Expert: Laura Walker - 8/21/2004

Question
We live in a condo in Florida.  Can we plant ornamental onion bulbs inside.  Everything I have read says they are wonderful in gardens outside (on the 17th floor near the ocean, we don't have an outside garden)

Answer
Judi,
I think you are thinking of a wonderful group of plants called Alliums,which believe it or not are actually in the lily family.They all have strap like leaves or stems that have the pungent scentof onions hence the name "ornamental onions). I have several dainty white garlic chives(also Alliums) in bloom right now.Some have mauve flowers.The largest and most noticeably unusual Alliums are the huge Globe Alliums in huge purple or white balls on huge stalks in spring or early summer.They grow from bulbs(the larger ones)which are planted in fall with spring blooming bulbs like Tylips and Daffodils or the smaller ones from fresh seed sewn outdoors in sumer or fall.I wouldn't bet on the tall bulb types indoors. If you don't have an outdoor patio or deck you can try planting seeds in small cell packs or pots in a bright window sill or under a plant light on a shelf.They need plenty of light to bloom,and are quite reliable inside from my own experience.Just have a little patience and start with the smaller species like chives,which come in small mauve colored spheres or the dainty white ones.Good luck and enjoy!