HeirloomContainer OK

White Lisbon Bunching Onion

Allium fistulosum 'White Lisbon'

The classic European bunching onion prized for its crisp white stems and mild onion flavor. Perfect for continuous harvesting throughout the growing season, these versatile scallions can be harvested young for tender greens or left to mature for thicker stems. A kitchen garden essential that's incredibly easy to grow.

Harvest

60-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for White Lisbon Bunching Onion in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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White Lisbon Bunching Onion · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing1-2 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season

FlavorMild, sweet onion flavor, more delicate than regular onions

ColorWhite stems with dark green tops

Size1/2 inch diameter stems, 12-18 inches tall

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	July – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	July – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	July – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	June – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	June – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	May – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The capsule splits longitudinally and contains small round black seeds.

Type: Capsule.

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh White Lisbon bunching onions store best in the refrigerator wrapped loosely in damp paper towels inside a plastic bag, maintaining quality for 7-10 days. Keep roots attached until use to extend freshness, and trim just before cooking. Unlike storage onions, these are meant for fresh consumption rather than long-term keeping.

For preservation, chopping and freezing works excellently—clean, chop both white and green portions, spread on baking sheets to freeze individually, then transfer to freezer bags. Frozen scallions maintain flavor for 6 months and can go directly into cooked dishes. Dehydrating the green tops creates excellent onion powder when ground, while the white portions pickle beautifully in rice vinegar for Asian-inspired condiments. Quick-blanching whole stems for 30 seconds before freezing preserves color and texture better than freezing raw.

History & Origin

Origin: Northern Hemisphere, North America and Eurasia

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer
+Low maintenance

Considerations

-Toxic (Bark, Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Seeds, Stems): Low severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Carrots

Onions repel carrot flies while carrots help break up soil for onion root development

Tomatoes

Onions deter aphids, spider mites, and hornworms from tomato plants

Lettuce

Onions repel aphids and rabbits that commonly attack lettuce crops

Cabbage

Onions deter cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and flea beetles

Broccoli

Onions repel cabbage moths and aphids that damage brassica family plants

Peppers

Onions help deter aphids and may reduce fungal diseases around pepper plants

Strawberries

Onions repel slugs, aphids, and spider mites that commonly damage strawberry plants

Roses

Onions deter aphids, thrips, and may help prevent black spot fungal disease

Keep Apart

Beans

Onions can inhibit nitrogen fixation and stunt growth of legume plants

Peas

Allelopathic compounds from onions interfere with pea root development and growth

Asparagus

Onions can stunt asparagus growth and reduce spear production over time

Nutrition Facts

Calories

40kcal(2%)

Protein

1.1g(2%)

Fiber

1.7g(6%)

Carbs

9.34g(3%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

7.4mg(8%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

0.4mcg(0%)

Iron

0.21mg(1%)

Calcium

23mg(2%)

Potassium

146mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170000)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good general disease resistance

Common Pests

Onion thrips, aphids, leafminers

Diseases

Downy mildew, purple blotch, rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does White Lisbon bunching onion take to grow?▼

White Lisbon bunching onions are ready for first harvest in 60-70 days for tender scallions, or 90-120 days for thicker, more mature stems. The beauty of this variety is its extended harvest window—you can begin cutting baby onions at 6 weeks and continue harvesting from the same plants for months with proper care.

Can you grow White Lisbon bunching onions in containers?▼

Absolutely! White Lisbon bunching onions are excellent container plants, requiring only 6 inches of soil depth and 2-3 inch spacing. Use a container at least 12 inches wide with drainage holes, fill with quality potting mix, and place in a location receiving 6+ hours of sunlight. Container growing actually makes harvesting easier and helps prevent pest issues.

What's the difference between White Lisbon and regular green onions from the store?▼

White Lisbon is an heirloom variety specifically bred for garden production, offering superior flavor and a longer, more tender white stem than typical grocery store scallions. Store-bought green onions are often immature bulb onions harvested early, while White Lisbon is a true bunching type that doesn't form bulbs and provides continuous harvests.

When should I plant White Lisbon bunching onions?▼

Plant White Lisbon seeds 2-3 weeks before your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F. In most climates, this means mid-March to early April. For continuous harvest, succession plant every 2-3 weeks through summer. In zones 7-9, you can also plant in late summer for winter harvests.

Are White Lisbon bunching onions good for beginners?▼

Yes, White Lisbon is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its forgiving nature, pest resistance, and quick results. The main challenge is patience during germination, which can take up to two weeks in cool soil. Once established, they're nearly maintenance-free and provide obvious signs when ready to harvest.

Do White Lisbon onions need full sun?▼

White Lisbon bunching onions prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade better than most onion varieties. They need minimum 4-5 hours of direct sunlight daily, though 6+ hours produces the best stem development and flavor. In hot climates, afternoon shade can actually prevent stress and bolting during summer months.