With their distinctive globe-shaped bulbs and tall, hollow leaves, onion plants are easy to recognize But did you know there are over 600 species of the flowering Allium plants which onions belong to?
Below you’ll find a guide to the most common types of onions with useful descriptions and pictures to help identify them.
Bulb Onions
Bulb onions are the most widely grown Allium species They produce a single bulb at the base made up of concentric fleshy leaf bases The leaves emerge from the top of the bulb into long green stalks.
Yellow Onions
These are the most common onion variety. They have brown, yellow or white outer skins covering the pale yellowish-white fleshy scales. Popular yellow onion types include Vidalia, Walla Walla, and Texas 1015.
![Yellow onions on wooden table][]
White Onions
White onions have a milder flavor and crisper texture. Their flesh is white with an outer skin that can range from white to pale yellow. Pearl, Lisbon and Vidalia Sweet are common white varieties. ![White onion on cutting board][]
Red Onions
These have a bold, spicy flavor. Their purplish-red outer skin and fleshy red-tinged scales make them easy to identify. Popular red onion types include Red Burgundy, Red Creole, and Red Torpedo.![Red onions sliced on cutting board][]
Other Onion Varieties
Beyond the common bulb onions, there are some other interesting Allium species:
Scallions (Green Onions)
These have small white bulbs with long, straight green stalks. Both the white base and green stalks are edible. They have a mild flavor and are often used raw in salads, stir fries and more.![Bunch of green onions][]
Shallots
Shallots have a delicate, onion-garlic flavor. Unlike regular onions, a shallot bulb is made up of multiple smaller cloves grouped together. The copper-colored skin covers off-white, purple-tinged flesh. ![Whole shallot bulbs][]
Leeks
These look like oversized scallions. The edible white base has a mild, sweet flavor. Only the lower portion of the long green leaves is eaten since the tops are fibrous. ![Fresh leeks][]
Garlic
Garlic bulbs contain individual cloves enclosed in a thin, papery skin. Known for its pungent flavor and aroma, it’s used widely in cooking. Hardneck and softneck are the two main types. ![Garlic bulb and cloves][]
Chives
Unlike other Alliums, chives do not form bulbs. They have slender, hollow green leaves that grow in clusters. Both the stems and mild onion-flavored leaves are edible.![Chives in small white bowl][]
With this visual guide, identifying Allium species by their pictures will be much easier. Just remember differences like bulb colors, stalk shapes, and leaf textures as you explore the diverse onion family.
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How do you grow onions in a garden?
Select a location with full sun, where other plants won’t shade your onions. The more energy they can get from the sunlight, the larger their bulbs can grow. Mix aged manure or compost into the soil in the fall or early spring to improve texture. Ensure there are no rocks or debris.
How do you grow a green onion in a pot?
Here’s how to do it: Fill a pot with potting soil and make a hole in the middle about the onion’s depth and width. Place the onion in the hole and cover with soil. Water and put the pot in a sunny spot. Harvest the green sprouts as needed for cooking. If you get a sprout with a flower, wait until the flower goes to seed.