With the days finally getting longer, it's natural to want more greenery and vitamins. The herbs and greens on the windowsill not only create a spring mood, but are also indispensable helpers in the kitchen. The window sill gardening season has already started in Lithuania. In many homes, onion leaves are the first harbingers of spring, as the price of onion seedlings is attractive and it is not a lot of work to grow them.

Vesta Paukštelo, Fresh Flowers and Plants Category Manager, says that even in winter, you can enjoy the juicy, crunchy and healthy benefits of home-grown onion leaves.

These herbs with their distinctive flavour are not only an ingredient in a wide range of Lithuanian dishes, but are also a staple in Asian cuisine. So whether you're a traditionalist or like to "travel" in your kitchen, onion leaves will be the perfect tool to enhance the flavour.

V. Paukštelo says that the first onion leaves can be tasted about two weeks after planting. So if you do the hard work this weekend, you will be peeling the greens before the calendar spring has even arrived.

How to grow onion leaves on the windowsill?

„Onions – unpretentious plants. You can plant them even if you have very limited space at home – a trough, a larger pot or a few smaller ones will do. However, as with any plant, there are a few rules to remember. By following them, you will be able to enjoy a high yield of these greens," says V. Paukštelo.

When to plant? Onions can be planted on the windowsill practically all year round. But this is especially true in winter, when it's grey and gloomy outside and the plates are short of vegetables.

The right soil. Like other vegetables or herbs, onion plants grow best in a dedicated, mineral-enriched but neutral soil.

How to plant? Onion seedlings should be planted at a depth of 2–3 cm. When planting, two thirds of the heads should be underground and the remaining third – above ground. If planting in an elongated pot, leave about 5 cm between the onions.

Give them sun, but not immediately. Once planted, it is best to keep them in a warm and dark place, and once the seedlings have sprouted, move them to a windowsill where they will get more light. Do not leave them in the shade, as the leaves will be both greener and firmer as they grow in the sun. 

Adequate humidity. When growing onion seedlings at home, you should remember to keep them moist, especially if there is a radiator under the windowsill on which they grow. Once planted, onion seedlings should be watered sparingly at all times, preferably with a water spray to prevent overwatering.

Does it need fertiliser? No additional fertiliser is needed for onions grown on a windowsill. A light spraying of the substrate, constant light and a temperature of around 20°C are sufficient.