The Egyptian Walking Onion

Understanding Topsets

The variety of size, shape, and color in Egyptain Walking Onion topsets.

Our Egyptian Walking Onion topsets are sold in batches of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500. We do not sell topsets by the pound.

What Is a Topset?

An Egyptian Walking Onion "topset" is one of the little "bulblets" that grows in a cluster at the top of the plant. It is essentially a baby Egyptian Walking Onion plant. Below is a comparison of a cluster of topsets and just one topset.

A typical cluster of Egyptian Walking Onion topsets.
A single Egyptian Walking Onion topset with a penny for scale.

Topset Size

Topsets are marble sized. The majority range from approximately 1/4" to 3/4" in diameter, however some may be bigger and some may be smaller.

Any order shipped out may contain topsets on the extreme small or large end of this range. For example, when you order 10 topsets, you may receive some that are 1" or more in diameter, and some that are 1/4" or less.

We handle many thousands of topsets, so the sets you receive are the luck of the draw. However, we do try to send a fair range so that you don’t receive all small or all large. We strive to grow exceptional topsets, and we always include extras.

Three average sized topsets shown with a penny for size reference.

Topset Shape and Appearance

Topset shapes vary. Some are round, some elongated, and some even flat. Most have a little sprout or roots emerging. Some may have green shoots 3–4 inches long.

Colors range from green to reddish/purple. The dry outer layers are normal and part of the curing process. These layers protect against moisture loss, mold, and bacteria.

Group of ten topsets showing variation in shape, size, and color.

What You Will Receive

Topsets are carefully hand-picked and counted. We always include a few extra for positive onion energy. They are placed in a small paper bag and shipped in a USPS Priority Mail box.

We do not include printed planting instructions to conserve paper, as full directions are available on the website.

An example of how topsets are shipped. They are hand-picked, counted, and placed in a small paper bag.

How many topsets should you order?

I get asked the following question quite often: how many topsets should I order?

Well, it all depends on what you want to do with your onions, and how big of an "onion patch" you want. Most people are looking forward to eating the onions, and I'm talking about the bulbs in the ground. Therefore, you need to have enough bulbs so that you can harvest some to eat, and also leave some growing in the ground.

The ones you leave in the ground will be your “supply” bulbs. Your supply bulbs will divide in the ground and make more bulbs which you can eat and plant. In the summer you can harvest your onions to eat. In the fall you can dig up your supply bulbs, separate them, and replant them for onions to eat next year.

When you plant the onion bulbs that you plan to eat, give them enough space so the bulb has room to grow as big as it can. A plant every six inches is enough. The trick to getting the bulb to grow bigger is to cut off the topset stalk in the spring.

The topset stalk appears during the “candlestick” phase. More about this onion's life cycle When you see it, just cut it off so that the plant does not start producing topsets. This allows the plant to focus its energy on the bulb in the ground. This is the same process used for growing garlic.

Garlic bulbils and flowers.

Garlic also produces a topset stalk called a scape. If the scape is left on the plant, it produces little bulbils (mini topsets) instead of focusing on bulb growth, just like an Egyptian Walking Onion.

If you want to grow the topsets, you can let them grow on your “supply” bulbs, not your “eating” bulbs. Your supply bulbs will divide in the ground and also produce topsets which you can eat, plant, or share. Remember, newly planted topsets will not produce topsets of their own during their first growing season. Read more about what to expect during the first year of growth.

What to Do When Your Topsets Arrive

Topsets are miniature plants, not seeds. They can dry out or mold if stored improperly. Our topsets are stored in special cold, dark, well ventilated conditions that allow them to remain viable for over six months. If you do not have adequate storage conditions for your topsets, then it is best to plant them as soon as possible.

If the ground is frozen, plant them in a pot and keep them cool and lightly watered. If they are freshly harvested and still green, you may plant them immediately or cure them in the shade with good airflow.

Never store topsets in sealed plastic or airtight containers. They will mold.

Topset Viability

Topsets are harvested in August and cured on wire racks with good airflow. The dry outer skins (called tunics) protect them and induce dormancy. Dry, papery layers are normal and do not mean the topset is dead.

To check viability:

  • Squeeze gently but firmly. You should feel a solid onion inside the dry papery layers.
  • Look for root nodules on the bottom.
  • Peel back outer skins to find firm pinkish or whitish flesh.
  • Look for a green shoot under the top layers.
An Egyptian Walking Onion topset 3 months after harvest. The outer protective layers of onion skin are known as the tunic. They are dry and crispy. Is this topset viable? Lets find out!
This is the same topset with most of the dry outer layers removed. When squeezed, this topset is very firm. A good indicator that it is viable, but we will continue to test it further to be sure.
When we turn the topset over, we can see whitish/yellow root nodules on the bottom. They are not dried out. They look ready to start growing at any moment. A good indicator that this is a viable living topset.
We removed the last layer of dry onion skin. We can now see the shiny pinkish "live" onion layer. The root nodules are more visible. The live shiny layer is another indicator that this topset is viable.
The colorful live topset in all its glory! There should be a green leaf sprout at the top (pointy end) under the pink onion layer. Onion layers are called leaf scales. They are modified leaves. Layers of leaf scales are what make up an onion bulb, or in this case, a little Egyptian Walking Onion topset, which is really just a miniature onion bulb!
We pealed back the onion layer and sure enough, here is the little green sprout. It's another indicator that this is a living, viable topset.

If a topset is soft, has black-mold inside, or is watery, peel away the damaged layers until clean tissue is found. Let it cure for two weeks, then try planting.

If a topset collapses into dry dust when squeezed, it is no longer viable.

For planting depth, spacing, and seasonal care, see our Planting Instructions page — it’s your full growing guide.

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