Picasso

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Aromatic and richly complex, Picasso shallots unfold with a sweet-onion fragrance and a gentle, lingering tang that feels both elegant and bold.

At maturity, the bulbs show striking, painterly skins—creamy white to blush with vivid burgundy-purple streaks—while the flesh stays crisp and tender, ideal for turning everyday dishes into something memorable. Grow Picasso for its heirloom character and dependable, cool-season performance, with bulbs that store well and shine in sauces, roasting, and pickling alike.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Picasso shallots start fragrant and sweet, then turn tangy without getting harsh—so they’re money for reductions where the slices soften into a silky, spoonable texture. Their crisp-tender bite also holds up in pickles and roasts, staying bright instead of turning sulfurous.

Best Uses

thin slicing for raw applications like quick-pickled shallot or salad garnish that stays crisp
sautéing into a glossy base for pan sauces and beurre blanc—no need to overcook to get sweetness
roasting until bronzed and jammy for spreadable topping on bread or steak
quick pickling for sharp, clean acidity that cuts through rich proteins

Flavor Profile

sweet-onion aroma gentle, lingering tang crisp-tender bite with aromatic depth mild heat that melts into silk when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

butter white wine vinegar fresh thyme black pepper champagne or dry vermouth gruyère

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common onion pest or disease problem for Allium cepa var. aggregatum (Picasso onion), and how can I prevent it?

Onion maggots and purple blotch (Alternaria) are among the most common issues for Allium cepa, especially when plants are stressed. Use row cover from planting until bulbing starts to deter adult onion flies, and keep foliage dry by watering at the soil line rather than overhead. If purple blotch shows up, remove badly infected leaves promptly and avoid high nitrogen so plants don’t stay lush and vulnerable late in the season.

How often should I water Picasso onions during the 60–90 day bulbing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

From about 60 days to harvest (when bulbs are forming), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for your rainfall and heat. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, then water deeply so moisture reaches the bulb zone. Avoid letting the soil swing to very dry or very wet, which can lead to split bulbs or slowed bulb development.

How do I tell when Picasso onions (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are ready to harvest at around 90 days?

Harvest when about half the tops have naturally fallen over and the necks feel tight rather than soft. Lift a test bulb—full-size bulbs with papery outer skins are the goal, and the skin should be dry enough to withstand handling. Stop watering once tops are falling and harvest on a dry day so bulbs cure faster.