Pregnant Onion

Often found in the hands of succulent collectors, the Pregnant Onion is an oddity in the plant world. Sitting on top of the soil with the opalescent bulb fully exposed, this is one of those delightful old fashioned plants that is a tough as nails yet rarely offered for sale commercially. These delightful plants are usually found in older gardens or grown indoors or on a verandah as an interesting potted plant.

Also known as the False Sea Onion, or Sea Onion, this plant is not actually part of the Onion family and therefore not edible. This bright green bulb produces strappy almost succulent type foliage and quickly begins to produce little baby bulbs which appear to creep up from the soil and sit on the parent bulb in clusters. These tiny bulbs will eventually begin to shoot putting out thin slivers of green foliage before dropping to the soil and taking root. In Summer a tall flower stem will appear from the parent bulb and many beautiful green and white star shaped flowers will appear.

In cool climates protect plants from frost as damage will occur, but these bulbs are hardy and will grow in a wide range of climates. Suitable for indoor or outdoor growth, the Pregnant Onion requires a well drained soil or open potting mix to grow well. Will tolerate periods of dryness but for best result ensure regular watering during the growth phase. Plant bulbs shallowly with only the roots covered by soil.