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VegetablesHardyBiennial
Shallot
Shallot is an allium grown for clusters of richly flavoured bulbs that store well and bring a deeper taste than many onions. It is especially useful where reliable storage, kitchen versatility and modest space requirements are priorities.
Basic information
Category
Vegetables
Lifecycle
Biennial
Hardiness
Hardy
Planting partners
2 companions · 8 crops to avoid
Growth profile
Days to harvest
140 days
Germination window
7–14 days
Germination temperature
10–24 °C
Plant spacing
15 cm
Row spacing
30 cm
Sowing depth
0.5 cm
Height
40 cm
Spread
15 cm
Calendar
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Flowering / Harvest
Timings based on average frost dates in the UK. Sign up to set your frost dates.
Care tips
Plant shallots into fertile free-draining soil and keep the bed weed free, as young plants dislike competition. Lift once tops yellow and fall naturally, then dry bulbs thoroughly in an airy place so they store cleanly and resist rot.
Common pests
Onion fly, downy mildew, thrips, white rot.
