Asphodelus fistulosus

RHS Plant Profile
onion weed

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onion weed John Fielding

Other common names

onion asphodel

Synonyms

Asphodelus tenuifolius
Asphodeline fistulosus

Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial to around 60cm tall with tufts of hollow, rounded, grass-like leaves to 30cm long and hollow stems bearing racemes of white to pale pink flowers with a reddish-brown stripe down the centre of each petal

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asphodelaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Asphodelus are rhizomatous perennials and annuals with clumps of linear basal leaves, and leafless stems bearing racemes or panicles of star-shaped, white or pink flowers, each tepal with a green or brown central vein
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Macaronesia, Medit. to Arabian Peninsula, Mauritius

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Can die back in heavy, poorly-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Flower stems can be cut back after flowering, or left to display the attractive seed pods

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free