Everything You Need to Know About Spring Onion — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Sibuyas na Mura — from root scrap to garnish.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.
Spring onions are an essential Filipino kitchen ingredient. Chopped green tops garnish pancit, fried rice, arroz caldo, lugaw, and sopas. The white bulb end is used in stir-fries and as a base for sauteeing alongside garlic. They are also sliced into sawsawan (dipping sauce) with vinegar and soy sauce.
Spring onions are among the most regrown kitchen scraps in Filipino homes. Simply placing the root end in water produces new greens within days, making it the ultimate zero-waste urban gardening project. A must-have in every Filipino kitchen window.
Germination Guide
From scrap to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from scraps to seeds.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.
Full sun (6+ hours); tolerates partial shade
Regular; keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Compost at planting; side-dress with vermicast every 2-3 weeks for lusher greens
18-30°C (thrives in Philippine climate)
60-80%; handles tropical humidity well
Top up with compost after each major harvest; keep free of weeds.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.
Green tops are 20-30 cm tall, firm, and hollow. Leaves are deep green and snap cleanly.
Cut green tops 3 cm above soil level for continuous regrowth. Or pull the entire plant for both whites and greens. Stagger plantings for year-round supply.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Slimy or rotting root end
Cause: Stagnant water or overwatering in soil
Solution: Change water daily when growing in water. In soil, ensure good drainage and avoid waterlogging.
Yellowing leaf tips
Cause: Nutrient depletion after multiple harvests or nitrogen deficiency
Solution: Side-dress with compost or liquid fish emulsion. Replace exhausted root scraps with fresh ones.
Thrips (silvery spots on leaves)
Cause: Tiny insects feeding on leaf tissue, common in dry weather
Solution: Spray with neem oil. Increase watering frequency. Use blue sticky traps.
Flowering/bolting
Cause: Stress from heat, drought, or age
Solution: Harvest before flower stalks emerge. Start new plants regularly for continuous supply.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.