How do I Plant Allium Bulbs?

Alliums are a delightful staple of the spring season. Blooming cheerfully large, tall, and round clusters of florets, they resemble a garden of purple and blue balloons. And Garden State Bulb is here to help you plant, grow, and enjoy your very own garden of balloons! 

Shop Alliums Here (Fall Season Only) 

Getting Started:

Flower Bulbs have some specific requirements when it comes to outdoor planting. If you don’t know your Hardiness Zone, you’ll need to check it Here. 

The USDA Hardiness Zones can help determine what will grow well, where, and when. Even if Alliums are outside of your Hardiness Zone, you may still be able to grow them for a season–and if they are within your Hardiness Zone, you may be able to grow them year after year. 

Allium Requirements:

• Hardiness Zone: 4-10
• Planting Time: Fall 
• Bloom Time: Late Spring, Early Summer 
• Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade 
• Spacing: 4” - 6” Apart 
• Depth: 4” - 8” Deep 
• Mature Height: 32” - 36” Tall 
• Benefits: Easy to grow, Deer & Squirrel Resistant

Pre-Planting:

Be sure to store your Allium Flower Bulbs in a dry place, cool place (40-70 degrees F) with plenty of air circulation. Inside a paper bag in your fridge should perfectly simulate the winter period these bulbs need to gather nutrients and prepare for the next growing season. 

Conditions:

Wait to plant until the soil outdoors is 60 degrees F (or colder). Select a location with well-drained soil that receives full sun to partial shade. If you like, you can amend the soil by mixing in topsoil, compost, manure, and leaf mold. 

Planting Outdoors:

Plant Allium Flower Bulbs at a depth of 4” - 8” and space them 4” - 6” apart. Identify the pointy end and be sure that it is facing up. Cover with soil, water well once then wait for spring blooms! 

Planting in Containers:

Follow the same directions as outdoors, but you can plant them closer together (as long as they don’t touch each other). Water well, wait for spring, and keep the container someplace cool over winter, such as a basement or garage. 

Maintenance:

Keep Alliums moderately watered–simple enough! 

Aftercare:

After Alliums have bloomed, leave the foliage to yellow, wither, and die off before removing. If you live within the Allium Hardiness Zones, you can probably leave them in the ground to bloom next season. If, however, you live outside the Alliums’ comfort zones, you can dig them up and store them safely until the next planting season. 

Regardless of Hardiness Zone, you will likely need to dig them up every three years or so, to divide the clumps of new Alliums that may have formed. 

Happy Planting!