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How to Grow Green Onions

Green onions (scallions) are one of the easiest and most rewarding crops you can grow. They're fast, productive, and can even be regrown from kitchen scraps for free! Whether you have a large garden or just a sunny windowsill, you can enjoy fresh green onions year-round. These mild, versatile alliums are perfect for beginners and provide harvests within days when regrowing scraps or weeks when growing from seed.

Difficulty:Very Easy
Time to Harvest:7-90 days
Sun Needs:4-6 hours

Regrow Green Onions from Scraps

The fastest and cheapest way to grow green onions is from kitchen scraps. Here's how:

Water Method (Fastest)

  1. Save root ends (1-2 inches with roots attached)
  2. Place in jar with 1 inch of water
  3. Put in sunny window
  4. Change water every 1-2 days
  5. Harvest greens in 5-7 days
  6. Replant after 3-4 harvests for best results

Soil Method (Better Quality)

  1. Save root ends (1-2 inches with roots)
  2. Plant in potting soil, root end down
  3. Keep soil moist, not wet
  4. Place in sunny spot
  5. Harvest greens in 10-14 days
  6. Soil-grown onions are sturdier and can be harvested more times

Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Allium fistulosum or A. cepa

Also Called: Scallions, spring onions, bunching onions

Seed Depth: 1/4 inch

Germination: 7-14 days

Days to Harvest: 60-90 (seed), 30-45 (sets), 7-14 (scraps)

Plant Spacing: 1-2 inches apart

Container Depth: 4-6 inches minimum

Regrowth: 3-5 harvests per plant

Best Green Onion Varieties

Evergreen Hardy White

Most popular bunching onion. Winter hardy to zone 6. Mild flavor. Divides readily for easy multiplication. Perennial if allowed to go to seed.

Tokyo Long White

Japanese variety with long white stems. Mild, sweet flavor. Excellent for Asian cuisine. Fast-growing and heat-tolerant.

Red Beard

Stunning red stems with green tops. Mild onion flavor. Adds color to dishes. Harvest young for best red coloring.

Container Growing Guide

Green onions are perfect for containers - they have shallow roots and can grow in almost any pot.

Container Requirements

  • Depth: Just 4-6 inches needed
  • Width: 6+ inches (grow multiple plants)
  • Material: Any with drainage holes
  • Density: 16+ per square foot is fine

Indoor Growing Tips

  • Sunny windowsill or grow lights work great
  • 4-6 hours of light is sufficient
  • Keep near kitchen for easy harvesting
  • Rotate pot weekly for even growth

Common Problems

Thin, Weak Stalks

Cause: Overcrowding, insufficient light, or low nitrogen

Solution: Thin plants to 1-2 inches apart. Provide 6+ hours of light. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer (fish emulsion). Harvest outer stalks to give others room.

Yellow Tips

Cause: Nitrogen deficiency, overwatering, or cold damage

Solution: Feed with nitrogen fertilizer. Let soil dry slightly between waterings. Protect from frost. Trim yellow tips - they won't recover.

Rotting Roots (Water Method)

Cause: Stagnant water and bacterial growth

Solution: Change water every 1-2 days. Use clean water. Remove any slimy or rotting roots. Consider switching to soil method for better results.

Onion Thrips

Cause: Tiny insects that suck plant juices

Solution: Spray with water to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap. Remove severely damaged plants. Keep garden clean of debris.

FAQ

Can you regrow green onions from scraps?
Absolutely! Save the white root end (1-2 inches) from store-bought green onions, place in water or soil, and new greens grow in days. You can harvest 3-5 times before quality declines. This is the fastest way to grow green onions.
How long do green onions take to grow?
From seed: 60-90 days to full size. From sets: 30-45 days. From scraps (regrowth): 7-14 days for usable greens. Green onions can be harvested at any size, so timing is flexible based on your needs.
What's the difference between green onions and scallions?
They're the same thing! Green onions, scallions, spring onions, and bunching onions are all names for alliums harvested young before forming a large bulb. 'Green onion' is more common in the US, 'spring onion' in UK.
Do green onions regrow after cutting?
Yes! Cut green onions 1-2 inches above the white part, and new greens will regrow from the center. Each plant can be harvested 3-5 times. Eventually quality declines and you should replant.
Can green onions grow indoors?
Yes, green onions are perfect for indoor growing. They need just 4-6 hours of light, tolerate cool windowsills, and grow in small containers. The regrowth method works great on a kitchen windowsill with just water.
Why are my green onions thin?
Thin green onions result from overcrowding, insufficient light, or nutrient deficiency. Space plants 1-2 inches apart. Provide 6+ hours of light. Feed with nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Thin seedlings early for better growth.
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