We know that succulents are plants whose main feature is the storage of water either in their leaves, stem, or trunk. The pregnant onion plant (Albuca bracteata) has this feature that stands out very much, as its bulb looks like a bottle full of water. If you still do not have this succulent plant, look for it because it should certainly be part of your collection. This is the Pregnant Onion Plant Care Guide for Beginners.
Albuca bracteata is also known by the names of lucky onion, sea-onion, false sea onion, pregnant onions, onion succulent, or simply pregnant onion. This last one is because of the small bulbs (offspring) that are developing inside its layers giving it the appearance of being pregnant. Pregnant onion is a succulent of easy care, recommended for beginners or inexperienced in the world of succulent plants.
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Characteristics of Pregnant Onion Plant
The pregnant onion plant belongs to the Asparagaceae family. Pregnant onions are native to Southern Africa, specifically in the Cape provinces.
The color of its leaves is a bright green, elongated shape resembling a ribbon and can extend up to 8” (20 cm) in length even being a small bulb and up to 24” (60 cm) in larger specimens.
The pregnant onion succulent is a very appreciated ornamental plant, and you should grow Albuca bracteata indoors, the only thing you should not miss is very good lighting.
Pregnant Onion Care. Albuca bracteata is a plant that does not require demanding care. With the correct lighting, it is easy to grow Albuca bracteata indoors.
Pregnant Onion Care
Pregnant Onion Care. As we already mentioned in the previous paragraph, the pregnant onion does not require special care. Next, we will explain all about pregnant onion care.
Pregnant Onion Plant Care – Lighting
Pregnant Onion Plant Care. The pregnant onion is a succulent that tolerates only direct sun exposure in the mornings, if it receives the sun’s rays in the hottest hours it can get burns on its leaves, the idea is to have it in a place in semi-shade or filtered light.
As we mentioned before, you can have it inside your home, taking care that it receives very good illumination.
Pregnant Onion Care – Watering
Pregnant Onion Care – Watering. Our experience with this succulent is abundant watering with excellent drainage and not too spaced watering, especially if they have good drainage. The Pregnant Onion Plant consumes a little more water than most succulents.
If you are just starting in growing this onion succulent and don’t want to risk overwatering it, one of the indicators that tell you it already needs watering is that the outer layer of its bulb starts to wrinkle. That’s where you should undoubtedly give your pregnant onion plant water.
Pregnant Onion Care – Temperature
Pregnant Onion Care – Temperature. Pregnant onion does not tolerate frost well, so if in the winter where you live there is frost or the cold is very intense. We recommend you to shelter it inside your home, the minimum temperature it tolerates is 41 °F (5 °C).
The ideal temperature for Pregnant onion is between 59 °F to 80 °F (15 °C to 27 °C).
Pregnant Onion Care – Soil
Best Substrate for Pregnant Onion. Pregnant onion plant is a succulent that does not need special soil. You can have it in garden soil or black soil without any problem. Just take care of the watering.
If you want to provide better soil for Pregnant Onion you can make a combination that does not dry out so fast (especially if the area where you are is very hot). As we mentioned before, it is a plant that needs a little more water than the others.
- Provides the drainage cacti need to flourish.
- You will receive (1) 4-quart bag with this order.
- Ready to use, so that you don’t need to take the time and energy to mix ingredients together.
Onion Succulent Fertilization
Onion Succulent Fertilization. We can provide home fertilization with banana peel tea or when transplanting adds ground eggshell to its soil. Learn about Eggshells for Plants.
- Instantly feeds succulent plants, including cacti
- For all cacti, jade, aloe and other popular succulents
- Feeds instantly
How to Propagate Pregnant Onion Plant
Pregnant Onion Propagation. The easiest way to propagate our pregnant onion is through the offshoots or bulbs that sprout from its main bulb. You can let them grow until they alone detach from the mother plant or remove them and plant them on the substrate (do not bury them) so that they take root, and you have new onions.
It can also be propagated through seeds (Order it here).
Pregnant Onion Flower
Pregnant Onion Flower. The pregnant onion flower is very beautiful. The pregnant onion plant blooms between the spring to summer seasons, its flowers are aromatic and in long clustered inflorescences, they are white with a green center and have a diameter of 0.2” (0.5 cm). One plant can have more than 200 flowers at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
We regularly receive questions from our readers, and we answer them in the appropriate category. In this case, we have these questions from readers.
House Plant that Looks Like an Onion
Houseplant that Looks Like an Onion: The houseplant that looks like an onion is the Albuca bracteata also known as the Pregnant Onion Houseplant.
Pregnant Onion Plant Leaves Turning Brown
Pregnant Onion Leaves Turning Brown. If the leaves of the pregnant onion plant are turning brown, you are probably overwatering your plant. It is best to stop watering your plant and, if possible, change the substrate before the roots rot completely.
We hope this article about the pregnant onion will be useful. We recommend our article about Echeveria runyonii cultivar Care.
