SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Super Star

Family: Amaryllidaceae Bulb Onion

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Super Star to a garden.

Aromatically sweet at first touch, Super Star onions develop a mellow, golden depth with a crisp snap and a finely layered, tender bite.

Their intermediate-day timing brings dependable bulbs to the garden in about 110 days, forming well-rounded shapes with a handsome, papery sheen that stores with confidence. Grow Super Star for bold flavor in everyday cooking, from roasting and sautéing to savory sauces and pickling brines—an all-purpose onion that stays vibrant from harvest through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Botanical illustration of Super Star

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Super Star 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 May 12th Aug 30th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a Mar 6th May 8th Aug 26th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b Mar 4th May 6th Aug 24th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a Feb 27th May 1st Aug 19th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b Feb 23rd Apr 27th Aug 15th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a Feb 20th Apr 24th Aug 12th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b Feb 14th Apr 18th Aug 6th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a Feb 9th Apr 13th Aug 1st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b Jan 30th Apr 3rd Jul 22nd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a Jan 21st Mar 25th Jul 13th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b Jan 12th Mar 16th Jul 4th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a Dec 26th Feb 27th Jun 17th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b Dec 1st Feb 2nd May 23rd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity110
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitBulbing
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)40
Min Night Temp (°F)28
Harden Off (days)7

Culinary Notes


Chef's Note

Super Star’s intermediate-day sweetness is built for the first bite—raw or barely cooked it stays crisp, while heat coaxes it into a mellow, golden “browned-silk” texture for pan sauces. Use it when you want onion flavor to show up clearly without turning sharp or watery.

Best Uses

  • caramelizing or roasting whole-thick slices for browned edges and jammy centers
  • hot sauté and quick pan sauce building base for chicken, mushrooms, or sausage
  • thin-sliced raw applications where you want sweet crunch without harshness
  • quick-pickling in brine for bright, candy-like onion tang

Flavor Profile

initially sweet, aromatic allium bite mellow golden depth with a rounded finish crisp snap turning tender and slightly jammy when cooked finely layered, not stringy—clean slices

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme sherry vinegar chicken stock goat cheese mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions


How do I prevent and treat onion (Allium cepa) downy mildew or purple blotch?
In onions (Allium cepa), downy mildew and purple blotch show as gray/whitish fuzzy patches or purple lesions on leaves, especially when nights are cool and foliage stays wet. Water at the base so leaves dry quickly, remove badly infected tops, and improve airflow by spacing bulbs properly. If problems start early, use a labeled onion fungicide and keep spraying on the label schedule until you see new growth staying clean.
How often should I water super star onions during the main bulbing phase?
During bulbing (often after seedlings establish and days length increases), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rain and irrigation, adjusting for heat and soil drainage. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot, then water deeply to encourage strong root systems. Once tops begin to yellow and fall naturally, reduce watering to help bulbs finish and cure.
When are super star onions ready to harvest, and how can I confirm it?
Harvest when about 50–70% of tops have fallen over and the remaining leaves are yellowing, typically around 110 days for this type of Allium cepa. Lift a few bulbs first to check: skins should feel papery and tight, and the bulb neck should be firm. Cure harvested onions in a warm, airy spot for 1–2 weeks until outer skins are fully dry, then trim roots and tops for storage.