What are the sun requirements for Allium cepa 'Red Creole'?

Allium cepa 'Red Creole' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Allium cepa 'Red Creole' need?

Allium cepa 'Red Creole' has Medium water needs.

Vegetables

Allium cepa 'Red Creole'

Red Creole Onion

Amaryllidaceae

Open-pollinated cultivar developed in Louisiana for hot humid climates; the species A. cepa is native to Central Asia

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Width6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Deer Resistant Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Allium cepa 'Red Creole' is Red Creole onion (Louisiana Red Creole), a biennial grown as an annual for bulb production, 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) wide. Flattened globe-shaped bulbs 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) diameter with mahogany-red to deep purple papery skins and white flesh with purple-tinged rings. A short-day red onion: bulbs at 10-12 hours of daylight (latitudes below 35°N). Open-pollinated heirloom developed in Louisiana — seed can be saved. Heat-tolerant: thrives in hot humid southern climates where other onion types fail to bulb. Pungent and sharp — not a sweet onion. The pungent sulfur compounds extend storage to 3-6 months — longer than most short-day types (Granex/Vidalia at 1-2 months). Blue-green hollow tubular foliage. In the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost, or fall-plant in zones 7-10. Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen (110-120 days from transplant). Cure 2-3 weeks. All Allium contain thiosulfates: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Deer-resistant. Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar developed in Louisiana for hot humid climates. The species A. cepa is native to Central Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L). Short-day red onion for southern climates (below 35 degrees N). Heat-tolerant. Pungent — cooking onion. Open-pollinated — save seeds. Stores 3-6 months. Toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by flattened globe-shaped bulbs with mahogany-red to deep purple papery skins and pungent white flesh with purple-tinged rings on a plant with blue-green hollow tubular foliage. The short-day requirement (10-12 hours), the heat tolerance, and the pungent red skin distinguish Red Creole. Open-pollinated. In Amaryllidaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Biennial: flowers in the second year if overwintered — white spherical umbels. Grown as an annual for bulb production. Cut flower scapes at the base if they appear.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White spherical umbels — only if allowed to bolt; undesirable

Foliage Description

Blue-green, hollow tubular; yellows at maturity

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 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

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

110-120 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Short-day onion — 10-12 hours daylight (latitudes below 35 degrees N). Fall-plant in zones 7-10, or spring-plant. Heat-tolerant. Consistent moisture during bulb swelling. Stores 3-6 months. Open-pollinated — save seeds. All Allium toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

Pruning

Cut flower scapes at the base if they appear. Do not cut green foliage during growth. Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen. Trim tops to 1 inch (2.5 cm), roots to 0.25 inch (6 mm). Cure 2-3 weeks.