Allium chinense aka Japanese Scallion

Allium chinense grows from bulbs and lives for many years. It is known as rakkyo. It belongs to the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. It is native to China, including the southern provinces. Growers raise it for food across eastern Asia, including Japan. Wild plants also grow along the edges of fields. Its long use in gardens makes its exact range unclear. Useful Tropical Plants lists its IUCN status as Least Concern.

The plant forms upright clumps as its bulbs divide. It stands about 1 foot (0.3 m) tall. RHS gives a top garden height of 1.6 feet (0.5 m). It gives the same figure for width. Its thin, hollow green leaves have an onion scent. A cut across a leaf shows three angles. This shape helps tell it apart from chives. Sources differ on how long the leaves last. RHS calls it evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves. Chicago says it rests in summer. Hot, dry weather can also make the leaves die back.

Small lavender to rose-purple flowers grow in loose, round groups. These groups are called umbels. Chicago gives the bloom season as September to October. RHS says flowers appear in autumn as fresh leaves grow. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers. Chicago says plants rarely set seed. Split clumps or remove offsets, the new small bulbs, after bloom. RHS also lists sowing fresh seed or sowing in spring. Remove old flower stalks and dead leaves. No other pruning is needed.

Grow rakkyo in full sun and soil that drains well. Rich soil suits it, though it also copes with poor soil. It grows in acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Keep the soil moist, but do not let it stay waterlogged. Pots suit gardens where heavy clay stays wet in winter. RHS rates its hardiness H6; Chicago lists USDA zones 5–8. It fits borders, rock gardens, gravel beds, and pots. Chicago also says it resists deer. Allium leaf miner and onion fly may attack it. Onion white rot and downy mildew can cause disease.

The bulbs are crisp and have a strong onion taste. People eat them raw, cooked, or pickled. People also eat the leaves raw or cooked. Raw flowers and young seedpods can top salads. Bulbs may take two or three years to reach full size. Sources record use in folk medicine, but do not prove health benefits. Plant juice also has a reported use to repel moths. The supplied sources report no cases of poisoning for this species. That lack of reports does not prove it is safe for pets.