Walla Walla White

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Silken-sweet and luminous, Walla Walla White onions open with a gentle, honeyed aroma and a crisp, juicy bite that feels almost orchard-fresh.

The bulbs mature in about 90 days with a clean, pale-white skin and a rounded, slightly flattened silhouette, delivering tender layers that stay pleasantly mild. Grow Walla Walla White for standout fresh use—ideal for salads, sandwiches, and bright salsas—where its delicate sweetness can shine.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Botanical illustration of Walla Walla White

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Walla Walla White is bred for sweet, low-pungency eating—its juicy layers stay crisp and bright instead of turning sharp. It’s the onion you put on cold food or barely warm it, so the honeyed aroma and orchard-fresh crunch actually get to lead.

Best Uses

raw slicing on sandwiches where it stays crisp (no aggressive bite)
thin-cut salads that can hold a citrus vinaigrette without turning sulfurous
fresh salsas and pico where it adds juiciness and sweet lift
quick-melt sauté just to soften—let it stay pale and glossy, not deeply browned

Flavor Profile

mild, silken sweetness crisp, juicy snap with tender layers gentle honeyed aroma clean, low-pungency finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime smoked salt fresh cilantro goat cheese balsamic vinegar grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Walla Walla White onions showing yellowing leaves and soft bulbs, and what can I do?

Soft, collapsing necks with yellowing leaves are often onion rot caused by excess moisture and poor airflow around the bulb neck. Pull and discard any plants with soft tissue, then avoid watering overhead and water only at the soil line. Improve spacing and keep the bed weed-free so air moves between plants; for prevention, stop watering or reduce sharply as bulbs mature to keep the neck drier.

How often should I water Allium cepa during active bulb growth?

During the main bulb-forming phase (roughly after the plants are established), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rain and heat. Water deeply, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again to avoid bulb rots. Once the bulbs start to bulk and necks begin to tighten, taper watering so the neck stays drier for harvest curing.

When are Walla Walla White onions ready to harvest, and what signs should I look for?

Harvest when about 70–90% of the tops have fallen over and the necks are papery and tight, which for Allium cepa is typically near 90 days. Lift the bulbs gently to avoid bruising, especially because long-keeping quality depends on undamaged skins. Cure them in a dry, airy spot out of direct sun for 1–2 weeks until the outer skins are crisp and the necks are fully dried.