Shallots are one of the easiest members of the onion family. Each bulb you plant divides into a cluster of 4 to 12 new bulbs, and they store well for months. They have a mild, sweet flavor prized in cooking, and they cost far less to grow than to buy. This page covers when to plant, how deep and far apart to set them, how to care for them and how to harvest and cure them.
Shallot at a glance
| Type | Vegetable |
|---|---|
| Season | Cool-season |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 6 in |
| Row spacing | 12 in |
| Per square foot | 4 |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Days to maturity | 90–120 from planting |
| How to start | Plant sets 2–4 weeks before last frost, or in fall where winters are mild |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant shallots
Plant shallot sets in early spring, 2 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked. In regions with mild winters, you can also plant in fall, about the time you plant garlic, for an earlier and often larger harvest the next summer.
Find your dates with the frost dates by ZIP code tool.
How to plant shallots
- Buy sets for planting. Use firm bulbs sold for planting; grocery shallots may be treated or carry disease.
- Choose full sun and loose, well-drained soil. Mix in compost. Shallots rot in soggy ground.
- Plant shallow. Separate the cloves of each bulb and plant them pointed end up, about 1 inch deep, with the tip at or just above the soil.
- Space them out. Use the spacing in the table above so each set has room to form a cluster. The square foot gardening calculator shows how many fit.
Caring for shallots
Keep the soil evenly moist, about an inch of water a week, and stop watering once the leaves start to yellow. The garden watering calculator turns this into gallons.
Weed regularly, because shallots compete poorly with weeds. A light side-dressing of compost or a balanced fertilizer in spring is enough. As bulbs develop, pull soil back from them so they sit on top of the soil; do not hill them up. Remove any flower stalks.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Carrots, beets, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage-family crops |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Peas and beans; asparagus |
Like onions, shallots are said to help mask carrots and cabbage-family crops from pests. Lettuce and beets grow well between rows. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bolting | A flower stalk forms | Usually from a cold snap or large sets. Cut off the stalk; use those bulbs first. |
| Rot | Soft, rotting bulbs in the ground | Poor drainage or overwatering. Plant in well-drained soil or raised beds and do not plant too deep. The overwatering checker can help. |
| Onion thrips | Silvery streaks on leaves | Spray leaves with water and keep plants watered. See the pest identifier. |
| Onion maggot | Plants wilt and yellow; maggots in bulbs | Use row cover and rotate onion-family crops. |
| Small clusters | Few or small bulbs per set | Crowding, weeds or dry soil. Space properly and keep weeded and watered. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Shallots are ready when the leaves turn yellow and fall over, usually in mid summer for spring plantings and early summer for fall plantings. Lift the clusters with a fork on a dry day.
Cure them in a warm, dry, airy spot out of direct sun for 2 to 3 weeks, until the necks are dry and the skins papery. Then trim the tops and separate the bulbs. Stored in a cool, dry place, shallots keep for 6 months or more. Save a few of the best bulbs to replant. Use the harvest date calculator to plan.
Plan your shallots
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant shallots?
Space shallots 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 4 per square foot.
How deep do I plant shallot sets?
Plant each shallot set about 1 inch deep, pointed end up, with the tip at or just above the soil surface.
How long do shallots take to grow?
Most varieties are ready 90–120 days from planting. Check the seed packet, because early and late varieties differ.
How much water do shallots need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Stop watering once the leaves start to yellow before harvest.
Can I plant shallots in the fall?
Yes, in regions with mild winters. Fall-planted shallots often give an earlier and larger harvest the next summer. In cold regions, plant in early spring.
How many shallots grow from one bulb?
Each planted bulb usually divides into a cluster of about 4 to 12 new shallots.