Allium cepa 'Red Wing', Red Wing Storage Onion
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Vegetables

Allium cepa 'Red Wing'

Red Wing Storage Onion

AmaryllidaceaeAsia

At a Glance

Typevegetable
Habitupright
Foliagedeciduous
Height18-24 inches
Width6-8 inches
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3a - 9b
Zone 3a
Zone 3b
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
Maintenancelow

Overview

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' is an exceptional storage onion cultivar renowned for its outstanding keeping quality and distinctive deep burgundy to reddish-purple papery skin. This robust biennial vegetable, typically cultivated as an annual crop, produces large, globe-shaped bulbs that measure 3-4 inches in diameter at maturity with a characteristic slightly flattened appearance. The striking outer scales display rich wine-red to deep purple tones that create a beautiful contrast against the crisp, white to cream-colored interior flesh, which features subtle purple-tinted outer layers and delivers a moderately sharp, pungent flavor that mellows and sweetens beautifully when cooked or roasted. The plant develops the characteristic hollow, cylindrical blue-green foliage typical of onions, emerging from the bulb base in an attractive fountain-like arrangement that typically reaches 18-24 inches in height during the growing season. Allium cepa 'Red Wing' stands out among storage onion varieties for its exceptional post-harvest longevity and superior keeping quality, maintaining excellent flavor, texture, and nutritional value for 6-8 months when properly cured and stored under optimal cool, dry conditions, making it an invaluable variety for home food security and long-term storage applications.

Native Range

Allium cepa originates from the mountainous regions of Central and Southwest Asia, particularly the highland areas encompassing modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and surrounding territories in the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountain ranges. This ancient crop species has been cultivated and selectively bred by human civilizations for over 5,000 years, spreading throughout the Mediterranean basin, Europe, and eventually worldwide through extensive trade networks, conquest, and human migration patterns.

Suggested Uses

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' excels in traditional vegetable gardens, raised bed systems, and large container plantings where adequate space allows for proper bulb development and maturation. This versatile storage onion is ideal for fresh culinary applications, cooking and roasting, and extended winter storage programs for home food security and preservation. The attractive upright blue-green foliage can provide valuable structural interest and vertical elements in ornamental vegetable gardens, potager designs, and edible landscape installations. Particularly valuable for home gardeners, small-scale growers, and homesteaders seeking reliable, long-storing onions for year-round kitchen use, food preservation projects, and sustainable living applications.

How to Identify

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' can be readily identified by its distinctive deep reddish-purple to burgundy papery outer skin that covers large, globe-shaped bulbs with a characteristic slightly flattened profile. The hollow, cylindrical blue-green leaves grow in an upright, fountain-like pattern directly from the bulb base, distinguishing it from flat-leaved allium relatives like garlic or shallots. When cross-sectioned, the mature bulb reveals crisp white to cream-colored flesh with distinctive purple-tinged outer layers that fade toward the center. The bulbs are typically larger and more uniformly globe-shaped than many yellow storage varieties, and the entire plant emits the unmistakable sharp, pungent onion aroma when leaves, roots, or bulbs are bruised, cut, or disturbed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
lavender

Foliage Colors

blue
green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Summer
summer of second year if overwintered for seed production

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pale lavender in small umbels

Foliage Description

blue-green, hollow tubular leaves

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
Soil Types
loam
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate, requiring consistent moisture during active growth and bulb development

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

105-120 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' requires full sun exposure and well-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter for optimal bulb development and storage quality. Plant transplants in early spring when soil temperatures consistently reach 50°F and the danger of hard frost has passed. Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season, particularly during active leaf growth and critical bulb swelling phases, but avoid waterlogged conditions that can promote rot and disease. Apply a balanced fertilizer when plants reach 6 inches tall, followed by a second application when bulbs begin to visibly swell at soil level. As bulbs develop and expand, gently hill loose soil around them to prevent greening and bitter flavor development from sun exposure. Reduce watering frequency as foliage naturally begins to yellow and fall over, signaling approaching maturity and harvest readiness.

Pruning

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' requires minimal pruning during the active growing season to maximize energy allocation toward bulb development and storage quality. Remove any flower stalks or scapes that emerge during the growing season to redirect the plant's energy from seed production into bulb enlargement and enhanced storage characteristics. Resist the temptation to cut back or harvest the blue-green foliage until it naturally yellows and begins to fall over on its own, as the leaves continue active photosynthesis and nutrient transport to feed the developing bulb throughout the season. After harvest, trim roots back to approximately 1/4 inch length and cut tops to about 1 inch above the bulb neck to facilitate proper curing airflow and optimize long-term storage potential.

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' is completely safe for human consumption when properly prepared, cooked, or eaten raw, though raw onions may cause mild digestive discomfort or heartburn in particularly sensitive individuals. However, all onion varieties are potentially toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and other companion animals and livestock, as they contain compounds that can cause hemolytic anemia, oxidative damage to red blood cells, and serious health complications. Keep harvested bulbs, plant debris, kitchen scraps, and any onion-containing foods away from pets and livestock to prevent accidental ingestion and potential poisoning.

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

10 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

not recommended for this storage variety

Days to Maturity

105–120 days

Plant Spacing

4 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

carrots
lettuce
tomatoes
peppers
brassicas
leeks

Avoid Planting With

beans
peas
asparagus
sage
Allium cepa 'Red Wing' (Red Wing Storage Onion) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef