How far apart should I plant Shallot?

About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).

Does Shallot need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Shallot need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Shallot?

It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.

When does Shallot flower?

About 43–60 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.

Is Shallot poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Alliums can damage red blood cells in cats and dogs.

What grows well with Shallot?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Shallot. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).

Shallot Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a biennial vegetable in the Amaryllidaceae family, native to Western and central Asia (cultivated onion group). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 15–25 cm (6–10 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.

Plan Shallot in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Shallot at a glance

Type	Biennial vegetable
Family	Amaryllidaceae
Mature height	30–50 cm (12–20 in)
Mature spread	15–25 cm (6–10 in)
Spacing	15 cm (6 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	6–7
Cold hardiness	About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7)
Heat stress	Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F)
Flowering	about 43–60 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks
Days to maturity	About 100 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: bulbs, leaves
Native to	Western and central Asia (cultivated onion group)
Common in gardens of	🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States

Is Shallot toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: moderately toxic
Dogs: moderately toxic
Parts: bulbs, leaves

Alliums can damage red blood cells in cats and dogs.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Shallot

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.

Keep apart or take care

caution With Legumes (pea family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Legumes (pea family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D

Shared pests and diseases

White rot: Allium white rot survives in soil for 15+ years; never move infected soil. Evidence B

Questions about Shallot

How far apart should I plant Shallot?: About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).
Does Shallot need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Shallot need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Shallot?: It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
When does Shallot flower?: About 43–60 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.
Is Shallot poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Alliums can damage red blood cells in cats and dogs.
What grows well with Shallot?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Shallot. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Grown from sets as an annual crop; each set multiplies into a cluster of bulbs. Usually lifted before flowering.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Onion Allium cepa
Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus
Garlic Allium sativum
Leek Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum group)
Chives Allium schoenoprasum
Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox
Ornamental allium Allium giganteum
Welsh onion (scallion) Allium fistulosum