Red Long Of Tropea

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly aromatic and richly colored, Red Long Of Tropea forms elegant, elongated bulbs with a deep garnet-red skin that glows like burnished velvet.

The flesh is crisp and juicy, offering a gentle bite that mellows beautifully—ideal for roasting, caramelizing, and slow-simmered sauces, as well as standout fresh slices and pickling. Grow it for its distinctive long silhouette and dependable, harvest-ready bulbs that look as striking as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Botanical illustration of Red Long Of Tropea

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Red Long Of Tropea 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	Jun 2nd	Sep 30th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 29th	Sep 26th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 27th	Sep 24th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 22nd	Sep 19th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	May 18th	Sep 15th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	May 15th	Sep 12th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	May 9th	Sep 6th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	May 4th	Sep 1st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 24th	Aug 22nd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Apr 15th	Aug 13th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Apr 6th	Aug 4th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Mar 20th	Jul 18th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 23rd	Jun 23rd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th

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)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This long red onion gives you a sweet, aromatic strike at first bite, then turns tender and juicy instead of going sharp. Use it where the sugars can work—roast, caramelize, or simmer—so you get glossy, velvet-dark results that don’t overwhelm delicate cheeses or stocks.

Best Uses

thin, raw slices for crisp salads where you want clean crunch not harsh sting
slow caramelizing until jammy and dark without turning bitter
roasting or sheet-pan browning for silky edges and juicy interior
slow-simmered red onion sauces that stay sweet and clean, not sharp

Flavor Profile

sweetly aromatic oniony bite crisp, juicy crunch mellowing tenderness with gentle caramel notes deep garnet-skin sweetness when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar goat cheese thyme butter brisket chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Allium cepa (red onion) in home gardens, and how can I manage it?

Onions (Allium cepa) are commonly hit by purple blotch (Alternaria porri) and botrytis neck rot, especially when foliage stays wet. Water at the soil line, space plants so air circulates, and remove any yellowing or infected leaves; if purple blotch appears, start a labeled fungicide early and repeat as directed. For neck rot prevention, avoid bruising bulbs at harvest and cure them promptly until the neck is tight and dry.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase?

During active bulbing (mid-season), keep the top 2–4 inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply when the soil surface begins to dry, and stop watering 10–14 days before harvest so the bulbs can cure and not stay overly wet. Avoid frequent light sprinkling that wets the onion tops.

How do I tell when Allium cepa (red onions) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the tops begin to fall over naturally and about 50–70% of the leaves are down, and the bulb skins feel papery. Use the days to maturity (~120) as a guide, but rely on the topping and skin quality. Lift carefully, cure bulbs in a dry, airy spot until the neck is tight and dry, then trim roots and tops.