Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. A moisture loving plant according to another report. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Bulbs grow to a good size under cultivation. Some forms of this species produce many bulbils and are considered to be a pernicious weed in some areas of America, there is some risk that they could spread aggressively in Britain. A. canadense mobilense. (Reg.)F.M.Ownb. is a form that does not produce bulbils and is much better behaved. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Bulb - raw or cooked. It can be used as a vegetable, or as a flavoring in soups and stews, and can also be pickled. The bulb is up to 30mm in diameter, it is crisp, mild and with a pleasant flavor. Used as a leek substitute according to one report, it is a garlic substitute according to others[55, 159, K]. Leaves - raw or cooked. A delicious mild flavor, they are available from early spring until the autumn. They make a very acceptable salad and can also be used as a greens or as a flavoring in cooked foods. Flowers - raw. A little bit stronger flavor than the leaves, especially as the seeds begin to form, they can be used as a flavoring and garnish on salads. Some forms of this species produce bulbils. These top-setting bulbils make a fine onion flavored pickle. They are said to have a superior flavor to other pickled onions.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough. Division in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required. Bulbils planted in situ when ripe.

Sandy soils in low woods, thickets and meadows.