How to grow spring onions

No matter how big or small your indoor space is, spring onions are a great herb to have on hand and grow quickly from seeds. Here’s how to get started:

• Plant your spring onion seeds inside year round, or grow new spring onions from kitchen scraps on your windowsill
• Water often and give your spring onions a boost with a little fertiliser
• Use a pot with drainage holes to avoid root rot
• Harvest when your spring onions are about 15cm tall

If you’re looking to have a small crop for home use, spring onions can be planted year round. They’re fast-growing, so you can expect to be using your home-grown herbs and garnishes in no time.

1. Use a seed starting tray with a lid. Add a good quality potting soil and make sure you don’t compact it too much.

2. Sow seeds sparingly - you only want to put a couple of seeds per pot. Make an indent in the soil up to your first knuckle and plant each seed.

3. Keep the soil moist, but well drained. The lid on your tray will help give your seedlings the humid conditions they need.

4. Put your seeds in a spot that has plenty of natural light - near a southern or western facing window is best

Did you know you can grow spring onions from the roots of the bunches you buy at the supermarket? Cut the stems down to about 2 or 3cm and plant the roots in potting soil so you can just see the green tips or place them in a jar of water.

Grow your spring onions on a well-lit windowsill and water often to keep them happy while they grow. They don’t mind a fertiliser boost while they’re growing, but it’s not essential.

Your spring onions are ready for their forever pots once they’re about 3 inches (7cm) tall. Be gentle with your seedlings - they’re still young so need to be handled with care. Whether you’re transplanting seedlings or growing from roots, use a pot that is about 12cm deep and 15cm across. 

It’s easy to keep pests away from your indoor herbs because most herbs naturally repel insects. Avoid root rot by keeping the soil slightly damp and using a pot with drainage holes.

Your spring onions are ready to use once they reach about 15cm high. You can pull them out by the roots if your dish calls for a whole bunch or snip off the stems if you only need a few stalks to garnish with.

Spring onions are great raw or cooked. Finely chop the green part of the stem to sprinkle on top of salads, stir fries or curries, or use a whole bunch in dishes like Asian pancakes.