HeirloomContainer OK

Purple de Lautrec Shallot

Allium cepa var. aggregatum 'Purple de Lautrec'

A prestigious French heirloom shallot with protected designation of origin status, prized by chefs worldwide for its complex, wine-like flavor. The elongated bulbs have beautiful purple-tinged skin and develop multiple cloves with incomparable taste. This is the shallot that elevates French cuisine to culinary art.

Harvest

90-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

5–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-18 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Purple de Lautrec Shallot in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 allium →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Purple de Lautrec Shallot · Zones 5–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with excellent organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, well-drained

SeasonCool season

FlavorComplex, refined flavor with wine-like notes and gentle pungency

ColorPurple-bronze skin with white flesh tinged pink

Size2-3 inches long, elongated

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

Cure harvested bulbs in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area (70-80°F) for 2-3 weeks until necks are completely dry and papery. Properly cured Purple de Lautrec shallots store 6-8 months in a cool (32-40°F), dry location with good air circulation—ideal humidity is 65-70%.

For preservation, these shallots excel when pickled whole in wine vinegar, maintaining their complex flavor profile. Slice and dehydrate at 125°F for 8-12 hours to create intensely flavored shallot flakes. Freezing works well for cooking use—peel and chop, then freeze in portions. The wine-like compounds in this variety actually intensify during proper storage, making 2-3 month old bulbs more flavorful than fresh ones.

History & Origin

Purple de Lautrec shallots originated in the medieval town of Lautrec in the Tarn region of southwestern France, where they've been cultivated since at least the 18th century. The variety gained its prestigious Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status in 2008, joining only a handful of vegetables with protected designation—the same legal protection given to Champagne and Roquefort cheese.

The shallots' distinctive purple-tinged skin and complex flavor profile developed through centuries of careful selection by French farmers working the region's specific clay-limestone soils. Lautrec's pink-walled medieval buildings provided the perfect drying environment, with many homes featuring traditional wooden racks called 'claies' for curing shallots.

This variety nearly disappeared during World War II but was rescued by local farmers who preserved seed stock. Today, authentic Purple de Lautrec shallots can only be legally grown in 88 designated communes around Lautrec, making garden-grown specimens outside this region technically distinct from the AOC product, though genetically identical.

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Rabbits

Considerations

-Toxic: Low severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Carrots

Shallots repel carrot fly while carrots help break up soil for shallot bulb development

Tomatoes

Shallots deter aphids, spider mites, and may reduce fungal diseases in tomatoes

Lettuce

Shallots repel aphids and slugs that commonly attack lettuce leaves

Cabbage

Shallots deter cabbage worms, aphids, and other brassica pests

Strawberries

Shallots repel slugs, snails, and aphids while improving strawberry flavor

Peppers

Shallots deter aphids and may reduce fungal diseases affecting pepper plants

Roses

Shallots repel aphids, Japanese beetles, and may reduce black spot disease

Parsley

Complementary root depths and shallots help repel pests that affect parsley

Keep Apart

Beans

Shallots can inhibit nitrogen fixation and stunt bean growth

Peas

Allelopathic compounds from shallots can reduce pea germination and growth

Asparagus

Shallots can stunt asparagus growth and compete for similar soil nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Calories

72kcal(4%)

Protein

2.5g(5%)

Fiber

3.2g(11%)

Carbs

16.8g(6%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

8mg(9%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

0.8mcg(1%)

Iron

1.2mg(7%)

Calcium

37mg(3%)

Potassium

334mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170499)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate resistance to common allium diseases

Common Pests

Onion thrips, onion fly larvae, slugs

Diseases

White rot, downy mildew, rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Purple de Lautrec shallot take to grow?▼

Purple de Lautrec shallots require 90-110 days from planting to harvest. Fall-planted bulbs (in mild climates) are typically ready in late spring to early summer, while spring-planted bulbs mature in mid to late summer. The exact timing depends on your climate zone and planting date.

Can you grow Purple de Lautrec shallots in containers?▼

Yes, these shallots grow excellently in containers at least 8 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Use well-draining potting mix amended with compost. Container growing actually provides better drainage control, which these shallots prefer. Space bulbs 4-6 inches apart in containers and ensure consistent but not excessive watering.

What does Purple de Lautrec shallot taste like?▼

Purple de Lautrec shallots have a complex, refined flavor with distinctive wine-like notes and gentle pungency—less sharp than regular onions but more sophisticated than common shallots. The flavor intensifies and sweetens during storage, developing almost fruity undertones that make them prized by French chefs for vinaigrettes and delicate sauces.

When should I plant Purple de Lautrec shallot bulbs?▼

Plant timing depends on your climate zone. In zones 7-9, plant bulbs in October-November for spring harvest. In zones 4-6, plant in early spring (March-April) after soil can be worked. Fall planting in mild climates produces larger bulbs, while spring planting is safer in cold areas prone to hard freezes.

Are Purple de Lautrec shallots good for beginners?▼

These shallots are moderately challenging for beginners due to specific planting timing requirements and need for excellent drainage. However, they're more forgiving than onions grown from seed and multiply reliably when basic requirements are met. Start with high-quality bulb sets and focus on proper soil preparation for best results.

Purple de Lautrec vs regular shallots - what's the difference?▼

Purple de Lautrec shallots have superior flavor complexity with wine-like notes, longer storage life (6-8 months vs 3-4 months), and distinctive purple-tinged skin. They're also more bolt-resistant and multiply more reliably than common shallot varieties, though they require more specific growing conditions and cost significantly more for initial bulb sets.