Plant profile
Perennial leek
Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum
Also known as Perpetual leek, Multiplier leek, Allium porrum.
Perennial leek is a clumping leek kept going by offsets rather than replanted from seed each year. You can harvest mature stems from the outside, divide off new offsets for another patch and leave the centre of the clump growing for future harvests.
- Grows well in
- Subtropical, Temperate, Cool / mountains, Mediterranean
- Lifecycle
- Perennial clumping leek grown from offsets
- Light
- Full sun, Part shade
- Mature size
- Usually 60–100 cm tall, widening into a clump
- Spacing
- About 20–30 cm between clumps
- Growth habit
- Upright perennial leek that multiplies by basal offsets
- Native range
- Cultivated form of Allium ampeloprasum, whose wild range centres on the Mediterranean and western Asia
- Natural habitat
- The wild ancestor grows in Mediterranean grassland, rocky slopes and open coastal ground.
When to plant
Tropical
March–June
Subtropical
March–July
Temperate
March–May, August–September
Cool / mountain
March–May
Mediterranean
March–June
Temperate and Mediterranean: divide in autumn or spring. Subtropical: divide through the cooler months.
Planting
Plant offsets into fertile soil with the roots covered and the growing point above the soil. Leave room around each clump for new offsets.
Position and light
Full sun to part shade. In warm subtropical areas, some afternoon shade can improve leaf quality.
Soil
Fertile, free-draining soil with plenty of compost. Keep the root zone moist during active growth.
Watering
Water regularly enough to keep the leaves growing steadily. Avoid saturated soil around the base.
Feeding
Top-dress with compost and feed lightly after harvest or division to support new offsets.
Pruning
Remove old flower stalks and damaged leaves. Do not cut all foliage back unless you are deliberately resetting an established clump.
Harvest
Harvest individual stems or divide off mature offsets as needed, leaving part of the clump in place so it can continue multiplying for future harvests.
Propagation
Divide offsets from the base of an established clump and replant them.
Common problems
Thrips, onion rust and allium root diseases can occur. Crowded clumps produce thinner stems and should be divided.
Safety notes
Edible allium. Keep trimmings away from dogs and cats.
Worth knowing
Perennial multiplier leeks in the Allium ampeloprasum group are kept going by division. Ordinary seed-grown leeks are usually harvested whole and replanted from seed each year. Divide perennial clumps regularly to keep the stems a useful size.
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