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Sand leek
Allium scorodoprasum · Amaryllidaceae
📷 Julia Kruse · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Bulbes et feuilles peuvent endommager les globules rouges des chiens et surtout des chats ; le risque dépend de la quantité ingérée, crue ou cuite.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant sand leek: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Allium scorodoprasum
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Type
- Perennial bulb
- Mature height
- 60 cm
- Flowering
- May to June
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15°C and below)
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Rocambole (serpent garlic) is nutrient-hungry: enrich the soil with compost before planting. Plant the bulbils (mini-bulbs) in October–November, 5–8 cm deep, spaced 20 cm apart.
The common mistake
Planting too shallow or in poor soil: the plants don't develop enough and produce tiny bulbils.
The pro's trick
In June, pinch off the central flower stem: this redirects energy to the bulb instead of the flower, and you'll boost both weight and size of your harvest.
Care
Exposure
Rocambole thrives in full sun, ideally 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day. A sunny location promotes bulb development and strengthens flavor. It tolerates light shade, but the harvest will be less generous.
Soil and planting
Plant rocambole cloves in autumn (September to November) in well-drained soil lightly enriched with organic matter. It dislikes waterlogged conditions and heavy soils. A light addition of compost at planting is sufficient to ensure good growth.
Watering
Water moderately at planting and in early spring growth. Once established, rocambole needs little watering except during prolonged drought. Gradually reduce water from June onwards to promote bulb maturation.
Fertilizing
Well-decomposed compost added at planting is generally sufficient. If the soil is poor, a balanced fertilizer applied in spring can support growth. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote foliage at the expense of bulbs.
Pruning and harvest
Remove faded flowers if you don't wish to keep them for their aerial bulbils. Harvest bulbs in July-August when foliage yellows and dries. Leave bulbils on the stem for a few weeks after harvest so they detach naturally.
Diseases and pests
Rocambole is generally very resistant. Main risks are rot from excess moisture and, rarely, onion flies. Good drainage and air circulation are enough to prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
Rocambole has been prized since antiquity for its culinary properties and curious aerial bulbils, which form in place of flowers and naturally detach to give rise to new plants. Its name evokes a traditional French dish, rocaille, where it held a special place. It's a forgotten garden treasure that gardeners are enthusiastically rediscovering.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- RamsonsAllium ursinum
- ChivesAllium schoenoprasum
- Elephant garlicAllium ampeloprasum
- OnionAllium cepa
- Belladonna lilyAmaryllis belladonna
- Allium senescensAllium senescens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.