Leek, Allium ampeloprasum, is the mild, sweet onion relative with a thick white shaft and flat, overlapping green leaves. It is used in soups, stews and pies in European cooking and in Indian hotel and home kitchens. It is grown in the Nilgiris, Himachal and other cool regions. It is the national emblem of Wales.
- Botanical name
- Allium ampeloprasum L.
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Tamil
- Leek
- Hindi
- Leek
- Parts used
- Leaf shaft, Bulb
- Habit
- Leek; onion is a cousin, not this shaft
- Last updated
- 2026-10-30
How to recognise Leek
It is a tall, stout plant with flat, broad, folded leaves that overlap to form a thick white or pale green shaft rather than a round bulb.
If left to flower, it produces a tall stalk with a large, round head of pink to purple flowers.
The smell is mild and onion-like.
Spring onion, Allium fistulosum or young Allium cepa, has hollow, round leaves.
Elephant garlic, with huge mild cloves, is a form of the same species.
Traditional use of Leek
European kitchen
Leeks are used in soups such as vichyssoise and cock-a-leekie, and in stews, pies and gratins.
European food practice
Welsh tradition
The leek is a national symbol of Wales, worn on St David’s Day.
Welsh tradition
Modern notes on Leek
Leeks provide fibre, vitamin K and folate, and the same sulphur compounds as other alliums, in milder form.
Growers earth up soil around the shafts to keep them white, which is called blanching.
Leek safety
Wash leeks well, because soil gets trapped between the layers. Like other alliums they are toxic to dogs and cats.
Ecology and sourcing
Its wild ancestor is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia.
In India it grows best in cool weather, in the hills or as a winter crop.
Its flowers attract bees.
It is a biennial: it builds the shaft in its first season and flowers in the second if left in the ground.
Related plants
Also in Amaryllidaceae
Questions about Leek
What older names does Allium ampeloprasum go by?
Allium porrum.
Is Leek a spring onion?
No. Spring onions have hollow round leaves.
How do I clean Leek?
Slice it lengthwise and rinse between the layers.
Which part is eaten?
Mainly the white and pale green shaft. The dark green tops are tougher and usually go into stock.
Sources
- Allium ampeloprasum L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q148995 (Allium ampeloprasum)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.