Candy

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Candy to a garden.

Honey-sweet and richly aromatic, Candy sweet onion forms large, globe-topped bulbs with a tender, juicy bite and a crisp, fine-grained texture.

Its mild flavor shines in fresh preparations, while its caramelizing sweetness makes it a standout for roasting and for turning into silky, golden sauces. Grow Candy for a harvest that feels as lush as it tastes—bulbs that store with confidence and reward the season’s patience.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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Candy Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 16th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 12th	Aug 20th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 6th	Aug 14th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 9th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Aug 5th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 24th	Aug 2nd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 18th	Jul 27th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 13th	Jul 22nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	Jul 12th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 25th	Jul 3rd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 16th	Jun 24th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 27th	Jun 7th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 2nd	May 13th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Candy sweet onions lean mild and juicy, so they eat clean and crisp raw—no harsh bite, just a honeyed snap. When cooked, they collapse into a glossy caramel that lends body and sweetness to sauces and roasts without tasting stewed or watery.

Best Uses

raw slicing for salads where you want a crisp, non-pungent bite
slow-roasting until jammy at the edges
pan-caramelizing for a silky, golden topping
blending into a smooth, sweet onion sauce or French-onion style base

Flavor Profile

honey-sweet aromatics tender juicy crunch mild but clearly oniony bite caramelizing sweetness that turns glossy and mellow

Kitchen Pairings

butter aged balsamic vinegar thyme provolone gruyère chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common problems on Allium cepa (bulb onion) and how do I treat them?

Onions (Allium cepa) commonly suffer from downy mildew and purple blotch, which show as gray/white patches or dark lesions on leaves. Remove and destroy infected foliage, avoid wetting the leaves, and improve airflow by spacing plants properly. If the problem is spreading, apply a labeled fungicide that’s approved for onions and follow label intervals closely.

How often should I water Allium cepa during bulbing (main growing phase)?

During bulbing, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and soil type. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly to prevent bulb rot. Stop regular watering as the tops begin to yellow and fall over, so the necks can dry for better storage.

How can I tell when Allium cepa bulbs are ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–75% of the onion tops have fallen over and the necks feel dry and tight. Bulbs should have formed papery skins; if you gently brush back soil, you should see full bulb size with no green, immature look. Lift with a fork to avoid cutting bulbs, then cure in a dry, airy place before storage.