Allium
Allium — the ornamental onion — carries a perfect round pom-pom head made of dozens of tiny florets on a long naked stem. Giant Allium (A. giganteum) reaches 20 cm in head diameter. Sculptural, long-lasting, and dries perfectly. Handle stems in water to reduce the mild onion scent.
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Northern hemisphere; commercially grown Netherlands, Israel |
| Peak season | May, June, July |
| Availability | April to August |
| Stem length | 40–120 cm |
| Vase life | 10–21 days |
| Colors | white, purple, lavender, pink, green |
| Price tier | premium |
Cut on a diagonal, fresh water. Rinse stems to reduce onion smell before arranging.
- •Onion-family smell — rinse stem ends thoroughly
- •Round pom-pom heads made of dozens of tiny florets
- •Dries perfectly — used in preserved wreath work
- •Very long vase life
4 named allium cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Frequently asked questions
When is Allium in season?
Allium peaks in May, June, July, and florists can usually source it April to August. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Allium last in a vase?
Expect 10–21 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Allium?
Good substitutes for Allium include Globe amaranth. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Allium symbolise?
Allium is associated with unity, patience, prosperity.
How do you care for cut Allium?
Onion-family smell — rinse stem ends thoroughly
