VegetableOnion
Red Cipollini Onion
Cipollini
Red Cipollini Onion is a stunning heirloom variety that delivers both visual drama and culinary versatility. These flattened, bright red bulbs reach just 3 to 4 inches across and about 1 to 1.5 inches deep, compact enough to feel manageable yet substantial enough to make an impact in the kitchen. Ready to harvest in 90 days, this open-pollinated, long-day onion thrives across zones 2 through 9 and adapts equally well to garden beds, raised beds, or even greenhouse growing. Whether you're braising them whole, slicing them fresh, or boiling them for a side dish, Red Cipollini offers the flexibility that makes it a favorite among both home gardeners and Italian cooks.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/red-cipollini-onion)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam, Moderately Rich
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
PeriodBiennial
TypeBulb
Spacing
4-6 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-9
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Biennial
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Red Cipollini apart is its distinctive flattened shape and deep crimson color, it's as beautiful as it is practical. The compact size makes these onions perfect for whole cooking preparations, where they soften into tender sweetness rather than breaking apart. As an open-pollinated heirloom, you can save seeds year after year, connecting you to a gardening tradition that stretches back generations. This variety stores remarkably well, and in Italy it's traditionally braided for long-term storage, turning your harvest into both a pantry staple and a rustic kitchen decoration.
Common Uses
Red Cipollini shines in whole cooking applications where its manageable size becomes an asset. Braising brings out a mellow sweetness as the bulbs soften completely, making them a sophisticated side dish alongside roasted meats or risotto. They're equally at home boiled and served as a vegetable course, or sliced thin and eaten fresh in salads where their crisp texture and mild onion bite come through. The compact size also makes them ideal for pickling or roasting whole until caramelized.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Not Applicable
First Harvest
Late Summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost in seed trays or cell packs. Keep soil consistently moist and maintain temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Seedlings can be transplanted outdoors once they reach 3 to 4 inches tall and soil conditions have warmed.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Transplant into the garden once soil is workable and night temperatures stay consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Space transplants 3 inches apart in rows 15 inches apart to give each bulb room to develop.
Direct Sow
Direct sowing is less common for Red Cipollini due to the longer growing season, but you can sow seeds directly into prepared garden soil in spring once soil is workable. Sow seeds approximately 1/4 inch deep and keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination occurs.
Harvesting
Harvest Red Cipollini when the bulbs reach 3 to 4 inches across and the tops begin to yellow and fall over naturally, typically 90 to 99 days from planting. This variety stores exceptionally well, once the foliage has dried and papery outer layers have formed, pull the bulbs and cure them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location for two to three weeks. Once fully cured, the bulbs can be braided by the dried stems for attractive long-term storage, or placed in mesh bags in a cool, dark place where they'll keep for several months.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Allium L.
Family
Liliaceae
Genus
Allium