Apache Red Bunching Onion Seeds | Allium fistulosum | Deep Purple Scallion | Cold-Hardy | Zones 3–9 | 65 Days

Apache Red Bunching Onion Seeds – Allium fistulosum | Deep Purple Scallion | Cold-Hardy

Apache (Allium fistulosum) is a standout red/purple bunching onion that develops its vivid, deep purple-red color from an early stage — making it as ornamental as it is delicious. Vigorous, clean-rooted, and easy to grow, Apache is a popular choice for market growers and home gardeners who want a striking, colorful scallion. If left to mature, it develops into an elongated pearl-shaped bulb that’s easy to peel and retains its beautiful purple hue when cooked. Hardy and cold-resistant across Zones 3–9; thrives in both garden beds and containers.

Variety Details

• Botanical Name: Allium fistulosum
• Type: Non-bulbing bunching onion (scallion type) — develops pearl bulb at maturity
• Color: Deep red/purple from early stage; retains color when cooked
• Plant height: 16–24 inches
• Days to maturity: ~65 days (full bulb); scallion harvest from ~30–40 days
• Germination: 8–12 days
• USDA Zones: 3–9 — cold-hardy, frost tolerant
• Season: Spring, late summer, or fall planting

Culinary Uses

• Raw scallion: Thinly sliced into salads, grain bowls, and fresh salsas — the purple color adds striking visual contrast
• Garnish for tacos, soups, ramen, and noodle dishes — Apache’s color holds even when added at the end of cooking
• Stir-fried with garlic and ginger as an aromatic base for Asian-style dishes
• Grilled whole — the slender stalks char beautifully; serve with romesco or miso butter
• Pickled: Quick-pickled in rice vinegar with a pinch of sugar — turns bright magenta; excellent on banh mi, tacos, and burgers
• Added to Japanese nabemono (hot pot) and Korean pajeon (scallion pancake)
• Roasted alongside meats or root vegetables — pearl-stage bulbs caramelize with a mild, sweet onion flavor
• Compound butter — finely minced and blended with butter, lemon zest, and sea salt for finishing steaks and grilled fish

Planting Guide

• Sowing: Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 1 inch apart, in rows 12–24 inches apart. Thin to 5–6 inches apart for full scallion development.
• Sun: Full sun preferred.
• Watering: Consistent moisture for best growth and color development.
• Containers: Excellent in deep containers — plant densely for a continuous cut-and-come-again harvest of scallion tops.
• Cold hardiness: Tolerates frost well; can overwinter in Zones 6–9 for an early spring harvest.

Harvesting

• Harvest as young green scallions from approximately 30–40 days for mild, crisp onion greens.
• Allow to mature to 65 days for elongated, pearl-shaped bulbs with deep purple-red color throughout.
• Pull entire plants or cut tops and allow regrowth from the base for multiple harvests.