VegetableOnion
Southport Red Globe Onion
Storage Onion
Southport Red Globe Onion is a bold, glossy red variety that has earned its reputation as one of the best-storing onions in the garden. These large, firm bulbs develop over 110 to 119 days into perfectly round globes with deep purple-red skin, reaching 14 to 24 inches at maturity. An heirloom, open-pollinated cultivar that thrives in zones 2 through 9, this cold-tolerant bulbing onion produces exceptional yields whether you're growing in raised beds, containers, or traditional garden plots. The flavor strikes a pleasant balance, not too sharp, making these onions equally at home in fresh salads or long-cooked braises.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam, Moderately Rich
Preferred Temp55-75°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
—
Width
3 in
Spacing
110–119
Days to Harvest
PeriodBiennial
TypeBulb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-9
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Biennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The real story of Southport Red Globe is its remarkable storage life. These bulbs are exceptionally firm and keep far longer than most onions, a trait that made them invaluable to home gardeners and farmers alike. The high-yielding plants produce uniform, globe-shaped bulbs with that distinctive glossy purple-red finish, and the mild, non-spicy flavor appeals to cooks who want red onion sweetness without bite. That cold tolerance and adaptability across ten hardiness zones means gardeners from Minnesota to the Carolinas can count on consistent success.
Common Uses
Southport Red Globe onions shine in both raw and cooked applications. Slice them thin for salads where their mild flavor and attractive color add visual appeal without overwhelming delicate greens. In the kitchen, they caramelize beautifully into rich, jammy sweetness for gratins, French onion soup, or slow-cooked braises. Their firm structure and good storage mean you can also preserve them through the winter, pulling bulbs from storage months after harvest for winter meals.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds in seed trays or pots with moist seed-starting mix, covering lightly since they need light to germinate. Keep soil temperature between 50 and 70°F for best germination. Seedlings emerge in 7 to 10 days and benefit from consistent moisture and bright light as they develop into transplant-ready size.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant into the garden 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date, when seedlings are 4 to 6 inches tall with visible true leaves. Space plants 3 inches apart in rows 15 inches wide. Bury seedlings slightly deeper than they grew in containers to encourage strong root development.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds in early spring as soon as soil is workable, about 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in loose, weed-free soil. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination.
Harvesting
Harvest Southport Red Globe onions after 110 to 119 days when the tops begin to yellow and fall over naturally, typically in late summer. Once the foliage has collapsed, let the bulbs cure in the ground for another 7 to 10 days in dry weather, then carefully lift with a fork to avoid bruising the skin. Lay bulbs in a warm, well-ventilated location, ideally in single layers, where they can cure for 2 to 3 weeks until the papery outer layers dry completely and the necks tighten. These onions store exceptionally well when fully cured.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Allium L.
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Genus
Allium
Duration
Biennial
Native Status
L48 (I)