Leek

Allium porrum

biennial0.9×0.3 mzone 6–9full sun🍎 Edible

Profile

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Habit: biennial
Height: 0.9 m
Spread: 0.3 m
Growth: fast
Lifespan: 5 years
First yield: after 2 years
Hardiness: zone 6–9
Shade tolerance: full sun
Soil: Sand, Silt, Clay
Soil moisture: semi-dry – moist
pH: 5.3 – 8.6

nectar sourcepollen source

Flowering & harvest

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Flowering
Leaf harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible8 of 10

Medicinal3 of 10

Other uses1 of 10

Growing

Leeks prefer a sunny position in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.2 to 8.3. They tolerate heavy clay soils and require consistent moisture during the growing season. Sow seeds in early spring in seedbeds and transplant seedlings in April. Earth up soil around stems to blanch and produce tender white stems. Water deeply every 2-3 days rather than lightly daily. Fertilize regularly with balanced fertilizer. Harvest when stems are 1-6 cm thick, preferably before soil freezes.

⚠️ Hazards

Toxicity: slightly toxic

This is no substitute for expert identification. When in doubt, do not eat it.

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