Lancelot

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweet, mellow, and quietly luxurious—Lancelot leeks develop a tender, creamy interior wrapped in deep green, upright form.

At maturity, the stalks are notably thick with a fine, silky texture that holds its character beautifully for steaming, roasting, and rich soups and sauces. Plant for long, elegant harvests: Lancelot’s balanced flavor shines whether you enjoy it fresh in salads or transform it into comforting, savory dishes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Upright

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Lancelot 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 5th	Aug 23rd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Aug 19th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	Apr 29th	Aug 17th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	Apr 24th	Aug 12th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 20th	Aug 8th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Aug 5th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 11th	Jul 30th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 6th	Jul 25th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Mar 27th	Jul 15th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 18th	Jul 6th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 9th	Jun 27th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 20th	Jun 10th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Jan 26th	May 16th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
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)	32
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lancelot leeks have the kind of mellow sweetness that rewards heat—slow cooking turns the interior creamy instead of stewing into mush. Use them when you want allium flavor that stays polished: roast or soup, then finish bright with lemon or white wine for lift.

Best Uses

silky leek-cream soup with a smooth blend
slow-braised leeks that melt into butter and thyme
sheet-pan roasting for caramelized edges while staying tender
scalded/steamed leeks finished with lemon and olive oil

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow allium bite tender, creamy interior silky, fine-fiber texture when cooked deep green sweetness without sharpness

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme lemon parmesan white wine chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage rust on leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) in my garden?

Leek rust shows up as small yellow-orange pustules on the leaves, often spreading quickly in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard the most affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid overhead watering so foliage stays dry. If problems start early, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide and reapply according to the label after rain or heavy dew.

How often should I water leeks during the main growing phase?

During the main growing phase (after seedlings establish), keep the soil evenly moist to a depth of about 6–8 in—typically 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and heat. Water deeply rather than lightly, and don’t let the beds dry out completely, because leeks then grow tough or stop enlarging. Mulch helps steady moisture and reduces day-to-day swings that worsen leaf tip dieback.

When are leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) ready to harvest?

Harvest when the shafts are thick enough and the tops are still green, typically around 110 days from sowing for full-size leeks. Most are ready once the base/inner white portion is well developed—often when plants are about pencil-to-thumb thickness depending on your spacing. For the best flavor, pull before hard frost but you can leave them in the ground a bit after light cold snaps if the soil isn’t waterlogged.