VegetableOnion
Red Creole Onion
Short Day Onion
Born in California's Desert Seed Company in 1962, the Red Creole Onion quickly became the go-to choice for southern gardeners seeking a reliable storage onion with character. This flattened globe onion matures in 110-119 days across zones 2-9, reaching 14-24 inches tall with vibrant red skin that signals its bold, spicy personality. Unlike sweeter red varieties, Red Creole brings heat to the kitchen while offering exceptional keeping qualities when properly stored.
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
Red Creole stands out as the premier short-day onion for southern and tropical climates, combining quick production with remarkable storage ability that few red onions can match. Its spicy, less sweet flavor profile makes it exceptional for cooking applications where you want onion character that won't disappear under heat. The variety's natural resistance to pink root rot gives it staying power in challenging growing conditions, while its flattened globe shape and medium size make it perfect for both fresh use and long-term storage.
Common Uses
Red Creole excels in cooked applications where its spicy character can shine through, making it ideal for sautéing, caramelizing, and adding depth to soups, stews, and braised dishes. Its robust flavor holds up beautifully to long cooking methods, while its excellent storage qualities make it valuable for preserving the harvest through months of kitchen use.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Mid-summer
Care Instructions
Harvesting
Harvest Red Creole onions after 110-119 days when the tops begin to yellow and fall over naturally. The bulbs should feel firm with tight, papery outer skins that have developed their characteristic red coloration. Pull when the necks have dried down but before heavy rains can cause storage issues.
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)
History & Origin
“The Red Creole Onion emerged from the Desert Seed Company in California in 1962, developed specifically to meet the needs of southern growers who struggled with onion varieties suited to their climate. This cultivar was bred to thrive in the tropical and subtropical conditions where many onion varieties fail, quickly establishing itself as the standard for short-day red onion production across the American South and similar latitudes worldwide.”