What is the difference between scallions and green onions?

In common U.S. usage, the terms are interchangeable. Both refer to young onion plants harvested before bulb formation. Per Penn State Extension, "scallion, green onion, spring onion, and bunching onion are all used to describe young onion plants harvested at the immature stage." Technically, "spring onion" sometimes refers to young bulbing onions with a small bulb at the base, while true "scallions" or "bunching onions" are A. fistulosum types that never form a bulb.

Can I regrow scallions from grocery store scallions?

Yes. Per Penn State Extension, "placing the root end of a grocery store scallion in a glass of water, or planting it directly in soil 1 inch deep, will produce new green growth in 3–5 days." This method is only good for 2–3 regrowths before the plant exhausts its stored energy. For a sustained supply, growing from seed or sets is more productive.

How many scallions fit in a raised bed?

Scallions are among the most space-efficient vegetables. Per UMN Extension, "16 scallion plants fit in a 1-foot × 1-foot area" at standard 1-inch spacing. A 2-foot × 4-foot raised bed section can produce 120+ scallions, enough for a household's regular use if succession-sown every 3 weeks.

When is the last time I can sow scallions in fall?

Sow fall scallions 8–10 weeks before the first expected frost. Per Penn State Extension, "scallion seedlings can withstand light frost to 28°F, so harvests can extend 2–3 weeks past the first light frost." In zones 5–6 with a mid-October first frost, this means sowing in mid-to-late August. In zones 7–8, fall sowings in September–October produce scallions through December or even January in mild years.

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Scallions Care: The Easiest Allium to Grow from Seed

Scallions — bunching onions in the Allium fistulosum and Allium cepa groups — are among the fastest and easiest alliums to grow, producing edible stalks in 60–80 days from seed without the bulb-sizing challenge of storage onions.

By Thomas Joseph Published 2026-06-11 Updated 2026-06-13 Reviewed by Thomas Joseph 7 min read

Scallions green onions Allium fistulosum growing in a garden bed with slender straight upright tubular green hollow leaves and small white bulb bases — Scallions with their slender hollow leaves and small white bases. Image: AI-generated reference.

Scallion types

The word "scallion" covers two distinct species and a few naming conventions that trip up new gardeners.

Bunching onion (Allium fistulosum)

The true bunching or Welsh onion. Does not form a significant bulb at the base — it remains a cylindrical, hollow-stemmed clump. Perennial in zones 6–9, where established clumps can be divided and harvested repeatedly for years. Per University of Minnesota Extension, A. fistulosum is "the bunching onion that forms perpetual clumps rather than individual bulb onions." It is the standard "scallion" of Asian cuisines and is widely used in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cooking.

Immature bulb onions (Allium cepa — harvested young)

Standard bulb onions can be harvested before the bulb forms by direct-sowing thickly and pulling young plants. The result looks and tastes like a scallion. Per Penn State Extension, "many gardeners grow 'scallions' simply by sowing bulb onion seed thickly and harvesting the plants at the bunching stage before significant bulb formation." Varieties like 'Bunton White' and 'Evergreen Hardy White' are specifically bred for scallion use.

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Scallions Care: The Easiest Allium to Grow from Seed

Scallion types

Bunching onion (Allium fistulosum)

Immature bulb onions (Allium cepa — harvested young)