Onion 'Rossa di Milano'

Allium cepa

• Sweet, full flavour with outstanding cooking quality.
• Large glowing red bulbs with classic high-top 'Grano' shape.
• Best-performing red storage onion in our 2020–2021 trials.
• Stores for up to six months with tight skins and single centres.
• Selected on our farm for beauty, flavour and storage.

An exquisitely coloured Italian heirloom, 'Rossa di Milano' combines the sweetness of a fresh onion with the keeping qualities of an outstanding storage variety. The large bulbs develop the classic high-top 'Grano' shape with broad, flattened shoulders, making them ideal for slicing while delivering excellent flavour both raw and cooked.

In our 2020–2021 onion storage trials, 'Rossa di Milano' was the best-performing red storage onion, holding beautifully for up to six months while maintaining outstanding eating quality. Tight skins, narrow necks and single centres all contribute to its exceptional storage performance.

This intermediate- to long-day onion performs best with 14–16 hours of daylight and grows successfully in southern regions to approximately 38° latitude.

Over several seasons we have continued selecting this strain for:

• Large, high-top Grano-shaped bulbs.
• Rich glowing red skins with blushed red interiors.
• Sweet flavour balanced by classic onion character.
• Tight skins, necks and single centres.
• Long storage under normal farm conditions.
• Strong performance under thrip pressure.

For gardeners and growers wanting a beautiful red slicing onion that stores exceptionally well, 'Rossa di Milano' is one of the finest varieties we've grown.

Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic

SEED COUNT: 200, 1000, 5000 approx.
Germination: Lot#14391 94% May 2026

PLEASE NOTE: We do not authorise the repackaging of our seed without written permission

Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information

DIRECT SOW - Plant seed 6-10mm deep, 3-5 seeds every 10cm in rows 40cm apart during July, August or early September in prepared, well-draining soil. Thin to 4-5cm apart or sow 3-4 seeds every 20 cm .

TRANSPLANT - Days to maturity are from direct seeding, subtract 1-2 weeks if transplanting. Start transplants 10-12 weeks before planting date. Sow thickly in flats or 3-4 seeds in 1.5” soil blocks or cells.  We have had good even bulb results transplanting 3onions per hole, every 20cm in rows 25cm apart (3 per 60cm bed top)

NOTES - Onions compete poorly with weeds. Cultivate regularly to control weed pressure.

HARVEST - For fresh eating, onions can be harvested whenever they reach desired size. Storage onions can be harvested when 80% of the tops dry up and flop over. Pull bulbs from ground and cure in an airy, shaded place for two weeks at 22-25°F and 80% relative humidity. 

STORAGE - Cool slowly, and store at steady temperatures. Rapid cooling followed by a sudden warm period might break dormancy and cause onions to sprout. Optimal storage is at near freezing temperatures at 65-70% relative humidity.