Lexton

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweet and quietly bold, Lexton leeks develop a tender, mellow flavor with a clean, green-sweet aroma and a lush, buttery bite.

At maturity, the shanks are impressively full and upright, with crisp, fine-textured inner layers that hold their character beautifully for fresh use and elegant roasting. Grow Lexton for a garden-to-table staple that turns cool-season harvests into a steady, satisfying rhythm—ideal for soups, gratins, and savory sauces, as well as pickling for a bright, allium-forward accent.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lexton’s full, upright shanks and fine inner texture mean it cooks up silky without turning to mush—great for dishes where you want distinct layers, not collapse. The mellow green sweetness lets it play well with dairy and smoked fish, and it holds up beautifully to roasting and gentle pickling.

Best Uses

buttery leek-and-cream gratin where the layers stay intact
slow-simmered leek soup or stock for a clean, sweet finish
pan-roasting (or oven-roasting) until edges bronze while centers stay tender
pickling for a bright, allium-forward crunch

Flavor Profile

green-sweet allium flavor mellow tenderness with crisp, fine inner layers quietly bold aroma buttery, lightly rich bite

Kitchen Pairings

butter heavy cream thyme black pepper parmesan smoked salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Allium porrum (leek), and how do I treat it at home?

Leeks commonly suffer from leek rust (orange-brown pustules) and onion thrips; both can reduce leaf growth and leave plants looking streaky or dull. Remove and discard infected leaves early, keep airflow high by not crowding plants, and avoid overhead watering so foliage dries quickly. For thrips, use reflective mulch and consider treating young plants with insecticidal soap, reapplying according to label directions as new growth emerges.

How often should I water Allium porrum during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active growth, keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the planting depth, but don’t let the soil stay waterlogged, since leeks in saturated soil are more likely to develop rot. A simple test: the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) should feel slightly damp but not muddy before you water again.

How can I tell when Allium porrum is ready to harvest?

Harvest leeks when they reach full size around 90 days from sowing/transplanting, typically when the white shank is well-developed and firm. Look for a thick, straight stem base (the blanched portion) and healthy, green leaves; if the plant starts to feel hollow or flops easily, it’s usually past its best size. Cut at the soil line with a sharp knife and harvest before significant freezing temperatures.