How to Grow Scallions Indoors

Growing your own food is a rewarding experience, and scallions are one of the easiest and most versatile vegetables to start with. Their mild, onion-like flavor makes them a perfect garnish for soups, salads, and countless other dishes. You don’t need a large garden or special equipment to enjoy a fresh, continuous supply.

With just a sunny windowsill and some basic materials, you can cultivate these delicious greens right in your own kitchen. This guide on how to grow scallions indoors will walk you through everything you need to know, from selecting the right type of scallion to harvesting your homegrown crop. Get ready to add a touch of freshness to your meals, year-round.

Choosing the Right Variety

While you can regrow scallions from scraps purchased at the grocery store, starting from seeds gives you more control over the variety and flavor. Look for bunching onions, which are specifically cultivated not to form a large bulb.

Popular choices for indoor growing include ‘Evergreen Hardy White,’ which is resilient and productive, and ‘Tokyo Long White,’ known for its long, tender white stems. You might also consider ‘Red Beard’ if you prefer a splash of color and a slightly more robust flavor. Each variety has subtle differences in taste and growth habits, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need:

Containers or Pots:

These can range from traditional planters to DIY options such as repurposed food containers or mason jars. Make sure that the containers have good drainage holes. Size-wise, choose containers that are at least 6 inches deep and wide enough to fit multiple seeds or plants.

Soil:

Choose a well-draining potting mix that is nutrient-rich. You can also create your own mix by combining equal parts of compost, peat moss, and perlite.

Seeds:

When it comes to choosing seeds, opt for organic and non-GMO varieties for the best results. Some popular options for microgreens include broccoli, kale, and radish seeds.

Water:

Microgreens require consistent moisture but not too much water. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged by using a spray bottle or watering from the bottom.

Light:

Microgreens need plenty of sunlight to grow, so choose a well-lit spot for your growing tray. If you don’t have access to natural light, you can also use grow lights.

Harvesting:

Once your microgreens have reached the desired height (usually around 2 inches), it’s time to harvest them. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut them just above the soil line.

Storage:

Microgreens are best eaten fresh, but if you need to store them, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They should last for up to a week.

Culinary Uses:

Microgreens make a great addition to salads, sandwiches, soups, and smoothies. They add a burst of flavor and nutrition to any dish.
Some popular microgreens include radish, broccoli, sunflower, pea shoots, and cilantro. Experiment with different varieties to find your favorites!

7 Simple Step-by-step Guidelines on How to Grow Scallions Indoors:

Step 1: Prepare Your Container and Soil

First, select a suitable container for your scallions. It should be at least six inches deep to allow the roots to develop properly and must have drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from pooling, which can lead to root rot. A rectangular window box is an excellent choice as it provides ample space for multiple plants without taking up too much room on your windowsill. Fill your chosen container with a quality all-purpose potting mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top.

Lightly moisten the soil with water before planting. The soil should be damp to the touch but not waterlogged. This initial watering helps settle the soil and creates a welcoming environment for the seeds or scraps. Ensuring your setup is prepared correctly from the start is key to preventing common issues and promoting healthy, vigorous growth for your indoor scallion garden.

Step 2: Plant Your Scallions

If you are starting from seeds, sow them about half an inch deep in the prepared soil, spacing them approximately one inch apart. Cover them lightly with more potting mix and gently pat the surface. This spacing gives each plant enough room to grow without competing for nutrients. If you are regrowing scallions from kitchen scraps, take the white root ends (about one to two inches long) and place them in a shallow glass of water, ensuring only the roots are submerged.

After a few days of being in water, you will notice new green shoots emerging from the tops of the scraps. Once these shoots appear and the roots look a bit more established, you can plant them directly into your container. Make a small hole in the soil with your finger or a pencil, place the root end in, and gently firm the soil around it, leaving the top where new growth is emerging exposed.

Step 3: Provide Adequate Sunlight

Sunlight is crucial for the photosynthesis process, which fuels the growth of your scallions. Position your container on a windowsill or in a location where it will receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day. A south-facing window is typically the best option in the Northern Hemisphere, as it provides the most consistent and intense light throughout the day. Insufficient light will result in thin, pale, and leggy growth.

If you don’t have a spot that gets enough natural light, you can supplement with a grow light. A simple fluorescent or LED grow lamp positioned a few inches above the plants can provide the necessary light spectrum for healthy development. Set the light on a timer to run for 12 to 14 hours per day to mimic a natural light cycle and ensure your scallions thrive even in lower-light conditions.

Step 4: Water Consistently

Proper watering is essential for growing crisp and flavorful scallions. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Check the soil every couple of days by sticking your finger about an inch deep. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. Water thoroughly until you see excess draining from the bottom holes, then empty any collected water from the saucer beneath the pot.

Overwatering is a more common problem than underwatering for indoor plants. It can lead to root rot, a fungal disease that will quickly kill your scallions. Using a watering can with a narrow spout or a spray bottle allows you to direct water to the soil without drenching the foliage, which helps prevent fungal issues. Maintaining this balance will keep your plants hydrated and healthy.

Step 5: Wait for Growth

Patience is part of the gardening process. If you planted seeds, you can expect to see the first green shoots emerge from the soil within 7 to 14 days. If you started with scraps, new green growth should be visible within just a few days. The scallions will continue to grow taller and thicker over the next several weeks. During this time, continue to provide consistent light and water.

As the scallions grow, you might notice some are growing faster or taller than others; this is completely normal. Ensure they have good air circulation to prevent any potential mold or mildew. This growth phase is when the plant is establishing its root system and building up the energy it needs to produce the tasty green shoots you’ll soon be harvesting.

Step 6: Harvest Your Scallions

Once the green tops are about six to eight inches tall, they are ready for their first harvest. This typically takes about three to four weeks when growing from scraps and slightly longer when starting from seeds. Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors, simply snip the green tops about one to two inches above the soil line. This technique allows the white base and roots to remain in the soil.

The best part about growing scallions this way is that they will continue to regrow. After your first harvest, the plant will send up new shoots from the base. You can typically get three to four harvests from a single plant before the growth starts to slow down and the flavor diminishes. This cut-and-come-again method provides a continuous supply of fresh scallions.

Step 7: Ongoing Care and Replanting

To maintain a continuous harvest, continue to care for your scallion plants by providing regular water and sunlight. After several harvests, you may notice that the regrowth becomes thinner and less vigorous. This is a sign that the plant has used up most of its stored energy. At this point, it’s best to compost the old base and start the process over with fresh scraps or new seeds.

For a truly endless supply, consider succession planting. Every few weeks, plant a new batch of scallion seeds or scraps in a separate container. This rotation ensures that you will always have a pot of scallions reaching maturity and ready for harvest just as your older plants are starting to decline, giving you fresh garnishes for your kitchen creations whenever you need them.

Following these steps on how to grow scallions indoors will not only provide you with a sustainable source of this flavorful herb but also add a touch of greenery to your indoor space.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with the best care, you might encounter a few issues. Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering or poor drainage, so ensure your pot has holes and you let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. If the tips of the leaves turn brown and crispy, it could be a sign of underwatering or too much direct, intense sun.

Leggy, pale growth is a clear sign of insufficient light; move your pot to a sunnier spot or supplement with a grow light. Finally, small pests like aphids can sometimes appear. You can usually wash them off with a gentle spray of water or treat the plant with an insecticidal soap.

Tips for Success

• Use a container that is at least 6 inches deep to give roots room to grow.
• Ensure your pot has good drainage to prevent root rot from overwatering.
• Place your scallions in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of daily sunlight.
• Harvest by snipping the green tops, leaving about two inches of the base to regrow.
• For a continuous supply, plant a new batch every few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: How Often Should I Water My Indoor Scallions?

A1: You should water your scallions when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This usually translates to watering every 2-3 days, but it can vary depending on the temperature and humidity of your home. It’s crucial to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Always check the soil before watering to avoid overdoing it, as too much water can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.

Q2: Can I Grow Scallions Indoors Without Sunlight?

A2: Scallions need a significant amount of light to thrive. While they won’t grow well in a dark room, you can successfully cultivate them without direct sunlight by using a grow light. An LED or fluorescent grow lamp can provide the full spectrum of light that plants need for photosynthesis. Position the light a few inches above the plants and keep it on for 12-14 hours per day to simulate a natural day cycle.

Q3: Why Are My Scallions Getting Thin and Floppy?

A3: Thin, weak, and floppy growth, often called “legginess,” is almost always a symptom of inadequate light. Your scallions are stretching to find a light source. To fix this, move them to the sunniest window in your home, preferably one that faces south and receives at least six hours of direct sun. If that’s not possible, supplementing with a grow light will strengthen them and promote healthier, more robust growth.

Q4: How Many Times Can I Regrow the Same Scallion?

A4: You can typically harvest from the same scallion base three to four times. After each harvest, the plant will send up new green shoots from the part you left behind. However, with each subsequent regrowth, the shoots may become slightly thinner and less flavorful as the plant uses up its stored energy. Once you notice a significant decline in growth, it’s time to start over with fresh scallion scraps or seeds.

Conclusion

Growing scallions indoors is a simple and gratifying way to bring fresh flavor into your kitchen. Whether you start from seeds or regrow scraps, the process requires minimal effort and rewards you with a continuous supply of a versatile ingredient.

By providing adequate light, water, and care, you can easily troubleshoot common problems and enjoy a steady harvest. So, grab a pot, some soil, and get ready to enjoy the taste of your very own homegrown scallions. Thanks for reading this guide on how to grow scallions indoors.