Your white onion is growing green sprouts because it's trying to reproduce. Having been removed from the soil, the onion senses it won't be replanted and begins to utilize its stored sugars and nutrients to grow a new stem, essentially sprouting to continue its life cycle.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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The Onion's Natural Instinct: Onions are programmed to grow and reproduce. Underground, they would normally develop into larger bulbs or form new plants.
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Separation from the Soil: Once harvested, the onion bulb is no longer actively taking up nutrients from the soil. This disrupts its normal growth pattern.
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Activation of Sprouting: Realizing it's not going back into the ground, the onion interprets this as a signal to use its stored energy (sugars and nutrients) to sprout. This allows it to potentially produce seeds and continue its life cycle, even without being planted.
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Consuming Stored Resources: The sprouting process draws energy from the onion bulb itself. You'll likely notice the onion becoming softer and less firm as the sprout grows.
What to do with a sprouting onion:
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Eat it: Sprouted onions are generally safe to eat. The sprouted green part can be used like a scallion or chive. The bulb itself might be a little less flavorful and more pungent but is still usable, especially if the sprout is small. However, discard the onion if it smells bad or feels slimy, as that indicates spoilage.
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Plant it: If you have the space, you can plant the sprouted onion. It may produce a new onion, although it might not be as large as one grown from seed.
Preventing sprouting:
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Proper Storage: Store onions in a cool, dry, and dark place with good ventilation. Avoid storing them near potatoes, as potatoes release ethylene gas, which can cause onions to sprout.
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Use Sooner: Use your onions before they have a chance to sprout.
