What hardiness zones is Allium schubertii suitable for?

Allium schubertii is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Allium schubertii?

Allium schubertii requires Full Sun.

How much water does Allium schubertii need?

Allium schubertii has Low water needs.

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Bulbs

Allium schubertii

satellite onion

Amaryllidaceae

Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East (Levant, Turkey, Libya)

At a Glance

TypeBulb

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Allium schubertii is a bulbous perennial in the Amaryllidaceae family, growing 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall with a spread of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). The plant produces a distinctive loose, open spherical umbel, 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) in diameter, composed of 50 or more individual star-shaped rosy-purple to pale pink florets held on pedicels of markedly unequal lengths — from 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) — creating an irregular, radiating appearance. Narrow, strap-like basal leaves, 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) long, emerge in spring and die back before or concurrent with flowering, leaving bare scapes by bloom time. After flowering, the entire dried umbel detaches from the scape and can be carried by wind, a seed-dispersal mechanism that gives the plant one common name of tumbleweed onion. Bulbs are mid-sized, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter, and produce few offsets. The plant performs reliably in zones 5-8 in well-drained soils; bulbs rot in wet or poorly drained conditions, particularly in winter.

Native Range

Native to the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, including the Levant (Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan), Turkey, and Libya. Found in open, rocky, dry hillsides and scrubland in well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted in perennial borders and rock gardens at 12 inch (30 cm) spacing in groups of 3-5 bulbs. The irregularly radiating flower head provides contrast to plants with dense or compact flower forms. Dried flower heads are used in floral arrangements. Suitable for naturalistic plantings and dry gardens where summer dormancy aligns with reduced irrigation; not suited to sites with consistent summer moisture.

How to Identify

Identified by its loose, open spherical flower heads with individual rosy-purple star-shaped florets on pedicels of highly unequal lengths, ranging from 2-8 inches (5-20 cm), giving a radiating firework-like appearance. Flower heads reach 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) across on stems 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall. Strap-like basal leaves die back before or during bloom. After bloom, the entire dried flower head detaches from the scape and rolls in the wind. All parts emit an onion odor when crushed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

pink

Foliage Colors

gray green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

SpringSummer

Blooms May through June in zones 5-7; late April through May in zones 8-9. Individual flower heads last 2-3 weeks. The dried structural heads persist and remain ornamental for several more weeks after petals drop. In very hot springs, bloom may be compressed to 10-14 days.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Rosy-purple to pale pink star-shaped florets on pedicels of unequal lengths

Foliage Description

Narrow gray-green strap-like basal leaves, dying back before or during bloom

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 5-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant bulbs in fall, 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) deep and 12 inches (30 cm) apart in well-drained soil. In clay soils, amend with coarse sand or grit to improve drainage; standing water during dormancy causes bulb rot. Water regularly during spring growth (March through May), providing 1 inch (2.5 cm) weekly in the absence of rain. As foliage yellows in May, reduce watering; bulbs are summer-dormant from June through September and prefer dry conditions. Mulch in zones 5 with 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) after ground freezes to prevent bulb heaving. In zones 9 and above, bulbs require a minimum chilling period of 10-12 weeks at 40-45 degrees F (4-7 degrees C) and may decline after 2-3 seasons in consistently warm winters.

Pruning

Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally in late spring; removing green leaves before they brown reduces energy stored in the bulb. Remove completely browned foliage in June. Dried flower heads can be cut at the base in July if the tumbling behavior is undesirable; leave standing if the structural dried head is preferred for ornamental or arrangement use. Divide bulbs in fall every 5-7 years if clumps become crowded.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets