Purplette
Allium cepa
These flavorful specialty onions mature early and hold well. Purplette is a glossy rich burgundy, transforming to a nice pastel pink when cooked or pickled. Can be harvested at golf ball size or very young as baby bunching onions with purple pearl ends. Best at 40° latitude and higher.
Harvest
60d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
5–10
USDA hardiness
Height
12-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Purplette in USDA Zone 7
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Purplette · Zones 5–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | March – 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
Fresh Purplette onions store best unwashed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area at 32-40°F with 65-70% humidity. Properly cured bulbs keep 2-4 months in ideal conditions, though their thin skin makes them less suitable for long-term storage than traditional onions.
For peak flavor, use within 6-8 weeks of harvest. Store in mesh bags or on slatted trays, never in plastic. Keep away from potatoes, which release gases that cause onions to sprout.
Pickling is Purplette's crown jewel—their size and mild flavor make perfect cocktail garnishes. Quick-pickle whole bulbs in vinegar brine, or ferment them for complex flavor development. They also freeze well when diced after blanching for 2-3 minutes, maintaining texture better than most onion varieties. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for concentrated flavor chips.
History & Origin
Purplette represents modern breeding innovation focused on the growing cocktail culture and artisanal food movement of the early 2000s. This hybrid variety was specifically developed to meet demand for perfectly-sized purple pearl onions that could be grown reliably in home gardens.
While traditional purple onions like Red Baron dominated large-scale production, home gardeners struggled to achieve the small, uniform size needed for pickling and garnishing. Plant breeders responded by crossing short-day purple varieties with pearl onion genetics, creating this unique hybrid that maintains the stunning purple color while maturing quickly at a consistent small size.
The variety gained popularity through specialty seed catalogs and farmer's markets, where its Instagram-worthy appearance and cocktail applications resonated with food enthusiasts. Purplette reflects the modern trend toward specialty crops designed for specific culinary applications rather than just storage and basic cooking needs.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Rabbits
Considerations
- -Toxic: Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Roses
Alliums repel aphids, thrips, and other pests that commonly attack roses
Tomatoes
Alliums deter hornworms and aphids while potentially improving tomato flavor
Carrots
Alliums repel carrot flies and root maggots that damage carrot crops
Cabbage
Strong allium scent deters cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles
Lettuce
Alliums provide pest protection without competing for nutrients in shallow soil
Peppers
Allium compounds repel aphids and may reduce fungal diseases around peppers
Strawberries
Alliums deter slugs, aphids, and nematodes that commonly damage strawberry plants
Marigolds
Both plants repel similar pests, creating a strong protective barrier in garden beds
Keep Apart
Beans
Alliums can inhibit nitrogen fixation by beneficial bacteria in bean root nodules
Peas
Allium compounds may interfere with the symbiotic relationship between peas and nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Asparagus
Alliums can stunt asparagus growth and reduce spear production through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170000)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease resistance
Common Pests
Onion thrips, aphids, cutworms
Diseases
Purple blotch, downy mildew, neck rot