Onion Brown Odourless Vegetable Seeds

ONION ‘Brown Odourless’ Vegetable Seeds

Botanical Name: Allium cepa

• Large, globe-shaped brown onions with a mild, sweet flavour.
• Low-odour variety—perfect for salads, cooking, and sandwiches.
• Stores well when cured; excellent for home or market growing.
• Performs best with autumn sowing and spring/summer harvest in NZ.

Product Description

Brown Odourless is an intermediate-day variety producing large, globe-shaped brown onions with smooth skin and a mild, sweet taste. As the name suggests, it has a lower pungency and less residual odour than most other varieties—making it ideal for raw use in salads and sandwiches.

This variety grows well throughout New Zealand when sown in autumn and harvested in spring to early summer. When properly cured, the onions store well in a cool, dry place for several months. Suitable for direct sowing or starting in trays, Brown Odourless onions are a great choice for gardeners seeking a reliable, sweet cooking onion with gentle flavour.

Plant Details:

• Plant Type: Biennial (grown as annual)
• Plant Height: Up to 40 cm

Sowing Information:

• Germination: 7–14 days
• Depth: Sow 0.5–1 cm deep
• Position: Full sun
• Sow Where: Direct sow or transplant seedlings
• Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile soil with compost; pH 6.0–7.0
• Spacing: 10–15 cm between plants; 30 cm between rows

Growing Tips:

• Thin seedlings early to allow room for bulb formation.
• Keep soil moist but not soggy—especially during bulb swelling stage.
• Use mulch to suppress weeds and maintain even moisture.
• As bulbs mature, reduce watering to help skins dry for curing.

Harvest:

110–140 days. Harvest when tops yellow and fall. Cure in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated area for 2–3 weeks before storage.

When to Sow ‘Brown Odourless’ Onion in New Zealand