Allium cepa — the onion
Allium cepa is the botanical name for the onion, a hardy biennial bulb in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) grown almost everywhere food is cooked. It is the species behind our bulb onions, shallots and spring onions, within the bulb vegetable range.
History & origin
The onion is one of the oldest cultivated plants of all, thought to have originated in Central Asia and grown for at least 5,000 years. It was central to ancient Egypt, where onions were eaten by labourers, used as offerings and even placed in tombs — their concentric rings seen as a symbol of eternity. Prized by the Greeks and Romans and carried along every trade route, the onion became a foundation of cooking on every continent.
Its name is simply classical: Allium is the Latin name for garlic and its relatives, and cepa is the Latin for onion.
Botanical characteristics
Grown as an annual for its swollen bulb, Allium cepa stores sugars and pungent sulphur compounds that give onions their flavour and keeping quality. The species spans yellow, red and white bulb onions, milder shallots that multiply into clusters, and quick spring (bunching) onions pulled young for salads. Onions are classic companions for carrots, helping mask each other from their respective pests.
Growing Allium cepa from seed
Onions grown from seed offer far more variety, flavour and storage than sets. They need an early start and a long season: sow in late winter to early spring, grow on in firm, fertile, sunny ground, and ease off watering as the bulbs swell. Ripen and dry them well and they keep for months. Spring onions are far quicker, sown in succession through the season. Our vegetable sowing calendar and harvesting guide cover sowing and storage.
Ready to grow onions? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.
Related categories: Onion · Spring Onion · Bulb Vegetables · Leek · Root Vegetables
At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Allium cepa?
It is the botanical name for the onion, which also covers shallots and spring onions.
Where do onions originate?
From Central Asia, and they have been grown for at least 5,000 years — onions were even sacred in ancient Egypt.
What does the name mean?
Allium is the Latin name for the onion and garlic family, and cepa is Latin for onion.
Seed or sets — which is better?
Seed gives far more choice, flavour and storage; sets are quicker and easier but more limited.
How do I grow onions from seed?
Sow early for a long season in firm, fertile soil, then ripen and dry the bulbs well to store.
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