Allium fistulosum 'Red Ninja' is a perennial bunching onion cultivar native to China, characterized by distinctive red-colored hollow stems and green foliage. Seeds germinate readily at room temperature without requiring pre-treatment or stratification, making it an ideal choice for home gardeners. The variety exhibits strong cold hardiness and can produce new growth from established clumps year after year.
Before sowing
No pre-treatment needed — sow directly.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Sow seeds at room temperature (18-23°C) for optimal germination in 7-10 days. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent damping off fungus. Provide abundant air circulation when growing indoors. Avoid heat mats as they reduce germination rates. Seeds are light-indifferent and can be lightly covered with soil or seed starting mix (approximately 0.5cm). For best results, use fertile, compost-amended soil. Thin seedlings when 2-3cm tall. Transplant seedlings that are pencil-thick (approximately 3-4mm diameter) for fastest establishment. Red Ninja varieties are especially cold-hardy and can overwinter in many climates.
Sources: Oregon State University Horticulture, Grove.eco, The Seed Collection, Hudson Valley Seed Company, Plants for a Future, Missouri Botanical Garden, Wikipedia, ScienceDirect
