Allium cepa, Texas Super Sweet Onion
Bulbs

Allium cepa

Texas Super Sweet Onion

UnknownAsia

At a Glance

Typeannual
Habitupright
Foliagedeciduous
Height18-24 inches
Width4-6 inches
Maturity0.33 years

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Container Friendly
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' is a large, sweet onion cultivar renowned for its exceptional mildness and crisp texture. This variety produces large, globe-shaped bulbs that can reach 4-5 inches in diameter, with golden-tan papery outer skin and white, juicy flesh beneath. The foliage consists of hollow, blue-green tubular leaves that emerge from the bulb base and can reach 18-24 inches in height. What distinguishes Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' from other onion varieties is its remarkably low sulfur content, which gives it an exceptionally mild, sweet flavor that can be eaten raw without the typical sharp bite associated with most onions. The bulbs have a flattened globe shape with a relatively short storage life compared to pungent storage onions, making them best suited for fresh consumption within a few weeks of harvest.

Native Range

Allium cepa is believed to be native to southwestern Asia, particularly the regions of modern-day Iran and Pakistan, though the exact origin is uncertain due to thousands of years of cultivation and selection.

Suggested Uses

Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' works well in kitchen gardens, raised beds, and container growing. Excellent for fresh eating in salads, sandwiches, and cooking applications where a mild onion flavor is desired. Popular for farmers markets and home gardens where sweet onions are prized.

How to Identify

Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' can be identified by its large, flattened globe-shaped bulbs with golden-tan papery skin and exceptionally mild, sweet white flesh. The hollow, tubular blue-green leaves are thicker and more robust than many other onion varieties. When mature, the bulbs are notably larger than most onion cultivars, often reaching 4-5 inches in diameter. The neck area tends to be thick and the bulbs have a characteristic flattened appearance rather than being perfectly round.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread4" - 6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 0.33 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

blue
green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

summer (if allowed to bolt)

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white

Foliage Description

blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Time to Maturity

4-5 months

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season, with deep watering once or twice weekly rather than frequent shallow watering. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting and side-dress with nitrogen when bulbs begin to swell. Keep the area weed-free as onions compete poorly with weeds due to their shallow root system. As bulbs mature, gradually reduce watering to prevent rot and allow proper curing.

Pruning

Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' does not require pruning in the traditional sense. Remove any flower stalks (scapes) that appear to direct energy into bulb development rather than seed production. Do not cut back foliage until it naturally yellows and begins to fall over, as the leaves continue to photosynthesize and feed the developing bulb.

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' is toxic to dogs and cats, containing compounds that can cause hemolytic anemia. All parts of the plant are toxic to pets. Generally safe for human consumption when properly prepared.

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

both

Indoor Start

10 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

early spring, 4-6 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

110–130 days

Plant Spacing

4 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

carrots
brassicas
tomatoes
peppers
lettuce

Avoid Planting With

beans
peas
asparagus