Discover some perennial vegetables you can plant once and enjoy for many years.
There is nothing more satisfying than cultivating your own food, though the downsides of gardening include high costs, unexplained plant deaths, pest problems, and the overwhelming tasks of preparing the garden in spring or cleaning up in fall. We have created a list of perennial vegetables for a home garden, organized by categories such as alliums, leafy greens, and other lesser-known perennial vegetables!
Garlic
Softneck garlic, typically found at your nearby grocery store, is suitable for growing in Zones 6 through 10. For those residing in colder areas (Zones 6 and lower), consider planting hardneck garlic. While softneck types have a longer shelf life, this variety is resilient as a perennial even in Zone 0.
Leeks
Certain individuals, known as summer leeks, lack strong resilience. If you don't reside in a mild or moderate climate, they will not survive winter. Winter leeks have a unique tale. In Zones 7 and above, they can thrive all year long with no assistance needed.
This can be extended up to Zone 5 by adding ample mulch. You have the option to begin in either spring or fall, however, it is important to note that they require a significant amount of time (up to four or five years) to develop enough to be used in a quiche.
This can be extended up to Zone 5 by adding ample mulch. You have the option to begin in either spring or fall, however, it is important to note that they require a significant amount of time (up to four or five years) to develop enough to be used in a quiche.
Potato Onions
While standard onions do not function as perennials, some of their relatives do. The potato onion, also referred to as the multiplying onion, is a highly favored choice. Like shallots, potato onions propagate primarily through bulb division rather than seed. If you're already growing garlic and shallots, you might as well plant some potato onions too.
They are cultivated in a similar manner: sown during autumn and reaped in the late summer. Keep some potato onions to use for replanting in the fall. Saving and replanting your potato onions allows you to sustain your crop continuously. What occurs if you do not collect in autumn? The potato onions will start growing again in the spring season!
Are you aware that since each onion left in the ground will sprout, the plants will become very crowded? Gardeners typically value potato onions for their infrequent blooming. While onion flowers are able to be consumed, the growth of the bulb halts once they emerge, leading to them often being viewed as unwanted.
They are cultivated in a similar manner: sown during autumn and reaped in the late summer. Keep some potato onions to use for replanting in the fall. Saving and replanting your potato onions allows you to sustain your crop continuously. What occurs if you do not collect in autumn? The potato onions will start growing again in the spring season!
Are you aware that since each onion left in the ground will sprout, the plants will become very crowded? Gardeners typically value potato onions for their infrequent blooming. While onion flowers are able to be consumed, the growth of the bulb halts once they emerge, leading to them often being viewed as unwanted.
Walking Onions
Also referred to as an Egyptian walking onion or tree onion, this type is a combination of shallots and Welsh onions. The delicate green plant is utilized as scallions continuously during the spring and summer seasons. What differentiates the walking onion from numerous other Alliums is its tendency to not really generate flowers. Instead of that, the plant generates a group of small bulbs (known as bulbils) very close to the top.
These resemble small onions and, naturally, can be eaten. Typically, you can roast or grill them in their entirety, including the skin. If left undisturbed, walking onions will bend over and plant themselves again. The energetic walking onion thrives in Zones 3 to 10 and is simple to cultivate. Simply handle yours as you would with garlic or shallots and you'll be successful.
These resemble small onions and, naturally, can be eaten. Typically, you can roast or grill them in their entirety, including the skin. If left undisturbed, walking onions will bend over and plant themselves again. The energetic walking onion thrives in Zones 3 to 10 and is simple to cultivate. Simply handle yours as you would with garlic or shallots and you'll be successful.
Welsh Onions
We just brought up the Welsh onion, and here it is, also a perennial. Allium fistulosum, a variety of scallions, is not native to Wales but has its origins in China. Despite its origins, it is now well-loved globally for its edible leaves and stems. It typically does not produce big bulbs like other types of onions.
Rather it grows clusters of green stems that have white tips (some varieties have pinkish-purple tips). Chances are you've heard about this variety known as bunching onions, Japanese bunching onions, or spring onions. In simpler terms, scallions!
Rather it grows clusters of green stems that have white tips (some varieties have pinkish-purple tips). Chances are you've heard about this variety known as bunching onions, Japanese bunching onions, or spring onions. In simpler terms, scallions!
Dandelions
Pollinators are attracted to them, and for human consumption, they are not only edible but also quite adaptable. We likely do not need to instruct you on how to cultivate dandelions, such as the pink dandelion, which is both ornamental and edible since they usually develop on their own. Simply plant them in a planter for ground cover.
Also, you can place them in the garden between Zones 3 to 10 to appreciate their flowers and leaves each spring. If you are unsure about how to utilize dandelion, here are a few options that people particularly enjoy: Utilize the leaves in salads or incorporate them into stir-fries. Cook the root by roasting it or boiling it. Create fritters using dandelion flowers. Convert the flowers into dandelion jelly.
Also, you can place them in the garden between Zones 3 to 10 to appreciate their flowers and leaves each spring. If you are unsure about how to utilize dandelion, here are a few options that people particularly enjoy: Utilize the leaves in salads or incorporate them into stir-fries. Cook the root by roasting it or boiling it. Create fritters using dandelion flowers. Convert the flowers into dandelion jelly.
Good King Henry
As stated, this plant serves as a vegetable as well. Or perhaps we should mention it was utilized as a vegetable just like several of the perennial vegetables in this collection but it has somehow become less popular. Good-king-henry, a type of goosefoot native to central and southern Europe, provides edible leaves that serve as a suitable substitute for spinach.
The young shoots are edible and are occasionally referred to as "poor man's asparagus." This plant, like many others labeled as weeds, is simple to cultivate in your garden. In Zones 3 and above, you can keep it as a perennial plant. Simply ensure that you provide it with an ample amount of water during the entire growing period.
The young shoots are edible and are occasionally referred to as "poor man's asparagus." This plant, like many others labeled as weeds, is simple to cultivate in your garden. In Zones 3 and above, you can keep it as a perennial plant. Simply ensure that you provide it with an ample amount of water during the entire growing period.
Nine-Star Perennial Broccoli
Another little-known perennial vegetable (suitable for Zones 8 and higher) that we believe more home gardeners should be introduced to is ‘Nine Star’ broccoli. Also known as Brassica oleracea, it is a type of broccoli that grows year after year. This heirloom variety is quite uncommon these days, possibly due to its smaller yields compared to regular broccoli, but it's truly a great gardening tip.
Is broccoli never-ending? Yes! Initially, a single main head emerges, and once this is collected, several smaller ones, typically around nine, will sprout. Planting 'Nine Star' broccoli in spring will result in a successful harvest the following year. Simply utilize the sprouts in the same way as you would regular broccoli. After about five years, when the plant starts to lose grip, you have the option to either propagate it or plant fresh ones.
Is broccoli never-ending? Yes! Initially, a single main head emerges, and once this is collected, several smaller ones, typically around nine, will sprout. Planting 'Nine Star' broccoli in spring will result in a successful harvest the following year. Simply utilize the sprouts in the same way as you would regular broccoli. After about five years, when the plant starts to lose grip, you have the option to either propagate it or plant fresh ones.
Oyster Leaf
Perfect if you're seeking a vegan alternative to delicious shellfish, or if you're simply interested in experimenting with a different option. People enjoy using fresh oyster leaves to highlight flavor. One option is to combine them with microgreens to create a basic salad, which you can then serve beneath grilled fish or scallops.
The leaves are also a tasty addition as a garnish; you can add a touch of lemon to surf and turf dishes for flavor. Similar to sea kale, oyster leaf is a plant found by the shore. It can be found in the northern regions such as Scotland and Canada, where it thrives on salty and rocky shores.
The leaves are also a tasty addition as a garnish; you can add a touch of lemon to surf and turf dishes for flavor. Similar to sea kale, oyster leaf is a plant found by the shore. It can be found in the northern regions such as Scotland and Canada, where it thrives on salty and rocky shores.
Radicchio
Have you also been informed about its more vibrant relative, radicchio? We adore the rich, deep purple-red shade of this leafy green vegetable. This popular Italian dish is loved for its bitter taste and works well for both roasting and adding to salads. After the roots are roasted, they can also be finely ground to create a substitute for coffee.
Sea Kale
Are you able to notice the love for unique or overlooked vegetables? These leaves can be consumed in a comparable way and have a slightly nutty and bitter flavor. Similar to white asparagus, blanching includes shielding the shoots in their early stages to produce a pale harvest with a milder flavor. This plant is indeed big.
Make sure to allocate enough space in the garden (minimum of 2 feet by 2 feet) for it. In case your sea kale grows too big, simply pull it out, separate the thick roots, and then transplant each root segment to a different spot in the garden. Remember that any remaining pieces of roots in the soil have the potential to sprout a new plant, so ensure you remove all of them.
Make sure to allocate enough space in the garden (minimum of 2 feet by 2 feet) for it. In case your sea kale grows too big, simply pull it out, separate the thick roots, and then transplant each root segment to a different spot in the garden. Remember that any remaining pieces of roots in the soil have the potential to sprout a new plant, so ensure you remove all of them.
Sorrel
The garden sorrel is a plant that usually emerges early in spring. It is vibrant and citrusy, ideal for enhancing a rich leek and sorrel soup, garnishing a garden vegetable toast, or introducing a touch of freshness to a summer salad. You can also cultivate true French sorrel and red-veined sorrel. Sorrel, like good-king-henry, can also be seen as a type of weed, but one that is edible.
Tree Kale
Do you remember anything you previously knew about kale? We believe that tree kale (also known as tree collard) is even a much better plant. This unique brassica earns its name due to its towering height (which definitely towers very high), in contrast to the usual compact rosette shape we are used to seeing in this type of brassica. It is also referred to as walking stick kale (for obvious reasons), cow cabbage, or Jersey cabbage.
Tree kale is unique because it is a perennial plant, allowing you to continuously harvest leaves for salads and dishes all year long. This is because, due to selective cultivation, it has largely lost the capacity to produce flowers and shoot up. Several types, like the well-liked French D’Aubenton and the English Taunton Deane, have a less intense flavor compared to traditional kale. Tree kale can be grown as a perennial in Zones 7 to 8 and beyond.
Tree kale is unique because it is a perennial plant, allowing you to continuously harvest leaves for salads and dishes all year long. This is because, due to selective cultivation, it has largely lost the capacity to produce flowers and shoot up. Several types, like the well-liked French D’Aubenton and the English Taunton Deane, have a less intense flavor compared to traditional kale. Tree kale can be grown as a perennial in Zones 7 to 8 and beyond.
Conclusion
These vegetable plants are the first to grow in late winter to early spring, relieving the need to plant seeds or move seedlings. They have the perfect timing to thrive throughout the year, fading away when necessary, and repeating the cycle annually, requiring minimal effort from you aside from mulching, watering, and harvesting.
