Pikku

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Pikku shallots bring a bright, sweet-onion perfume with a gentle, lingering warmth—small bulbs that feel luxurious in the hand and reward with silky, tender layers.

At maturity, Pikku forms neat, clustered offsets with a smooth, paper-thin skin and a crisp snap that softens beautifully into a delicate, aromatic texture. Grow Pikku for fresh use, quick pickling, and richly flavored sauces where its mild depth shines most clearly.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 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	Aug 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
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)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Pikku shallots are small and fragrant with a sweetness that doesn’t turn sharp, so they cook down into a silky layer rather than melting into onion funk. Use them when you want that perfumed, gentle warmth—especially in quick pickles or fast-reduced sauces where their aroma stays front and center.

Best Uses

thin slicing for fast, no-cook salads and tartare where the crunch stays intact
quick pickling to make jewel-bright, crisp condiments
shallow-sautéing until just tender for silky sauces and pan reductions
fine-chopping into compound butters to perfume steak or shellfish without overpowering

Flavor Profile

bright sweet-onion perfume mild, gently warming allium bite silky, tender layers when cooked quick pickling tang with floral aromatics

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar butter white wine thyme chicken goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a common pest or disease for Allium cepa var. aggregatum (red French/pikku onions), and how can I control it at home?

Onions are often hit by onion maggots and (later) purple blotch/leaf blight. Watch for wilting with larvae near the base (onion maggot) and remove/ditch heavily affected plants; for blotch, improve airflow, water at the base, and remove infected leaves early to slow spread. If pressure is high, use a floating row cover over seedlings to deter adult onion flies, and avoid planting into beds where alliums grew last season.

How often should I water pikku onions during the main growing phase to avoid problems?

During active leaf growth, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 soakings if it’s hot or windy. If the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dries out, water again; consistently soggy soil encourages rot at the base and poor bulb development.

How do I know when pikku onions are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 120 days when the tops yellow heavily and begin falling over, with necks starting to dry down. Lift a few bulbs to check size and firmness—mature bulbs should feel solid with papery outer skins. Cure harvested onions in a warm, airy place for 1–2 weeks until necks are dry, then trim tops for storage.