// SPECIES PROFILE · FOOD CROP · CULTIVATED

Onion

Allium cepa

Onion (Allium cepa) is a cultivated biennial food crop grown for its edible bulb, leaf. Family: Amaryllidaceae (onion family). Originally from Central Asia. Hardy in zones 3a–10a. Mature size 1'–2'. Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: Jun–Jul.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Amaryllidaceae (onion family)
Group: crop · biennial
Origin: Central Asia · cultivated
USDA zones: Zones 3a–10a
Mature size: 1'–2'
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Edible parts: bulb, leaf
Harvest (NE OK): Jun–Jul
Garden role: short- & intermediate-day bulbs for Oklahoma · set out Feb–Mar · pest-confusing border

Onion (Allium cepa) — *Allium cepa* — Onion. Photo by Colin via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: short- & intermediate-day bulbs for Oklahoma · set out Feb–Mar · pest-confusing border. 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, onion pairs well with: Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), Beet (Beta vulgaris (Conditiva Group)), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group)).