Whole plant
Overall shape, height, branching and growth habit.
Alliums
Onion growing guide
A kitchen staple grown from seeds or sets (small bulbs). Long-day varieties suit temperate climates; short-day varieties suit tropical and subtropical zones.
Photo reference
Use this real-world photo as the main plant reference, then compare it with the botanical drawings below for leaf, flower and harvest details.
7-14 daysGermination
100-175 daysHarvest
10 cmSpacing
1 cmSow depth
FullSun
HardyFrost
2 cm/weekWater
6-7pH
Planting calendar by climate
Use these windows as a public guide. Plotera can personalise tasks around your saved garden, location and planting dates.
| Climate | Sow | Transplant / Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical | Apr - Jul | Apr - Jul | Jul - Oct |
| Subtropical | Mar - Jul | Mar - Jul | Jun - Oct |
| Mediterranean | Feb - Jun | Feb - Jun | May - Sep |
| Temperate | Feb - Jun | Feb - Jun | May - Sep |
| Cool | Feb - May | Feb - May | May - Aug |
| Arid | Mar - Jun | Mar - Jun | Jun - Sep |
Botanical reference
Compare the whole plant first, then check the leaf, flower and harvest detail to identify what Onion should look like as it grows.
Leaf detail
Leaf shape, edges, colour and vein pattern.
Flower detail
Flower colour, structure and where blooms appear.
Harvest / detail
Fruit, root, seed, pod or the strongest identifying feature.
Cooking and eating ideas
A quick garden-to-table guide for using Onion after harvest.
Raw / fresh
Slice thinly into salads, salsas, sandwiches, pickles, or fresh garnishes when the flavour suits.
Cooked
Saute as a base for soups, sauces, curries and stews, roast whole, caramelise, grill, or bake.
Store / preserve
Cure storage onions, pickle slices, dehydrate flakes, or freeze cooked onion bases.
Try: Caramelised onions, Pickled onions, Sofrito base, Roasted shallots.
Good companions
Carrot, Lettuce, Tomato, Chamomile, Annual, Beet
Avoid near
Beans, Peas, Sage
Growing note
Stop watering when tops start to fall over — this initiates bulb curing.
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