How To Grow Onions From Seeds

Updated: Apr. 28, 2023

Growing onions from seed is a great way to discover new varieties. It's so easy it will boost your seed-sowing confidence.

Time

4 to 6 weeks.

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$5-$30

Introduction

Many gardeners purchase small onion bulbs, aka onion sets, in early spring to plant directly in the ground. But growing onions from seeds is just as easy and gives you a lot more choices.

Once you've grown one variety, use the same method for other kinds, like red, white, yellow and bunching onions, and even shallots.

While you can sow onion seeds directly in the garden, starting them indoors permits a faster start in the spring. It doesn't take long and doesn't require expensive equipment.

For the cost of the seeds, plus a seed-starting mix and a grow light, you can do it for less than $30, a little more if you purchase reusable flats instead of reusing containers you might already have. Your grow light is a one-time investment, and you can re-use flats for seed sowing. So once you start sowing seeds indoors regularly, your costs are the price of the seeds plus the seed-starting mix.

Tools Required

Clear cover
Container for seed sowing
Indoor grow light
Scissors
Spray bottle (optional)

Materials Required

Onion seeds
Plant labels
Seed-starting soil mix

onion seed packets Carol J. Michel For Family Handyman

Project step-by-step (6)

Step 1

Prep the soil for seed sowing

Fill your container with the seed-starting mix and wet it down thoroughly.
- Seed-starting mixes are usually dry out of the package. I often put some in a plastic tub, add water and stir the soil so it absorbs water faster.
Add moistened soil to the container. You don’t need a lot — 1-1/2- to 2-inches of soil will work just fine.
- If reusing a plastic container without drainage holes, carefully cut or punch small holes in the bottom.

Step 2

Scatter onion seeds on top of the soil

Onion seeds barely need to be covered, so scatter them across the surface of the soil, then gently press them into it.
Sprinkle more seed starting mix on top and lightly spray the surface with water, using a spray bottle or a sink spray nozzle.
- My favorite type of container for sowing onions indoors is a small flat one, the kind used for growing microgreens.

seeds scatter on soil Carol J. Michel For Family Handyman

Step 3

Add a label and cover the container

Write the variety of onions on a label and stick it in the container.
Cover the container with a clear plastic lid and place it under the grow lights.
- If using a recycled plastic container with no lid, put it inside a plastic bag. You don’t want the surface of the soil to dry out.

onion seedlings just coming up Carol J. Michel For Family Handyman

Step 4

Remove cover when seeds germinate

Once the onion seeds begin to germinate, remove the cover while keeping the seedlings under the grow lights.
Water gently as needed to avoid washing out the seedlings.

Onion seedlings, a little bigger. Carol J. Michel For Family Handyman

Step 5

Trim back seedlings, as needed

Once seedlings are four to five inches tall, cut them back to two to three inches.
- Those cuttings are edible! Use them the same way you would chives.
Continue to water your seedlings, as needed.

onion seedlings with trimmings next to them. Carol J. Michel For Family Handyman

Step 6

Harden off seedlings, then plant them in the garden

Plant onion seedlings in the garden once you’re about four weeks away from your predicted frost-free date or later. Be sure to harden them off first.

Gently remove and separate the seedlings, then plant about one inch deep in a sunny location. Space them according to the directions on the seed packet.
- Bunching onions can be spaced one inch apart. Bulb-forming onions generally need to be three inches apart.

some onion seedlings ready to plant Carol J. Michel For Family Handyman