Gold Coin

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweet, golden bulbs with a delicate, honeyed aroma—Gold Coin Cipollini onions form perfectly round “coin” shapes that feel satiny in the hand and roast up tenderly with a mellow depth.

The flesh is crisp yet yielding, with a gentle bite that shines in fresh slices and shines again when caramelized for rich, glossy sauces. Grow Gold Coin for a harvest that’s as beautiful on the counter as it is inspiring in the garden at 90 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Gold Coin Cipollini onions are built for the sweet spot: a gentle bite raw that doesn’t bully your palate, then turns silky and glossy when caramelized. Use them where you want visible rounds or tidy layers—roasting and reduction give you that honeyed, mellow depth without bitterness.

Best Uses

thin, fresh slices on top of rich fats (they stay snappy instead of going harsh)
carmelized whole or sliced for a glossy, jammy finish that coats whatever it touches
roasting until the layers slump—sweet edges, tender center
slow-simmered onion sauce where they melt down clean without turning bitter

Flavor Profile

sweet, honeyed aroma crisp-yet-silky bite mellow allium heat that turns tender and round with heat caramelizing into glossy, savory-sweet depth

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar thyme butter goat cheese gruyère sherry vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium cepa (gold coin cipollini onions), and what should I do?

Watch for onion thrips and downy mildew, which often show up as silvery streaking on leaves or fuzzy gray/purple growth and yellowing. Remove any badly infected foliage, avoid overhead watering, and space plants so leaves dry quickly after rain; for thrips, rinse leaves with a strong water jet and use insecticidal soap when thrips are actively feeding. If downy mildew persists, apply an appropriate labeled fungicide and keep the bed free of volunteer onion-family plants that can harbor disease.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase (bulb filling)?

During bulb formation, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rot, and reduce watering in the final 2–3 weeks to help bulbs mature and skins dry down. Use drip irrigation when possible to keep onion foliage dry.

How can I tell when gold coin cipollini onions (Allium cepa) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when about half the leaves have fallen over and the remaining leaves are drying, typically around 90 days. Stop watering once leaves start collapsing so skins can dry and toughen; lift bulbs gently to avoid bruising and cure them in a dry, airy place out of direct sun for 1–2 weeks. Onions are ready for storage when outer skins are papery and necks feel dry.