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A small white Barletta pearl onion freshly pulled showing its round white bulb and roots

How to Grow Barletta Onions From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Barletta is a quick little Italian pearl onion that forms small, round, snow-white bulbs perfect for pickling, roasting whole, or dropping into stews. Sown thickly and harvested young, it is one of the fastest and easiest onions to grow. Here is what makes this variety special and how to get the best from it.

This is the quick guide to Barletta. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting onions, see our complete guide to growing onions from seed.

Quick start

Direct-sow seeds thickly in early spring, or start indoors, and grow them close together at 1 to 2 inches apart in full sun. Keep the bed evenly moist and weed-free. Because the bulbs stay small, Barletta is ready in about 70 days, harvested young while the little white bulbs are firm and round.

Best tip

Grow Barletta close together on purpose: crowding keeps the pearls small and uniform, which is exactly what you want for pickling. Sow thickly, keep the soil evenly moist, and harvest young rather than waiting for large bulbs. A quick, forgiving onion, it suits gardeners in almost any region.

At a glance

Botanical nameAllium cepa

Plant typePearl / pickling onion

USDA zones3 to 9 (grown as an annual)

SunFull sun (6 or more hours)

Days to maturity70 days

Height10 to 14 inches

Spacing1 to 2 inches apart

WaterSteady and even; about 1 inch a week

Uses

Barletta pearls are made for pickling: their small, firm white bulbs are classic in jars, cocktails, and antipasti. Roast them whole until sweet, thread them onto skewers, or simmer them into stews and braises. Harvest young and use them fresh or preserved.

Frequently asked questions

How long do Barletta onions take to grow?

Barletta is fast, ready in about 70 days, because the bulbs are harvested small as pearl onions rather than grown to full size.

What are Barletta onions used for?

They are a classic pearl and pickling onion, ideal for pickles, roasting whole, cocktails, and adding to stews and braises.

How far apart should I plant Barletta onions?

Plant them close, about 1 to 2 inches apart. Crowding keeps the little white bulbs small and uniform, which is exactly what you want for pearls.

When do I harvest Barletta pearl onions?

Harvest them young, once the small round white bulbs are firm, rather than waiting for them to size up like a full onion.

Ready to grow your own? Our 8 Onion Variety Pack lets you grow Barletta alongside seven other onions from a single order. For the full step-by-step, see our complete onion growing guide linked at the top of this page.

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Want more onions? These value packs pair specialty onions like Barletta with other varieties:

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.