Italian Red Torpedo Onion
Allium cepa 'Italian Red Torpedo'
An elegant elongated onion with stunning deep red skin and crisp white flesh streaked with purple rings. This intermediate-day variety offers a perfect balance of sweet and sharp flavors that mellows beautifully when cooked. The distinctive torpedo shape and vibrant color make it a standout in both the garden and on the plate.
Harvest
95-110d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
5–10
USDA hardiness
Height
12-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Italian Red Torpedo Onion in USDA Zone 7
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Italian Red Torpedo Onion · Zones 5–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Flowers wither and convert to bulblets
Type: Capsule.
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Storage & Preservation
After harvest, cure your Italian Red Torpedo onions in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks until the necks are completely dry and papery. Lay them on screens or hang in braids, turning occasionally for even curing.
Properly cured onions store 4-6 months in a cool (32-40°F), dry location with good air circulation. Check stored onions monthly and remove any showing soft spots. Use thick-necked bulbs first as they don't store as long.
For preservation, these onions excel when pickled due to their attractive red color and firm texture. Slice and freeze in portions for cooked dishes – they'll lose crispness but retain flavor. Dehydrate sliced rings at 125°F for 8-12 hours to make flavorful onion powder. The beautiful red color also makes them perfect for quick-pickled red onions that keep refrigerated for up to a month.
History & Origin
The Italian Red Torpedo onion traces its origins to the Mediterranean region, where elongated red onion varieties have been cultivated for centuries. This particular heirloom variety likely developed in northern Italy's fertile Po Valley region during the 18th or early 19th century, where the distinctive torpedo shape was prized both for its elegant appearance and efficient use of garden space.
Italian market gardeners selectively bred these onions for their unique elongated form, which made them easier to slice uniformly and created more surface area for the characteristic red skin that indicates high antioxidant content. The variety was traditionally grown in small family plots and local market gardens, passed down through generations of Italian farmers who valued its perfect balance of storage capability and culinary versatility.
Immigrant Italian families brought seeds to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, where it became particularly popular in areas with strong Italian-American communities. Today, it represents a direct link to traditional Mediterranean growing practices and remains unchanged from its historical form.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Rabbits
Considerations
- -Toxic: Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Carrots
Onions repel carrot flies while carrots help break up soil for onion bulb development
Tomatoes
Onions deter aphids, spider mites, and tomato hornworms from tomato plants
Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli)
Onions repel cabbage worms, flea beetles, and other brassica pests
Lettuce
Onions provide pest protection without competing for nutrients, lettuce fits between onion rows
Peppers
Onions repel aphids and may improve pepper growth and flavor
Strawberries
Onions deter slugs, aphids, and other strawberry pests
Spinach
Compatible growth habits and onions provide pest protection for leafy greens
Marigolds
Both repel nematodes and various garden pests, creating enhanced protection
Keep Apart
Beans
Onions can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation by rhizobia bacteria
Peas
Onions stunt pea growth and interfere with their nitrogen-fixing capabilities
Sage
Can inhibit onion growth through allelopathic compounds
Asparagus
Onions can stunt asparagus growth and reduce spear production
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170000)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to common onion diseases
Common Pests
Onion thrips, onion fly, wireworms
Diseases
Neck rot, downy mildew, bacterial soft rot