Other names
French shallot, eschalot, small onion
Botanical name
Allium cepa var. aggregatum
Family / Genus
Amaryllidaceae / Allium
Plant category
Leek vegetables
The shallot is the small, refined sister of the onion. Less pungent and more delicate in flavour.
Facts and figures
Light requirements
Sun / partial shade
Nutrient requirements
Light feeder
Difficulty level
Easy
Culture (according to Gertrud Franck)
B - early, B - late
Culture (according to Sister C. Weinrich)
Companion crop
Growing period
120 - 300 days
Row spacing
25 cm
Plant spacing
15 cm
Growth height
20 - 40 cm
Sowing depth
5 cm
Germination type
Light and dark
Planting & harvest times of Shallot
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Transplant
Harvest
Harvest (next year)
SpringTransplant to bed from Late February to Late March. After a growing period of 120 days, harvest can begin around Early July and continues until Late July.
AutumnTransplant to bed from Early September to Mid November. After a growing period of 300 days, harvest can begin around Early July and continues until Late July next year.
Plant Shallot
Shallots are mainly propagated using sets, as they rarely flower in our climate and therefore don't produce seeds.
The sowing depth given refers to the depth at which you plant the sets. The tip should just be visible above the soil.
Good and bad companions of Shallot
Shallots go well with carrots, beetroot, lettuce, parsnips and dill, and they belong among the strawberries. Keep them away from beans and peas, as they often stay small next to those. Don't put other members of the onion family right beside them, because they attract the same pests.
Very good neighbours
Beetroot
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Good neighbours
Batavia lettuce
As underplanting: Batavia lettuce grows beneath Shallot.
Small lettuces fit well between rows of shallots. The narrow shallots leave them enough light.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Butterhead lettuce
As underplanting: Butterhead lettuce grows beneath Shallot.
Small lettuces fit well between rows of shallots. The narrow shallots leave them enough light.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Carrot
With underplanting: Shallot grows beneath Carrot.
Carrots can be sown between rows of shallots and make good use of the space. This only helps against carrot fly while the shallots are young; a net protects reliably.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
Cos lettuce
Underplanting: The lower plant grows beneath the taller one.
Small lettuces fit well between rows of shallots. The narrow shallots leave them enough light.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Courgette
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute
Cucumber
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Preliminary assessment, we're still researching.
Dill
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Iceberg lettuce
As underplanting: Iceberg lettuce grows beneath Shallot.
Small lettuces fit well between rows of shallots. The narrow shallots leave them enough light.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Lamb's lettuce
As underplanting: Lamb's lettuce grows beneath Shallot.
Lamb's lettuce fits between rows of shallots and keeps growing in autumn once the shallots are harvested.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Lollo bionda / Lollo rosso
As underplanting: Lollo bionda / Lollo rosso grows beneath Shallot.
Small lettuces fit well between rows of shallots. The narrow shallots leave them enough light.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Marjoram
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Preliminary assessment, we're still researching.
May turnip
Underplanting: The lower plant grows beneath the taller one.
Young turnips can be grown between rows of shallots and harvested early.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Oak leaf lettuce
As underplanting: Oak leaf lettuce grows beneath Shallot.
Small lettuces fit well between rows of shallots. The narrow shallots leave them enough light.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Pak choi
Small pak choi varieties fit between rows of shallots. In Germany onions are thought unfavourable next to cabbage, which is disputed.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Traditions from different countries contradict each other
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Parsley
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Parsnip
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Strawberry
Shallots between strawberries are an old companion planting tip. Both grow well, but protection of the strawberries from fungi is not proven.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Swiss chard
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Tomato
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Neutral neighbours
Broccoli
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Brussels sprouts
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Cauliflower
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Cavolo nero
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Flower Sprouts
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Kale
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Kohlrabi
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Pointed cabbage
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Red cabbage
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Romanesco
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Savoy cabbage
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
White cabbage
Whether cabbage and shallots go well together is passed down differently in every country. Neither a benefit nor any harm has been shown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Traditions from different countries contradict each other
Bad neighbours
Broad bean
Next to beans and peas, shallots often stay smaller. This is passed down in many countries, but the reason is unknown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Bush bean
Next to beans and peas, shallots often stay smaller. This is passed down in many countries, but the reason is unknown.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Chives
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Garlic
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Garlic chives
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as onion fly and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Leek
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Onion
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as onion fly and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Pea
Next to beans and peas, shallots often stay smaller. This is passed down in many countries, but the reason is unknown.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Pole bean
Next to beans and peas, shallots often stay smaller. This is passed down in many countries, but the reason is unknown.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Potato
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Runner bean
Next to beans and peas, shallots often stay smaller. This is passed down in many countries, but the reason is unknown.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Blog, forum, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Spring onion
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as onion fly and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Tree onion
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as onion fly and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Predecessors and successors of Shallot
Shallots are light feeders and need no fertiliser. Don't plant them straight after legumes or brassicas, or there will be too much nitrogen in the soil and they'll store badly. A weed-free bed is ideal, for example after tomatoes, May turnips or a green manure that dies off over winter. After other alliums, leave a four-year gap.
Good predecessors
Buckwheat
A green manure that dies off in winter leaves a loose bed with few weeds. Shallots grow well afterwards.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Courgette
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Cucumber
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Honeydew melon
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
May turnip
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Melothria
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Phacelia
A green manure that dies off in winter leaves a loose bed with few weeds. Shallots grow well afterwards.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Potato
Potatoes smother weeds with their dense foliage. Narrow-leaved onion family plants have an easier time afterwards.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Squash
Squash covers the soil densely and keeps weeds down. Shallots, with their narrow leaves, have an easier time afterwards.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Tomato
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Watermelon
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Bad predecessors
Beetroot
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Broad bean
After legumes there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil. Shallots then ripen poorly and store badly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Broccoli
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Bush bean
After legumes there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil, and stem nematodes attack both crops. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Cauliflower
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Cavolo nero
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Chickpea
After legumes, shallots ripen poorly because of the high nitrogen. Chickpeas, however, usually leave little of it.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Flower Sprouts
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Garlic
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Garlic chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Kale
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Leek
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Lentils
After legumes there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil. Shallots then ripen poorly and store badly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Pea
After legumes there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil, and stem nematodes attack both crops. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Pointed cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Pole bean
After legumes there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil, and stem nematodes attack both crops. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Red cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Romanesco
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Runner bean
After legumes there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil, and stem nematodes attack both crops. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Savoy cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Shallot
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
- Self-incompatibility
Soya bean
After legumes there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil. Shallots then ripen poorly and store badly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Spring onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Tree onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
White cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue and nitrogen. Shallots grown afterwards turn soft and store poorly.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Too much nitrogen for a sensitive successor
Good successors
Batavia lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Broccoli
Cabbage grows especially well after alliums, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage grows particularly well after onions and their relatives, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Butterhead lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Cauliflower
Cabbage grows especially well after onion family crops, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Cavolo nero
Cabbage grows particularly well after onions and their relatives, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Chinese cabbage
Brassicas such as Chinese cabbage grow especially well after the onion family, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Cos lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Flower Sprouts
Cabbage grows especially well after the onion family, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Iceberg lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Kale
Brassicas grow especially well after the onion family, as long-term crop rotation trials have shown.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Kohlrabi
Cabbage crops grow especially well after the onion family, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Lollo bionda / Lollo rosso
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
May turnip
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Mizuna (Asian Greens)
Brassicas such as mizuna grow especially well after the onion family, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Oak leaf lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Pak choi
Brassicas such as pak choi grow especially well after the onion family, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Pointed cabbage
Cabbage grows particularly well after onions and their relatives, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Red cabbage
Cabbage grows particularly well after onions and their relatives, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Romanesco
Cabbage grows especially well after onion family crops, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Savoy cabbage
Cabbage grows particularly well after onions and their relatives, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Swede
Brassicas such as swedes grow especially well after the onion family, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
White cabbage
Cabbage grows particularly well after onions and their relatives, as long-term crop rotation trials show.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Neutral successors
Carrot
Carrot and shallot can follow each other. Whether carrots get the same stem nematodes as shallots is unclear. After an outbreak, leave two years between them.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Specialist book
Bad successors
Beetroot
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Bush bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Garlic
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Garlic chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Leek
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Pea
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Pole bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Runner bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Shallot
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
- Self-incompatibility
Spring onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Tree onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Diseases and pests
Shallots are tougher than onions, but they can catch the same diseases: downy mildew, onion smut, onion fly and leek miner fly. Healthy sets, an airy spot and a wide crop rotation keep trouble away. A fine insect net keeps the flies off.
Susceptible to
Allium leaf miner
Bacterial soft rot
Grey mould
Leek moth
Leek rust
Leek yellow stripe
Onion basal rot(low susceptibility)
Onion downy mildew
Onion fly
Onion thrips
Onion yellow dwarf
Phytophthora stem rot
Purple blotch
Rhizoctonia
Stem nematode
White rot
White tip
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