GardenHow to grow onion
प्याज. When to sow it in each part of India, how deep, how far apart, what size of pot, and what to watch for.
When to sow
North and central plainsOctober and November
South and coastal IndiaMarch to June, September and October
HillsSeptember and October
Green months are the usual sowing or planting time. Dates shift by a few weeks from place to place.
How to sow and grow
- Method
- Raise seedlings for 6 to 8 weeks and transplant them when they are as thick as a pencil lead. For greens, plant small onions directly.
- Depth
- 0.5 to 1 cm
- Spacing
- 10 cm apart
- In a pot
- A wide box 20 to 25 cm deep
- Sprouts in
- 7 to 12 days
- Harvest
- 4 to 5 months after transplanting for bulbs; 6 to 8 weeks for green onions
- Sun
- Full sun: at least 6 hours a day
Tips from the garden
- For a quick result, push small onions from the kitchen into a pot, tips just showing. Green onions are ready to cut in six to eight weeks.
- For bulbs, stop watering when the tops fall over and turn yellow. Lift the bulbs a week or two later.
- Dry the bulbs in shade for several days before storing.
What can go wrong
Thick-necked onions that never form a bulb were usually sown at the wrong time. Day length decides bulbing, so keep to the local season.
Sown around the same time
New to growing from seed? Read how to sow seeds and the balcony and terrace garden guide.
Questions people ask
When is onion sown in north India?
In the plains of north and central India, the usual sowing or planting months for onion are October and November.
How long does onion take to grow?
Usually 4 to 5 months after transplanting for bulbs; 6 to 8 weeks for green onions.
Can onion be grown in a pot?
Yes. A wide box 20 to 25 cm deep.