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Native Plant Society of Texas

Prairie Onion

Allium stellatum

Other common name(s):

Autumn Onion

Family:

Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers
Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Gravelly, Rocky, Limestone, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Striking when planted in mass. Appreciates morning sun and afternoon shade. Deadhead flowers before setting seed if you would like to prevent self-seeding. Propagation: root division, seed.

Comments

Blooms January-December. Produces chive-like stems and leaves that die back as the flowering stalks appear. Flowers are clustered in rounded umbels on a single flowering stalk. The fruit is a capsule.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification For most efficient growth, plant Prairie Onion Allium Stellatum seeds in the fall; the seed will remain dormant until early spring. Nodding Onion can also be direct sown in early spring, after the seeds have been refrigerated for 60 days. To start indoors, keep the seed in the refrigerator for 60 days then plant 2-3 Prairie Onion Allium Stellatum seeds each in individual pots. Keep the soil lightly moist and the temperature around 60 degrees F until germination. Germination may be slow. Keep young seedlings moist until they become established. 1) https://www.everwilde.com/store/Allium-stellatum-WildFlower-Seed.html#:~:text=HOW%20TO%20GROW,as%20soon%20as%20they%20fade. 2) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+stellatum#:~:text=Plant%20Propagation,their%20permanent%20positions%20if%20required.
Bulb Division Once a plant has eight to 10 shoots, or every third year, you can dig up and separate the bulblets from the parent bulb. After you have dug up the parent bulb, carefully pull the larger bulblets off, but leave any tiny offsets still attached to allow them to grow larger before separating in a later season. Plant each new division and the parent bulb root side down about four inches deep and four to six inches apart into loosened soil. Cover with soil, and water lightly. You can divide prairie onions at any time during the growing season, but the best time to separate and plant the bulbs is in the autumn. 1) https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-prairie-onion/#:~:text=Sow%20two%20to%20three%20seeds,bulblets%20from%20the%20parent%20bulb. 2) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+stellatum#:~:text=Plant%20Propagation,their%20permanent%20positions%20if%20required.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason