Growing Shallots, also Eschalots

Allium cepa, aggregatum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P           P      

(Best months for growing Shallots in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Plant small bulblets, with stem just showing above ground. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Keep a few for your next planting.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans

Your comments and tips

04 Mar 21, Yet (Australia - temperate climate)
what is the sowing method
05 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you are talking shallot bulbs, dig a furrow with the handle end part of your rake (or whatever) 40-50mm deep, push 3 bulbs into the furrow every 100-150mm. Then push some soil back over them. The top of the bulb should be just under the surface. Give them a good watering. If you like run a little bit fertiliser/Bunnings Rooster Booster in the furrow before planting and scratch it into the soil.
02 Dec 20, Edward (Australia - temperate climate)
Please advise whether could grow shallots in Noble Park Victoria and the best time to cultivate. Please also advise me how to find bulbs for cultivation. Thank you.
04 Dec 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Email me - [email protected] if you want some.
03 Dec 20, Anonymous (Australia - tropical climate)
If you are temperate zone climate - from early Autumn to mid Spring they will germinate.
30 Apr 20, Mike Goodson (Australia - tropical climate)
The Philippines sebuyas tagolog successfully produces small clumping onions in the tropics. I have grown them in PNG.and used them as an onion substitute. Is there a source of planting material in Australia. I live in Cairns
01 May 20, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What I call shallots and grow are similar to these. I looked them up on the internet and mine are similar to a photo that shows a couple of purple bulbs with green leaves. I plant 3 bulbs together and when they grow I end up with 12-15 stalks. I eat them when they are like spring onions. If you let them go they will form bulbs. Keep some bulbs from one year for the next year. I could send you some. email [email protected]
09 Apr 20, Michelle (USA - Zone 8b climate)
When do you plant the shallot seed? Is it recommended to direct sow? If so when? Or is recommended to start indoors (if so when?) and then transplant outside (if so, when?). Thank you
05 Feb 21, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
A true shallot is grown from bulbs. I plant 3 bulbs together. These can then grow into between 10 and 40 stalks. These stalks will form a bulb if left to do so. I generally pick the stalks before they flower and bulb. I leave the plant to bulb if I want bulbs for replanting and I sell the bulbs to Indian and Asian people for cooking. I believe a spring onion doesn't bulb but has a seed head. Scallions are like a spring onion but do not go to seed. They taste a bit like an onion. You can pick these and replant them, cut most of the top off and plant leaving some stalk sticking out of the soil. In some parts of the world shallots are called multiplying onion, potato onions and I'itoi onions.
07 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow a product which I know as multiplying onions. These produce small bulblets on top of growing leaves which I retain for seed. This seed in due course produces a cluster of around 5-6
Showing 11 - 20 of 183 comments

Thanks for the gardening help, tips, and reminders. Very helpful.

- Dan

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.