VegetableLeek
Leek
This ancient member of the onion family traces its roots back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians, yet remains a treasured vegetable for modern gardeners seeking something beyond ordinary bulb onions. Unlike its relatives, leeks don't form bulbs but instead develop thick, pearl-white cylindrical stalks topped with fans of blue-green leaves, reaching 18-36 inches tall in zones 2-11. The signature white stems deliver a delicate, sweet onion flavor without the sharp pungency, ready for harvest in 100-109 days. Sources vary on exact timing, with some reporting harvests as early as 16-25 days for microgreens, though traditional full-size leeks require the longer growing period.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
18 in
Width
TypeBush
Spacing
8
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
36in H x 18in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets leeks apart is their remarkable versatility and ancient heritage. These aren't just another onion relative but a distinct culinary treasure that originated around 1870 as the variety sometimes called Giant Musselburgh or Scotch Flag. The thick white stalks grow 10-15 inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter, created through the traditional blanching technique of hilling soil around the base. Their mild, sophisticated flavor makes them equally at home in French soups, hearty stews, and fresh salads. Unlike many vegetables that struggle with temperature extremes, leeks thrive across an impressive range from zone 2 to 11, overwintering well in most regions.
Common Uses
The pearl-white stalks are the culinary stars, prized for their delicate, sweet onion flavor that lacks the sharp bite of regular onions. They excel in soups where they provide a mild, creamy base, shine in stews where they add depth without overpowering, and bring sophisticated flavor to fresh salads. The thick stalks can be braised, grilled, or used raw, while even the green tops find purpose in stocks and broths.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 50-60 days before the last frost date, or 8-10 weeks prior for earlier transplants. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, maintaining consistent moisture for germination.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings into the garden about 3 weeks before the last spring frost date, when soil can be worked. Harden off transplants gradually before setting them out.
Direct Sow
Seeds can be sown directly in the garden 1/4 inch deep in rows 12-18 inches apart, about 3 weeks before the last spring frost date, as soon as soil can be worked.
Harvesting
Harvest leeks when the lower white stems reach 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, typically after 100-109 days from seeding. The stems should be thick, white, and firm, with the blanched portion extending 10-15 inches up from the base. Cut at soil level, leaving roots in the ground.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Deer ResistantEdible
Bloom Time
Rarely Flowers
Tolerances
Black WalnutDeerRabbit
Scientific Classification
Allium ampeloprasum
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Genus
Allium
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (I)
History & Origin
“Leeks carry one of the longest cultivation stories in the vegetable world, dating back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians who first recognized their culinary value. The modern variety originated around 1870, becoming known as Giant Musselburgh or Scotch Flag, names that hint at its Scottish heritage and impressive size. Through millennia of cultivation, leeks have traveled from the Mediterranean Basin across cultures and continents, with their popularity growing through many civilizations who appreciated their mild flavor and remarkable storage qualities.”