Allium thunbergii

Common Names

Thunberg's Chive, Sanchu, Thunberg Garlic, Japanese Onion

Summary

Thunberg’s onion is a bulbous perennial native to East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan) that forms clumps from short rhizomes. It has two to three linear leaves longer than the flowering scapes, with tall stems bearing globose umbels of rosy-pink to purple-pink flowers with yellow-orange exerted stamens; the foliage carries a mild onion scent and the plant flowers in autumn.

It grows best in full sun to partial shade on well-drained soil, is hardy in USDA zones 4–9, and propagates by seed or division with division in spring. Edible parts include bulbs, leaves, and flowers; the plant is valued ornamentally and culinarily, attracting bees and other pollinators and suitable for borders, rock gardens, and containers.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-20 inches

Spread

10-15 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained loamy or sandy soil, pH 5.5–7.5

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Pink to Purple

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Orange to rusty orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees and other pollinators