a fluorescent or LED grow light positioned a few inches above the stalks.
Watering should be frequent enough to keep the soil consistently moist, but never soggy. Because scallions have shallow root systems, they can dry out quickly. Check the soil moisture by inserting a finger about an inch deep; if it feels dry, it is time to water. Ensure excess water drains away completely, as overwatering can easily rot the roots.
Scallions benefit from fertilization to replenish nutrients. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month, or use a high-nitrogen feed like a diluted fish emulsion every few weeks to encourage strong leaf growth. Scallions perform best in cooler temperatures, ideally between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but they tolerate warmer conditions if kept adequately watered.
Harvesting Techniques for Maximum Yield
Use the “cut-and-come-again” harvesting method for a continuous supply of scallions. This technique allows the plant to regenerate new growth from the remaining base, maximizing yield without replanting. When the green stalks reach a useable height, typically six to eight inches, use sharp shears or scissors to cut the leaves.
Make your cut about one inch above the root line, leaving the base undisturbed in the soil. This remaining base contains the plant’s growth point and stored energy reserves, allowing it to quickly sprout new green shoots. The regrown shoots are usually ready for a second harvest within one to two weeks, depending on light and temperature conditions.
While the plant regenerates multiple times, subsequent shoots may be thinner as the base’s energy stores deplete. After three to five harvests, or when the new stalks become noticeably spindly and the flavor diminishes, the base is exhausted. Remove the spent base and replace it with a new store-bought scrap or seedling to maintain your continuous harvest cycle.