Allium cepa 'Red Baron', Red Baron Scallion
Vegetables

Allium cepa 'Red Baron'

Red Baron Scallion

AmaryllidaceaeAsia

At a Glance

Typevegetable
Habitupright
Foliagedeciduous
Height12-18 inches
Width3-6 inches

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4a - 9b
Zone 4a
Zone 4b
Zone 5a
Zone 5b
Zone 6a
Zone 6b
Zone 7a
Zone 7b
Zone 8a
Zone 8b
Zone 9a
Zone 9b
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Container Friendly
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Allium cepa 'Red Baron' is a distinctive scallion cultivar prized for its striking burgundy-purple foliage and exceptional culinary qualities. This compact onion variety produces slender, upright shoots with hollow, cylindrical leaves that display a beautiful color gradient from green tips to deep reddish-purple bases. The characteristic coloration is most pronounced in the lower leaf sheaths and developing bulb areas, creating an ornamental effect that sets it apart from standard green scallions. The plants form small, elongated bulbs at the base with papery outer scales that echo the purple-red tones of the foliage. Throughout the growing season, Allium cepa 'Red Baron' maintains its vibrant coloration while producing tender, flavorful shoots suitable for continuous harvest. The variety combines the mild, onion-like flavor expected from scallions with visual appeal that makes it equally at home in ornamental vegetable gardens and traditional kitchen gardens.

Native Range

Allium cepa originates from the mountainous regions of Central Asia, particularly areas encompassing modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and adjacent territories. The exact native range has become obscured through millennia of human cultivation and selective breeding, but archaeological and genetic evidence points to the highland areas between the Iranian Plateau and Hindu Kush mountains as the primary center of origin.

Suggested Uses

fresh eating, garnish, salads, stir-fries, ornamental vegetable gardens, container growing, succession planting

How to Identify

Allium cepa 'Red Baron' is easily identified by its distinctive burgundy to deep purple-red coloration concentrated in the lower leaf sheaths and bulb areas, contrasting with bright green leaf tips. The hollow, cylindrical leaves are characteristic of all scallions, but the consistent reddish-purple pigmentation throughout the growing season distinguishes this cultivar from standard varieties. When harvested, the small bulbs and root areas display the same intense purple-red coloration as the leaf bases. The plants maintain a compact, upright growth habit with leaves reaching 12-18 inches in height, and the colorful foliage remains vibrant even under varying growing conditions.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread3" - 6"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
burgundy
purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Summer
summer if allowed to bolt

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white

Foliage Description

green tips transitioning to burgundy-purple at base

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• 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
Soil Types
loam
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

60-120 days

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Allium cepa 'Red Baron' thrives with consistent moisture throughout the growing season, requiring soil that remains evenly moist but well-draining to prevent root rot. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time and provide supplemental nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during active growth to promote vigorous shoot development and maintain the characteristic purple-red coloration. The distinctive coloring intensifies with adequate sunlight exposure, so ensure plants receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Maintain loose, fertile soil around the plants and keep the area weed-free, as scallions compete poorly with weeds for nutrients and water. Regular shallow cultivation helps maintain soil structure while avoiding damage to the shallow root system.

Pruning

Allium cepa 'Red Baron' benefits from regular harvesting to maintain continuous production of tender shoots. Cut outer leaves at ground level for individual harvests, allowing inner shoots to continue developing for future harvests. For traditional scallion harvest, cut leaves approximately 1 inch above soil surface to encourage regrowth from the base. Remove any flower stalks that begin to develop to prevent the plants from becoming tough and bitter, maintaining focus on leaf production. Implement successive plantings every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season to ensure a continuous supply of fresh scallions from spring through fall.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
springsummerfall

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Allium cepa 'Red Baron' is completely safe for human consumption and is cultivated specifically as a culinary vegetable. However, like all members of the Allium family, it can be toxic to dogs, cats, and other pets when consumed in significant quantities. The compounds that give onions their characteristic flavor can cause anemia, digestive upset, and other health issues in animals, so keep harvested scallions away from pets and monitor garden access.

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Indoor Start

8 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

early spring, 2-4 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

60–120 days

Plant Spacing

2 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

carrots
tomatoes
lettuce
brassicas
peppers

Avoid Planting With

beans
peas
sage