King Richard

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add King Richard to a garden.

Sweet, mild, and deeply aromatic—King Richard leeks bring a tender, silken bite with a clean green perfume that lingers pleasantly.

At maturity, the long, well-filled stalks form a firm yet yielding texture, ideal for turning into comforting favorites where their gentle flavor shines. Grow this heirloom for reliable, market-ready size and a graceful presence in the garden from early summer through fall.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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King Richard Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Jul 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	Apr 17th	Jul 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	Apr 17th	Jul 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	Apr 21st	Jul 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	Apr 17th	Jul 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	Apr 15th	Jun 29th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 6th	Jun 20th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	Jun 17th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Mar 28th	Jun 11th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Mar 13th	May 27th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 4th	May 18th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Feb 23rd	May 9th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 6th	Apr 22nd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Jan 12th	Mar 28th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

King Richard leeks give you a sweet, perfumed green flavor that stays mild even when cooked down, with a stalk that turns silken without collapsing. They’re a go-to when you want allium character—aromatic, not bitey—so the finishing butter, thyme, or Parmesan can wrap it cleanly.

Best Uses

butter-steamed leeks that melt into a glossy side dish
creamy leek soup (especially when you want the flavor to stay sweet, not sharp)
braises/roasts where the layers soften while keeping a neat bite
tart filling or gratin where leeks need to hold shape in the heat

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild allium flavor deep aromatic green perfume tender, silken bite with firm stalk structure

Kitchen Pairings

butter cream black pepper thyme parmesan chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium porrum (leeks) like ‘King Richard,’ and what should I do?

Leeks (Allium porrum) are especially prone to leek rust (orange-brown pustules on leaves) and leaf blight, which often show up as brown lesions that spread in humid weather. Remove and destroy affected leaves early, increase airflow between plants, and avoid overhead watering—water at the base instead; if problems start, you can also use a labeled fungicide for rust/blights on edible alliums per the product directions.

How often should I water leeks during their main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I maintain?

During the active growth phase, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—aim for the top 2–3 in (5–8 cm) to stay damp without becoming waterlogged. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on rainfall and heat, and after heavy watering let the surface drain before the next watering so roots don’t sit in soggy soil.

How can I tell when ‘King Richard’ leeks are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 75 days when the white portion (the blanched stem) is thick enough to feel firm and substantial, typically around 1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) diameter for many home plantings. Cut at the soil line when leaves are still green and before severe yellowing or lodging—leeks left too long can get tougher and less sweet.