White Lisbon

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Silky, mild-sweet stalks emerge in tidy clumps, their white bases fading to fresh green tops with a crisp, tender snap.

White Lisbon scallions offer a clean, delicate allium flavor and a pleasantly firm yet succulent texture—ideal for bright garnishes and quick stir-ins, and equally lovely for fresh bunches in salads and slaws. Grow them for uniform, market-ready lengths at about 60 days, with plenty of regrowth potential for a steady harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

White Lisbon scallions stay sweet and composed—slice them thin and they crunch instead of getting stringy or sharp. Because the white base and green tops both mellow, they work just as well raw as a fast stir-in, giving you allium perfume with a clean, juicy snap.

Best Uses

thinly sliced raw over rice bowls or ceviche for crunchy lift
quick-stir for 30–90 seconds to keep the snap and sweetness
finishing garnish for soups, noodles, and grilled proteins—adds brightness without overpowering
slaws and potato salad where you want allium flavor but no harsh bite

Flavor Profile

clean, mild-sweet allium bite crisp, tender snap with juicy succulence silky white base to fresh green-top fragrance

Kitchen Pairings

ginger soy sauce toasted sesame oil lime chicken miso

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium fistulosum (White Lisbon) and how do I manage it?

Watch for onion thrips and leaf-tip whitening, which can flare in warm, dry spells. Spray insecticidal soap at label rate and repeat as directed, focusing on the underside of leaves. If you see translucent, water-soaked patches or rotting at the base, remove affected plants immediately and improve drainage to reduce wet soil around the clumps.

How often should I water White Lisbon bunching onions during their main growing phase?

During the active leaf growth period, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently evenly moist, not soggy. Water about 1–1.5 inches per week total (more in hot weather), adjusting to rainfall and soil that drains quickly. Avoid frequent light sprinkles that keep the surface wet, since Allium fistulosum is prone to base rot when soil stays overly damp.

How can I tell when White Lisbon (Allium fistulosum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants have formed sturdy, hollow leaves and reach about 8–12 inches tall, typically around 60 days from germination. You can do a “cut-and-come-again” harvest by snipping leaves near the base, or pull whole clumps when leaves are thick and the stand is dense. For best flavor, harvest before the plants become overly tall and start to look less crisp.