A long-keeping main-crop onion with firm, brown-skinned bulbs and full, pungent flavour. Day-length sensitive, so sow at the right season for your latitude.
At a glance
- Plant type: Edible plant
- Mature size: 40 cm tall
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Onion 'Brown'
Botanically, Allium cepa 'Brown' is a slow-growing edible plant in the Amaryllidaceae family. It reaches around 40 cm tall at maturity.
Where to grow Onion 'Brown'
Onion 'Brown' suits cool-temperate and warm-temperate climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters.
Soil & planting
Onion 'Brown' does best in free-draining and loamy soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Onion 'Brown' does best with regular, moderate watering. Feed regularly through the growing season for the best crop. During the first growing season, water deeply whenever the upper soil begins to dry, then reduce the frequency as roots establish.
Pruning & care
Tip-prune Onion 'Brown' in spring to maintain a dense, shapely habit. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Onion 'Brown' in the garden
Onion 'Brown' earns its place for edible harvests.
Companion planting & design
Combine Onion 'Brown' with plants that share its preference for regular, moderate watering and cool-temperate climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed.
Good to know
Note that it is toxic to cats and dogs, so site it away from pets that chew.
Buying Onion 'Brown'
Plant Sale lists Onion 'Brown' as seed and seedlings. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Onion 'Brown' seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
