How much sun does Mexicali onion need?

Mexicali onion grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Mexicali onion bloom?

Mexicali onion blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Mexicali onion native?

Mexicali onion (Allium peninsulare) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Mexicali onion attract?

Mexicali onion draws native bees and butterflies.

Mexicali onion

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Allium peninsulare

Last reviewed: September 2026

Mexicali onion (Allium peninsulare) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw native bees and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

Mexicali onion (Allium peninsulare) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

6"–16" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

native bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Mexicali onion.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A small bulb-forming perennial with grass-like leaves and a compact umbel of pink-purple, onion-scented flowers atop a slender stalk. It grows on rocky slopes and grassland, going dormant after spring bloom.

Growing Mexicali onion

Grow Mexicali onion in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 16 inches tall and spread 4 to 8 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its flowers provide nectar for native bees and small butterflies during spring bloom.

Common questions

How much sun does Mexicali onion need?: Mexicali onion grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Mexicali onion bloom?: Mexicali onion blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Mexicali onion native?: Mexicali onion (Allium peninsulare) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Mexicali onion attract?: Mexicali onion draws native bees and butterflies.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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Ready to grow Mexicali onion? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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