What it is
Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) is in the Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis) family. A mild, sweet allium you blanch by hilling soil up the stalk. Cold-hardy and slow but worth it.
How to grow it
It wants full sun, water it even, and give it rich, loose soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 6 in apart. Expect roughly 100–120. Cool-season; cold-hardy.
How it's used
Leek is used: soups, braised, sautéed.
🔎 How to identify it
- Flat folded leaves in a fan
- Thick white blanched stalk
- No bulb like onion
Edibility
PartsBlanched stalk and leaves
UsesSoups, braised, sautéed
CautionNone.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.