Allium moly aka Lily Leek

Taxonomy

Allium moly, commonly known as yellow garlic, golden garlic, and lily leek, is a species of flowering plant in the Allium genus. This bulbous herbaceous perennial, native to the Mediterranean, is characterized by lance-shaped, grey-green leaves and clump-forming growth. In early summer, it produces vibrant umbels of bright yellow, star-shaped flowers on paired stems. Apart from being edible, Allium moly is also utilized for its medicinal and ornamental properties. Alongside other culinary onions and garlic, this plant adds diversity to the genus Allium.

Common names

Lily Leek, Yellow Garlic, Yellow Onion

How to care for Lily Leek

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Lily Leek is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Lily Leek should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Lily Leek loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Lily Leek requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Yellow Garlic is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Lily Leek to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Lily Leek is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

The Lily Leek does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Lily Leek should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Lily Leek as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Lily Leek’s native range is the Northern Hemisphere, South America, and Africa.


More info:
Wikipedia