🥦 Leek
Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum
vegetables
stem vegetable (allium)
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6, 8 hours); tolerates partial shade
💧 Water
Medium, high; 1 inch per week; consistent moisture for tender stems; mulch to retain soil moisture
🗺️ Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
🧪 Soil pH
6.0, 7.0
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, well-drained loam with plenty of organic matter; leeks are moderate-heavy feeders
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained but moisture-retentive; consistent moisture needed for tender, thick stems
📏 Spacing
6, 8 inches apart in rows 12, 18 inches apart; plant in deep holes or trenches, hilling soil around stems as they grow to increase white blanched portion
⏱️ Maturity
75-120 days (from transplant); 100-150 days from seed
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ White stem and lower leaves (the shank)
🍽️ Green tops (use in stock/soup , tougher than white part)
🍽️ Flower scapes (edible, milder)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (5)
Classic companion , leeks repel carrot rust fly; carrots deter leek moth; mutual pest protection between two root vegetables
Leeks and celery share similar water/soil needs; leeks repel celery pests; known as 'the dynamic duo' in French intensive gardening
Improves flavor and growth; antifungal
Leeks repel aphids and slugs from lettuce; quick lettuce interplanted between slower leeks maximizes space
Leeks repel slugs, snails, and many strawberry pests
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
💊 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Properties
- Contains allicin (like garlic/onion but in lower concentrations) , antimicrobial
- Rich in vitamin K (important for blood clotting and bone health), vitamin A, and manganese
- Good source of prebiotic fiber (inulin) supporting gut health
- Traditional: leek soup used as a general tonic and for respiratory ailments
📝 Growing Notes
Leeks are the mildest allium , often called 'the gourmet's onion.' They have an extraordinarily long growing season (100, 150 days) but can be harvested at any size. Blanching (excluding light from the stem) produces the prized white portion , achieved by hilling soil or using cardboard collars. Leeks are one of the most cold-hardy vegetables , can overwinter in zones 5+ with heavy mulch. Unlike onions, leeks don't form bulbs.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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