Pruning guide
How to prune onions
More onions care
Pruning onions — FAQ
When should I prune onions?
Remove flower stalks immediately if they appear. Snap or cut flower stalks (scapes) flush with the neck of the plant as soon as they are noticed. Do not trim green leaf tops — they fuel bulb formation. Harvest once tops naturally fall over and brown.
How often does onions need pruning?
Rarely — only if bolting occurs. Onions do not need pruning. The green tops are integral to bulb development — removing them reduces final bulb size. If plants send up a flower stalk (bolting), snap it off at the base to redirect energy to the bulb, but harvest bolted bulbs promptly as they will not store well. Leave green tops alone until harvest.
How do you prune onions?
Snap or cut flower stalks (scapes) flush with the neck of the plant as soon as they are noticed. Do not trim green leaf tops — they fuel bulb formation. Harvest once tops naturally fall over and brown.