Comparison · crop
Alliums: onion vs garlic vs leek
Compare bulb and stem alliums.
| Dimension | Onion | Garlic | Leek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Vegetable crop | Vegetable crop | Vegetable crop |
| Scientific name | Allium cepa | Allium sativum | Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum |
| Botanical family | Amaryllidaceae (formerly Alliaceae) | Amaryllidaceae (formerly Alliaceae) | Amaryllidaceae (formerly Alliaceae) |
| Lifecycle | Biennial, grown as an annual for bulb harvest | Perennial by nature, propagated vegetatively and grown as an annual | Biennial, grown as an annual for stem (shank) harvest |
| Common diseases | Downy Mildew, Fusarium Wilt | Fusarium Wilt, Downy Mildew | Downy Mildew, Gray Mold |
| Common pests | Thrips | Thrips | Thrips, Leaf Miners |
| Suitable soils | Sandy Soil, Loam Soil | Sandy Soil, Loam Soil | Loam Soil, Silt Soil |
Methodology
Descriptive dimensions (family, lifecycle, associated diseases/pests, soils) are read from each crop’s reference entry. No crop is ranked as “better”; agronomic outcomes are region- and system-specific.
Limitations
- Descriptive comparison only — not a yield, profitability, or suitability ranking.
- Associated diseases/pests and soils are typical, not exhaustive, and vary by region.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]FAO — Food and Agriculture Organization (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Type:
- Intergovernmental organization
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Authoritative
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12