Overview
Allium humile is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium humile grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds.
About
Allium humile is an Asian species of wild onion found at high elevations (4000–4500 m) in India (Jammu-Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh), Nepal, northern Pakistan, Tibet, and Yunnan. Allium humile has narrow, cylindrical bulbs. Scape is up to 15 cm tall, slightly compressed. Leaves are flat, fleshy, linear, about 5 mm wide. It is native to China South-Central, Pakistan, Tibet and West Himalaya. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant bulbs in autumn in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Most are fully hardy and undemanding. Allow foliage to die back naturally.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Allium humile
About the genus
Allium is a large genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants with 1112 accepted species, making Allium the largest genus in the family Amaryllidaceae and among the largest plant genera in the world. Many of the species are edible, and some have a long history of cultivation and human consumption such as the onion, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives.
Wikipedia contributors, "Allium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Allium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Allium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Allium humile size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Allium humile
- Propagation
- Offsets, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Allium leaf miner, Onion fly
- Disease resistance
- Onion white rot, Onion downy mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Allium humile?
Allium humile prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Allium humile need?
Allium humile is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Allium humile hardy in the UK?
Allium humile has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Allium humile?
Offsets, Seed.
More in the Allium genus
- Allium 'Judith'
- Allium 'Summer Beauty'
- Allium cepa 'Goldito'
- Allium christophii (albopilosum)Star of Persia
- Allium hookeri 'Zorami'Hooker Chives
- Allium phanerantherumconspicuous-anthered garlic
- Allium 'Millenium'
- Allium schmitzii