// SPECIES PROFILE · FOOD CROP · CULTIVATED

Leek

Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum Group)

Leek (Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum Group)) is a cultivated biennial food crop grown for its edible leaf, stem. Family: Amaryllidaceae (onion family). Originally from Mediterranean & Near East. Hardy in zones 3a–10a. Mature size 2'–3'. Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: Oct–Feb.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Amaryllidaceae (onion family)
Group: crop · biennial
Origin: Mediterranean & Near East · cultivated
USDA zones: Zones 3a–10a
Mature size: 2'–3'
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Edible parts: leaf, stem
Harvest (NE OK): Oct–Feb
Garden role: cold-hardy allium · stands in the ground for fall & winter harvest · deer-resistant

Leek (Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum Group)) — *Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum Group)* — Leek. Photo by Amada44 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: cold-hardy allium · stands in the ground for fall & winter harvest · deer-resistant. A cultivated food crop — not a native — grown alongside regional natives in Rooted Revival's kitchen-garden and food-forest designs. Harvest windows are for northeastern Oklahoma (USDA zone 7a).

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In a kitchen garden or food-forest guild, leek pairs well with: Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), Beet (Beta vulgaris (Conditiva Group)), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea).