Red Shallot

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweetly aromatic and richly savory, Red Shallot brings a deep, wine-red skin that slips away to reveal a tender, rosy-tinged interior.

At maturity it forms neat, clustered bulbs with a fine, silky texture—ideal for building bold flavor in sautés, sauces, and slow-simmered favorites, or for quick pickling when you want a tangy bite. Grow it for dependable harvests around 75 days, with bulbs that store well and taste even better as they mellow.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red shallots trade the harshness you get from bigger onions for a sweeter, rosier allium character that cooks down into something silky rather than stewy. Use them where you want flavor to melt—like a sauce’s backbone—or where their tangy bite can stand up on its own after quick pickling.

Best Uses

fast sautéing for glossy, evenly cooked sweetness
slow-simmered sauces and braises where it melts into the base
thin slicing for sharp, juicy raw use that won’t overpower
quick pickling for a tangy, ruby-colored crunch

Flavor Profile

sweetly aromatic allium bite silky, tender flesh with a gentle snap winey-savory depth that mellows with heat lightly tangy edge when pickled

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme red wine black pepper balsamic vinegar beef

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects red shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum), and how can I treat it?

A frequent problem is onion fly (Delia spp.) or maggot damage, which causes wilting and tunneling in the bulb. Cover seedlings with fine mesh row cover immediately after planting, and remove any badly wilting plants to break the breeding cycle; if damage appears, re-check plants and focus on preventing further egg-laying with continued exclusion. For disease, watch for downy mildew (gray/white growth on leaves and yellowing); remove infected leaves early and keep foliage drier by watering at the soil line rather than overhead.

How often should I water red shallots during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level do they need?

During active leaf growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total rainfall plus irrigation, adjusted for heat and soil drainage. When bulbs are swelling (mid-season), water more cautiously and allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot. Consistent moisture is key, but soggy soil near harvest can lead to bulb decay.

How do I tell when red shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when most leaves have yellowed and flopped over—typically around 75 days from planting for your variety’s conditions. Gently lift a test bulb: the papery skin should be well developed and tight around the cloves, and bulbs should feel firm rather than soft. Stop watering about 7–10 days before harvest to help skins cure for better storage.