Wild leek is a biennial bulb in the onion family (Amaryllidaceae) native to southern Europe, southwestern Asia and northern Africa but has naturalized in many parts of the world. Its native habitat is near rocky coastal areas. The Genus name comes from the classical Latin name for garlic. The specific epithet comes from the Greek words ampelos and parson meaning leek for a leek found growing in vineyards. The plant can grow 3-4 feet tall and spread 1-2 feet wide and prefers full sun in average well-drained soil. The bulb of wild leek grows 1& 1⁄4 inches wide. The rounded scapes are topped with many small urn-shaped flowers in clusters in July to August. Bees pollinate the flowers The bulbs and leaves have a fairly strong leek to garlic flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. Wild leeks have been used to cultivate modern leeks, elephant garlic, pearl onions, kurrat and Persian leeks which are more popular for garden use. Use this plant and cultivars in the edible garden. The flowers can be ornamental also. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Onion maggots and thrips are occasional pests and slugs can cause damage to young seedlings. Rust, mildew, and leaf spot are occasional problems. Rot can occur in overly moist or poorly drained soils.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Bulb; Cool Season Vegetable; Edible; Poisonous; Vegetable
Life cycle
Biennial; Bulb
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Edible; Fragrant
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Blue-green to yellow-green stiff flat leaves arrange in a fan-like shape.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Urn
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Clusters of small urn-shaped pale purple flowers in a rounded cluster bloom seasonally second-year only.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Capsule
Stem color
Green; White
Stem detail
Thick tasty edible stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Macronesia, Mediterranean, Asia
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
The leaves and bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked in small quantities.
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Garden tags
#deer resistant #vegetable garden #edible stems #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #cool season vegetable #edible bulbs #biennial #vole resistant #rabbit resistant #edible flowers #black walnut toxicity tolerant #hortcontest #th-touch #th-sowing #th-wildlife #th-taste #th-smell
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Bulb Mites; Insect and Related Pests of Vegetables
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Black Walnut; Deer; Rabbits; Voles
Poison severity
Low
Poison symptoms
Eating in large quantities can cause vomiting and digestive problems. Contact dermatitis can occur in some people. Cooking decreases the oxalic acid content.