Red Creole

Family: Amaryllidaceae Bulb Onion

Sweetly aromatic and richly colored, Red Creole forms medium-large bulbs with a burnished red skin that deepens to a jewel tone as it matures.

The flesh is crisp and juicy, balancing gentle sweetness with a lively allium bite—ideal for fresh use and for roasting until mellow and fragrant. Grow this intermediate-day onion for dependable harvests around 105 days, with bulbs that store with confidence and add striking color to every garden basket.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 105 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Aug 1st
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	105
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)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Creole’s balance of gentle sweetness and a clean allium bite makes it a standout for fresh use—raw slices stay crisp instead of turning watery. Roast it hard and low just until jammy at the edges; the jewel-toned flesh goes syrupy without getting ashy or bitter.

Best Uses

raw slicing for burgers and sandwiches—thin enough to stay snappy, not harsh
hot sear or quick-char in fajitas where the sweetness blooms fast
roasting whole or in wedges until edges go bronzed and tender
caramelized base for soups and stews—deep color without turning bitter

Flavor Profile

sweetly aromatic oniony bite crisp, juicy crunch mellow, jammy sweetness when roasted lingering allium snap

Kitchen Pairings

lime black pepper butter aged cheddar white vinegar beef

Frequently Asked Questions

What onion (Allium cepa) pest or disease should I watch for, and what should I do first?

Watch for onion maggots and downy mildew (a common Allium problem). For onion maggots, use floating row cover over seedlings and remove any infested plants promptly; for downy mildew, keep foliage dry with morning watering and improve airflow by spacing plants correctly, then remove affected leaves to slow spread. Avoid working in the bed when plants are wet to reduce disease transfer.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase to keep bulbs developing well?

During active leaf growth and bulb swelling (roughly mid-season), water deeply about 1 inch per week, adjusting for heat—keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rot and disease buildup. Inconsistent watering can cause stunted or split bulbs at harvest.

How can I tell when Allium cepa ‘Red Creole’ is ready to harvest at home?

Harvest when about 1/2 to 2/3 of the plants have fallen over and the necks begin to soften, typically around 105 days from planting. Gently lift one bulb to confirm the bulb size and check that the outer skins are papery and colored. Stop watering as harvest approaches and cure bulbs in a warm, airy place out of direct sun for 1–2 weeks.