Editing Onion

{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y}}
{{otheruses|the [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] mother ship|the [[treasure]]|Onion Replica}}
{{infobox plant
|image        = Onion P4 icon.png
|image2       = P3 Red Onion Render.png
|image3       = Red Onion.png
|imagetitle   = ''Pikmin 4''
|image2title  = ''Pikmin 3''
|image3title  = ''Pikmin'' / ''Pikmin 2''
|pikmin       = y
|pikmin2      = y
|pikmin3      = y
|pikmin4      = y
|heypikmin    = y
|icon         = Onion P4 icon.png
|icon2        = P3 Red Onion Render.png
|icon3        = Red Onion P2 icon.png
|size         = 250x250px
|name         = Lillium pikminiporta
|family       = Candypop
|areas        = [[The Impact Site]], [[The Forest of Hope]], [[The Forest Navel]], [[Valley of Repose]], [[Awakening Wood]], [[Perplexing Pool]], [[Tropical Wilds]], [[Garden of Hope]], [[Distant Tundra]], [[Twilight River]], [[Rescue Command Post]], [[Sun-Speckled Terrace]], [[Blossoming Arcadia]], [[Serene Shores]], [[Hero's Hideaway]], [[Giant's Hearth]], [[Primordial Thicket]], [[Pikmin Park]]
|missionct    = [[Twilight Hollow Remix]], [[Beastly Caverns]]
|missionbe    = [[Tropical Forest]], [[Silver Lake]], [[Thirsty Desert]], [[Twilight Hollow]], [[Shaded Garden]], [[Tropical Wilds Remix]], [[Garden of Hope Remix]], [[Distant Tundra Remix]], [[Twilight River Remix]], [[Fortress of Festivity]], [[The Rustyard]], [[Beastly Caverns]], [[Forgotten Cove]], [[Clockwork Chasm]]
|sidestories  = [[Flower Garden]], [[Inside Forest]], [[River]], [[Tundra]], [[Pikmin Reunion]], [[Creature Hunting]], [[Land, Sea, and Sky]], [[First Part Found]], [[Team Monster Hunt]], [[Channel Gone Dry]], [[Looking for Louie]], [[Big Fruit Carnival]]
|2p           = [[Battle Field]], [[War Path]], [[Carpet Plain]], [[Angle Maze]], [[Colosseum]], [[Rusty Gulch]], [[Brawl Yard]], [[Tile Lands]], [[Dim Labyrinth]], [[Hostile Territory]]
|bingo        = [[Shaded Terrace]], [[Stagnant Sea]], [[Twisted Cavern]], [[Arid Metropolis]], [[Rusted Labyrinth]], [[Jigsaw Fortress]], [[Blooming Terrace]], [[Buried Pond]], [[Sandbox Kingdom]], [[Corroded Maze]], [[Jigsaw Colosseum]]
|dandori_b    = [[Trial Run]], [[Battle in a Box]], [[Dandori Castle]], [[Leafy Showdown]], [[Hot Sandy Duel]], [[Final Battle]]
|dandori_c   = [[Trial of the Sage Leaf]]
}}

'''Onions''' ({{j|オニヨン|Oniyon|Oniyon}}) are large, round life forms that act as mother ships for the [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]]. There are eight main types of Onion nests, each with unique coloration corresponding to either [[Red Pikmin|Red]], [[Yellow Pikmin|Yellow]], [[Blue Pikmin|Blue]], [[Purple Pikmin|Purple]], [[White Pikmin|White]], [[Rock Pikmin|Rock]], [[Winged Pikmin|Winged]], and [[Ice Pikmin|Ice]]. As of {{p4}}, [[Bulbmin]] and [[Glow Pikmin]] are the only Pikmin types to have no known Onions.

In {{p3}}, all discovered Onions merge together the night after they are discovered, and become a single, universal Onion, greatly simplifying the act of withdrawing and retrieving multiple Pikmin types at once. It also appears that the Onions in this game are much more free in regards to which Pikmin species they will hold than their ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'' counterparts. In ''Pikmin 3'', if a new Onion color is discovered, and Pikmin from that new type are left on the landing site at the end of the [[day]], the master Onion there will accommodate them until the Onions fuse at the end of the day.

In {{p4}}, it's revealed they are part of the [[candypop family]]. Onions merge in this game much like in ''Pikmin 3'', but discovered Onions remain dormant upon being found and must be manually [[carry|carried]] back to the master Onion in order for them to merge. Since some Pikmin types have duplicate Onions in ''Pikmin 4'', collecting a type that has already been obtained will result in its absorption by the master Onion, converting it into 20 Pikmin of the Onion's color. [[Flarlic]] can also be brought to the Onion to increase the [[Pikmin limit]] by 10.

During the daytime, Pikmin hunt and bring food, such as [[pellet]]s or defeated [[enemy|enemies]], to their Onion, which in turn produces new Pikmin seeds. If there are fewer Pikmin on the field than the allowed Pikmin limit, the seeds are ejected from its flower's head and take root in the ground as [[sprout]]s; if not, they are added to that type's Pikmin reserves as [[Maturity#Stages|leaf Pikmin]]. Unlike in the area, however, the number of Pikmin that can be stored inside an Onion is unlimited, [[#Storage limit|as a general rule]]. When night falls and all the Pikmin have returned, the Onion folds or sucks in its legs and lifts off from the ground, joining the ship in low orbit.

== Behavior ==
In both ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', when night falls, the Onion folds up its legs and lifts off from the ground, using its flower petal-like rotor blades to propel itself into low orbit, where it hovers until morning. In ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4'', when it's ready to lift off, it retracts its legs back into its base and lifts off through jets coming from the spots where its legs once were. 

When the Onions are first discovered in ''Pikmin'', ''Pikmin 3'', and ''Pikmin 4'', they are found dormant. It is not known exactly what triggers this hibernation, though they can hibernate even with their respective Pikmin type nearby. It seems that this dormancy does not hinder their awareness however, as ''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} Red and Winged Onions can be seen thrashing about, trying to get out of what they're ensnared in, when initially discovered. Additionally, in ''Pikmin 4'', the Red Onion will wiggle itself out of [[Oatchi]]'s mouth before it gets absorbed by the [[S.S. Beagle]]. As [[Winged Pikmin]] and [[Blue Pikmin]] are the only two types who aren't discovered before their Onions are reactivated, they seem to have become extinct by the time ''Pikmin 3'' begins, at least in the areas their respective Onions are discovered in.

Onions seem to have some level of sentience, in that if all Pikmin of the same type are lost, the type's corresponding Onion will produce a single seed the following day (in ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'') or right after to prevent a [[Pikmin extinction]]. As seen when Louie finds the Red Onion in ''Pikmin 2,'', an Onion will also spit out a Pikmin seed even if there are Pikmin matching its type nearby, if none of them are able to reach it. Captain Olimar notes this in his [[Olimar's voyage log|voyage log]].{{cite quote|When all of one color are lost, the Onion instinctively puts out new seeds... How does it know to do this? What a mysterious life-form!|Captain Olimar|his logs about a partial Pikmin extinction}} In addition, they seem to "awaken" when a [[leader]] approaches them for the first time, and are capable of following the ship at daybreak. They appear to know that as a general rule, they should not suck in leaders that are being [[carry|carried]] (and will issue [[Easter eggs#Fireworks|fireworks]] if that is attempted in ''Pikmin''). However, Onions do suck in leaders and [[castaway]]s if someone is trying to make a [[leafling]] out of them, as in {{p4}} and [[Olimar as Pikmin|to Olimar]] in the bad ending of ''Pikmin''; this suggests that Onions can understand the intentions of nearby creatures.

In ''Pikmin 3'', the Yellow Onion does not activate until a nearby light source is turned on, and in ''Pikmin'', ''Pikmin 2'', and ''Pikmin 3'', the Blue Onions are shown to safely stand in water after being activated. It is unknown if all Onions possess these characteristics, or if specifically these types of Onions require light and can stand in water as those qualities are reminiscent of their respective Pikmin types.

== Appearance ==
[[File:Three Onions P2.jpg|thumb|250px|The three Onions in {{p2}}.]]
=== ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'' ===
These bulbous plant-hives have brightly colored bodies with a black and white band across the midsection. On the top, there is a big flower, closely resembling the flowers that Pikmin have. There are markings on the ground under where the Onions land in each area. Three stilt-like legs suspend the Onions out of the reach of hungry predators, and provide access to the inside for Pikmin. In {{p1}}, [[Captain Olimar|Olimar]] states that he inspected the Onion's legs and saw they were covered with tiny little hairs.{{cite quote|When I inspected the Onion's legs, I saw that they were covered by tiny little hairs. It was kind of disturbing.|Olimar|his voyage log}} The Onions are named as such because of their resemblance to a vegetable native to Olimar's [[Hocotate|home planet]].{{cite quote|It resembles a vegetable on my home planet that we call an Onion. I shall call this an Onion too.|Olimar|a monolog about the Red Onion}}

In ''Pikmin'', Onions look different before they are discovered. They are darker and less saturated in coloration, have no flower on top, and are partly buried. When Captain Olimar approaches them, they suddenly fill with color, their flower blooms and spins rapidly, and they pull their legs out from the ground and out of their folded position. Additionally, no matter if they are dormant or not, the Onions' pattern bands are slightly smaller and lower down on their main bodies than ''Pikmin 2''{{'s}} Onions.

In ''Pikmin 2''{{'s}} [[Cutscene#Treasure Completion Cinema|Treasure Completion Cinema]], golden light and bright sparkles pour out from the Onions' undersides as they ascend into the sky alongside the Hocotate ship.

=== ''Pikmin 3'' ===
In ''Pikmin 3'', Onions appear as small, mechanical, berry-like objects with a black-metallic base with three "joints". Out of these joints come three glowing tentacle-like legs which allow the Onion to stand. At night, the legs completely retract and bright, blueish white flames burst out of the "joints", allowing the Onion to lift off into the night sky.

When multiple Onions are discovered, they fuse together to become an even larger universal Onion that swirls different colors, depending on the type of Pikmin it holds. When all five Pikmin types in the game are discovered, the Onion swells up into a more traditional Onion-like shape and a black band appears across the midsection of the Onion.

Some of the new Onions also display their [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] type's characteristic element upon activation: the Yellow Onion creates a small burst of [[electricity]], the Blue Onion drains out [[water]] from itself, and the Winged Onion's flower flutters erratically. The Red Onion and Rock Onion lack any notable visual trait upon being freed from their predicaments.

When the player has 100 total Pikmin in their squad, the Onions will emit smoke. This smoke is purely visual and has no effect on gameplay.

=== ''Pikmin 4'' ===
In ''Pikmin 4'', the Onion changes appearance once again, now appearing more like a fruit or vegetable with a speckled texture similar to the Pikmin models used in promotional material for ''Pikmin 3''; its flower's petals are quite wide and point downwards much like the Onions' petals in ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2''. The base of the Onion is now yellow and plastic-like in appearance, and its legs are now green instead of yellow. 

Like in ''Pikmin 3'', Onions fuse together, with the main body splitting into multiple equally-sized segments akin to some {{w|gourd}}s, with each segment bearing the color of a Pikmin type. Additionally, Onions can now house any type of Pikmin, regardless if they can produce seeds of that type.

== Withdrawing and retrieving ==
The player can access an Onion's Pikmin by having the current [[leader]] stand under the corresponding Onion's beam of light, and pressing the [[throw]] button, ({{button|gc|a|Wii|a|wiiu|a|switch|a}}); or {{button|wiiu|l}} for the GamePad's Stylus mode, and {{button|switch|facer}} for ''Pikmin 4'' on multiplayer. Doing so pauses the gameplay and opens a [[Onion menu|menu]] where the player can choose how many Pikmin to retrieve, or how many Pikmin from the current party to place inside.

When Pikmin are told to go inside the Onion, they leave the leader's [[squad]] ([[Bomb Rock]] carrying Pikmin also drop them in ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 3''), and begin climbing up the Onion's legs, eventually entering the holes the legs originate from. During this time, they can be [[whistle]]d back to the group should the player change their mind, but if not, they will be stored inside the Onion, and the field [[HUD#Pikmin counter|Pikmin counter]] will decrease. Requested Pikmin will come out of the Onion from the same holes, and slide down the legs. If the leader is close enough, they will also automatically come to their side. In the case that there are Pikmin of multiple [[Maturity|maturities]], flower Pikmin will be withdrawn first, until there are no more left, in which case bud Pikmin will be withdrawn, and finally leaf Pikmin. This is not true when Pikmin are sent back inside an Onion &ndash; all Pikmin sent inside will go in in a seemingly [[Randomness|random]] order.{{Source needed}} Additionally, in ''Pikmin 4''{{'s}} 1.1.0 update where [[Decor Pikmin (Pikmin 4)|Decor Pikmin]] were added, they will be the first to be withdrawn.{{source needed}}

== Storage limit ==
{{Game help|p4|How many Pikmin can an Onion store in ''Pikmin 4''?}}
In {{p1}} and {{p2}}, an Onion can store any number of Pikmin, for all three [[maturity|maturities]]. In reality, because of hardware limitations, {{w|Integer (computer science)#Common integral data types|numbers can only hold up to certain values}}, but these are too large to be reached realistically.

In {{p3}}, the Onion can hold up to 9999 Pikmin of a given type in total.{{cite youtube|LS6bClqgV00||demonstrating the Onion's 9999 Pikmin limit in ''Pikmin 3''|published={{date|2|September|2019}}|retrieved={{date|14|September|2019}}}} If the player manages to go over this cap, all of the Pikmin of that type inside of the Onion will be converted into flower Pikmin. In addition, any Pikmin that is inserted into the Onion that would make it go over that limit will simply disappear. If a player has so many Pikmin with them that, at [[sunset]], they would go inside the Onion and exceed the Pikmin cap, then all Pikmin will still go inside the Onion, but the game will treat those Pikmin as if they had been left behind at sunset at the [[Day results menu|day's report]] of the excess amount{{source needed}}. Whether these behaviors are the result of a glitch or intended is not known. 

In {{p4}}, the displayed number will cap out at 9999, but the amount of Pikmin inside will go higher{{cite web|https://www.reddit.com/r/Pikmin/comments/1ppjgux/i_both_got_a_lot_of_pikmin_and_got_1000_on_a_cave|Reddit|demonstrating the Onion's 9999 displayed Pikmin limit in ''Pikmin 4''|published={{date|18|December|2025}}|retrieved={{date|20|December|2025}}}}

== Types ==
=== Red Onion ===
[[File:Red Onion P3 screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|100x|The Red Onion in ''Pikmin 3''.]]
The Red Onion is the first Onion to be discovered in [[Pikmin series|all four games]], and it houses [[Red Pikmin]]. In ''Pikmin'', the Red Onion is found in [[The Impact Site]], dormant in the ground not far from where the [[S.S. Dolphin]] crashed. Once awakened, it will release a single Red Pikmin [[sprout|seed]], which [[Olimar]] can use to harvest nearby Red [[Pellet Posy|Pellet Posies]] to spawn enough Pikmin to retrieve the [[Main Engine]].

In ''Pikmin 2'', [[Louie]] finds this Onion in the [[Valley of Repose]] when he falls out of the [[Hocotate ship]]'s lower cockpit, and gets separated from Olimar and the ship as a result. When approached, it releases a single Red Pikmin seed, which can be used to grow enough Pikmin to reunite with Olimar and carry the [[Courage Reactor|first treasure]] back to the ship.

In ''Pikmin 3'', the Red Onion is discovered when [[Alph]] comes upon it caught in a plant in the [[Tropical Wilds]]. The 3 Red Pikmin need to be thrown at it, so that it gets weighed down and eventually freed.

In ''Pikmin 4'', it is found by the [[Rescue Corps]] in the [[Rescue Command Post]], buried under a mound of dirt. The Rescue Corps initially mistakes it for a [[treasure]] and send Oatchi to dig it out to bring it to the S.S. Beagle, but the Onion activates by itself before it can be collected. In [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]], an active Red Onion stands next to the S.S. Dolphin from the start of day 1. It is already active and contains 10 Red Pikmin.

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=== Yellow Onion ===
[[File:Yellow Onion P3 screenshot.jpg|thumb|100x|The Yellow Onion in ''Pikmin 3''.]]
The Yellow Onion stores [[Yellow Pikmin]], and is the second type the player will come across in the first game. In ''Pikmin'', it is found dormant in [[The Forest of Hope]] amidst several yellow Pellet Posies and free-standing yellow pellets.

In ''Pikmin 2'', the Yellow Onion is located in the [[Perplexing Pool]] behind a [[poison gate]] protected by a [[Fiery Bulblax]], so [[White Pikmin]] and Red Pikmin are required to reach it, without the use of [[Sequence break#Early Yellow Pikmin|sequence breaks]].{{cite youtube|bXiVifnDYrc|showcasing how to access the Yellow Pikmin without destroying the poison gate|published={{date|10|February|2013}}|retrieved={{date|20|December|2025}}}} There are a few yellow Pellet Posies nearby, which will not regrow once they have been harvested.

In ''Pikmin 3'' the Yellow Onion is discovered by [[Brittany]] in a cave, as soon as the [[Distant Tundra]] is entered. To activate it, the Yellow Pikmin nearby must be ordered to connect the nearby [[electrode]], in order to create a current that lights up a light bulb, awakening the Onion.

In ''Pikmin 4'', two Yellow Onions can be found by the [[rookie Rescue Officer]] and Oatchi. One is behind a [[bag]] in the [[Sun-Speckled Terrace]] that must be flattened by throwing ten Pikmin on top of it, the other is on top of a flowered hill accessible via a ramp in the [[Blossoming Arcadia]]. In Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, Yellow Onions are present on the right side of the Sun-Speckled Terrace as well as in the Blossoming Arcadia. In both modes, Yellow Onions [[weight|weigh]] 20 units and getting a second Yellow Onion propagates 20 Yellow Pikmin.

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=== Blue Onion ===
[[File:Blue Onion P3 screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|100x|The Blue Onion in ''Pikmin 3''.]]
The Blue Onion houses [[Blue Pikmin]], which are the last Pikmin type to be discovered in the first three games in the {{ps}}. In ''Pikmin'', the Blue Onion can be found in [[The Forest Navel]] in a pool near the landing site. Several blue [[Pellet Posies]] are in the immediate vicinity, as well as a blue 5-[[pellet]].

In ''Pikmin 2'', the Blue Onion is located in the [[Awakening Wood]]. Although it can be seen on the first visit to the area, it lies behind an [[electric gate]], meaning that [[Yellow Pikmin]] from the [[Perplexing Pool]] are required to access it, though the player can use [[Glitches in Pikmin 2#Seesaw block glitch|glitches]] to bypass that requirement.{{cite youtube|CWkHfTWlmpM|explaining how to get Blue Pikmin early in ''Pikmin 2''|published={{date|8|January|2018}}|retrieved={{date|9|April|2020}}}} A small water pool blocks the only direct path up to the gate, so Pikmin must be thrown up a nearby ledge to reach the electric gate without any risk of drowning.

In ''Pikmin 3'', the Blue Onion is located in a pool in the second half of the [[Garden of Hope]] that can only be reached after rescuing [[Louie]] from the [[Scornet Maestro]] in the [[Twilight River]]. Even if players manage to reach this second half of the area before Louie is rescued, they will be unable to rescue the Blue Onion.{{cite youtube|YwNFIAJrzjo|showing how to enter the second half of the Garden of Hope before Louie is rescued|published={{date|3|August|2013}}|retrieved={{date|20|December|2025}}}}

''Pikmin 4'' marks the first time in the main series that the Onion is not the last to be found, with the first one located near the first [[Dandori Battle]] cave in the [[Sun-Speckled Terrace]], although it cannot be brought back until the water nearby is frozen with a large amount of [[Ice Pikmin]] or [[Ice Blast]]s, or until enough [[Wild Pikmin|wild]] Blue Pikmin to carry it across have been found. It can also be collected without either type by using Oatchi's [[Super Buff]] and [[Doggy-Paddle]] skills with an [[Ice Blast]]. Another Blue Onion can be found in the [[Serene Shores]], near the encounter with the [[Crusted Rumpup]] in a small pool beyond a[ [[climbing wall]] which must be built. Since it is submerged and Oatchi cannot access this area, Blue Pikmin must already be found to collect it, unless a Bomb Rock or the [[Co-op Mode|Pebble Pitcher]] is used. In Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, there are Blue Onions in the [[Blossoming Arcadia]] and Serene Shores. Regardless of game mode or location, a Blue Onion requires the strength of 20 Pikmin to carry, and the second Blue Onion collected creates 20 Pikmin upon being absorbed by the master Onion.
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=== Rock Onion ===
[[File:Rock Onion P3.jpg|thumb|100x|The Rock Onion in ''Pikmin 3''.]]
The Rock Onion is the Onion that holds [[Rock Pikmin]]. It can be found in the [[Garden of Hope]], in the cave next to the section in which Brittany was being held. A [[Medusal Slurker]] guards the [[crystal]] holding the Rock Onion, and it is holding six Rock Pikmin inside itself. Near the Rock Onion, there are 3 crystals, two of which hold 1-[[pellet]]s, and the last of which holds a [[Data File]] explaining how carrying works with multiple types of Pikmin holding the object. The Medusal Slurker can also be carried back to the Onion. 

In ''Pikmin 4'', a single Rock Onion can be found in the [[Giant's Hearth]], guarded by a [[Sovereign Bulblax]]. It requires the strength of 30 Pikmin to carry, and it is partially buried in the ground. [[Yonny]] makes a note of the Onion when it's discovered, as he wonderers whether it is actually an Onion due to its rocky-coloration.

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=== Winged Onion ===
[[File:Winged Onion P3 screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|100x|The Winged Onion in ''Pikmin 3''.]]
The Winged Onion{{cite quote|Save the Winged Onion!|Title of a day where the player has discovered but not saved the Winged Onion|the [[day selection menu]]}} is home to the [[Winged Pikmin]]. Upon reaching the [[Twilight River]] and walking around, the player will get a [[cutscene]] showing that the Winged Onion is trapped in an [[Arachnode]] web. However, the Onion is located across the River, and a rather large [[bridge]] must be built across it to reach the other shore. Once the Onion is freed from the web, it will spit out one Winged Pikmin seed. Near the Onion are many [[Flukeweed]]s, which hold 1-pellets, 5-pellets, [[nectar egg]]s, and [[Female Sheargrub]]s underneath them. There is also a [[Glitches in Pikmin 3#Early Winged Pikmin|glitch]] that allows the player to reach the other shore without the need to build the bridge, though it is recommended as it will help with carrying back objects.

In ''Pikmin 4'', a single Winged Onion can be found in the [[Primordial Thicket]], on a ledge nearby both a [[Dandori Challenge]] and large pool of mud. It is one of only a few Onions in the game that are not initially found partially buried. It requires the strength of 10 Pikmin to carry, and it is also quite adorable according to [[Bernard]].{{cite quote|Well now, THAT is a downright adorable Onion! Something about that color makes it look like it could float away at any second!|Bernard when encountering the Winged Onion}}

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=== White Onion ===
In ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 3'', White Pikmin were only available by converting other Pikmin types into them with [[Ivory Candypop Bud]]s (''Pikmin 2'') or white [[Candypop Bud]]s (''Pikmin 3''). However, White Onions are revealed to exist in ''Pikmin 4''. After the player completes [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]], they will unlock a special [[cave]] in the [[Rescue Command Post]] called the [[Trial of the Sage Leaf]]. In its 5th story, [[Trial of the Sage Leaf#5th Story: The White Key|The White Key]], the White Onion can be discovered behind a [[numbered gate]], requiring the player to collect the "[[Sacred Sphere Series|nine dragon jewels]]" to lower it. Once the player transports the Onion to the [[S.S. Beagle]] and completes the story (with any rank), they will unlock the White Onion for use above ground. It requires the strength of 10 Pikmin to carry.

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=== Purple Onion ===
Similar to the White Pikmin, Purple Pikmin were only available via [[Violet Candypop Bud]]s or purple Candypop Buds prior to ''Pikmin 4'' and were believed to not have an Onion. Like the White Onion, it can be unlocked in the [[Trial of the Sage Leaf]], this time within its 10th and final story, [[Trial of the Sage Leaf#Final Story: The Purple Key|The Purple Key]]. The Onion is on a ledge near the [[S.S. Beagle]], but across a small opening only the player can go through, meaning the Onion must be carried through a maze of obstacles (including a patrolling [[Waterwraith]]). Once the player transports the Onion to the S.S. Beagle and completes the story (with any rank), they will unlock the Purple Onion for use above ground. The Purple Onion is by far the heaviest one in ''Pikmin 4'', requiring the strength of 100 Pikmin to carry.
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=== Ice Onion ===
The Ice Onion is home to ''Pikmin 4''{{'s}} [[Ice Pikmin]]. It can be found encased in an already frozen [[hydro jelly]] towards the north of the [[Hero's Hideaway]]. The Onion cannot be reached without traversing through the [[Frozen Inferno]], which by extension requires the player to have unlocked the [[Scorch Guard]] for both the [[rookie Rescue Officer]] and [[Oatchi]]. This makes the Ice Onion in ''Pikmin 4'' the only Onion in the series to require an [[gear|upgrade]] to obtain. The Ice Onion weighs 30 units, the same as the Rock Onion.

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=== "Master" Onion ===
{{title|conjectural|name=master Onion}}
[[File:Pikmin MasterOnion.jpg|thumb|100x|The master Onion's completed form.]]
In ''Pikmin 3'', the Rock Onion fuses with the Red Onion at the end of the day, in which the player discovers that Onions merge to form a larger, universal "master" Onion that holds all Pikmin types. As the player discovers the remaining Pikmin types, their Onions fuse into the master Onion as well, increasing the Onion in size as more Onions are fused. The [[Onion menu]] has been changed as a result, now allowing the player to pick the numbers for all types at once. The majority of one type of Pikmin [[carrying]] an object to the Onion will determine which type of Pikmin the Onion produces. For example, if ten Rock Pikmin and five Red Pikmin are carrying a [[Bulborb]] to the Onion, Rock Pikmin will be produced. This compound Onion is never given an official name, but is commonly referred to by fans as the "Master Onion".

The master Onion returns in ''Pikmin 4'', but with a new design. It also works differently from the previous game, as individual Onions can only be activated upon being carried back to any active [[base]] to be absorbed by the master Onion, and remains completely dormant otherwise. Pikmin that do not have Onions yet and [[Oatchi]] will prioritize growing the Pikmin type that has the least amount of Pikmin, unlike the "onionless" types in ''Pikmin 2'', who instead choose the Onion randomly every time a Pikmin is added or subtracted from the carried object.
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=== Flarlic ===
{{main|Flarlic}}
Flarlic is introduced in ''Pikmin 4''. It does not fulfil the role of Onions in a typical sense, but the game's [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 4)| Piklopedia]] and completion counters count Flarlic as Onions. They simply increase the maximum Pikmin limit of an Onion by ten when brought back to the master Onion, up to a maximum of 100 (or 60 on [[Difficulty|Fierce mode]]. More Flarlic after that will instead force the Onion to produce [[nectar]] and [[ultra-spicy spray|ultra-spicy nectar]].
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=== Other types ===
{{Spoiler section|
[[File:Pikmin Secret Onions.png|thumb|Various colors of Onions.]]
In the best ending of ''Pikmin'', there is a scene where a group of fourteen different colored Onions fly above the atmosphere of [[PNF-404]]. It is unknown whether they are trying to follow Captain Olimar, or merely hovering for the night. It is also unknown if these colors refer to Pikmin types that were planned to be included later in the franchise, or if they are random colors picked just to add aesthetic value to the ending cutscene. The following Onions are seen:
* Four black, or possibly dark gray, akin to [[Rock Pikmin]].
* Three pink, similar to the [[Winged Pikmin]] Onion.
* Two purple. While [[Purple Pikmin]] were introduced in {{p2}}, they did not have an Onion until {{p4}}.
* Two cyan, similar to the [[Ice Pikmin]].
* One orange. No Pikmin are associated with this color as of ''Pikmin 4''.
* One lime-green. While [[Glow Pikmin]] are lime-green, they do not interact with Onions.
* One blue, the same as the [[Blue Pikmin]] Onion.
|the best ending in '''Pikmin'''|collapsed=y}}
{{clear}}

== In 2-Player Battle, Bingo Battle and Dandori Battles ==
In ''Pikmin 2''{{'s}} [[2-Player Battle]], ''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} [[Bingo Battle]] and ''Pikmin 4''{{'s}} [[Dandori Battle]]s, each player has one Onion in their base. To earn points, a player must carry back objects to their assigned Onion, which, unlike other game modes, will also accept [[treasure]]s and [[fruit]]s, as well as a few other objects. These Onions act differently from any game's [[Story Mode]]: they cannot store extra Pikmin and leaders cannot take Pikmin in or out of them. In the former two battle modes, they also spit out Pikmin to replace those that have been lost to enemy Pikmin without needing nutrients to do so.

In 2-Player Battles, the first player gets a Red Onion, while the second player owns a Blue Onion. In Bingo Battles the first player is assigned a cyan-colored Onion that pulses yellow, and the second player receives a magenta-colored Onion that pulses orange; these colors are merely used to tell teams apart and do not indicate which Pikmin types will be used in the battle.

In Dandori Battles, the first player (the protagonist in Story Mode) receives a cyan Onion while the second player is assigned a magenta Onion; like in Bingo Battle, these colors merely tell teams apart. Both players' Onions produce fully grown leaf Pikmin that do not go through the sprout stage. Onions in a Dandori Battle are susceptible to [[Sneak Bomb]]s, which, if delivered by the enemy player, will explode inside the Onion and force it to eject points in the form of a substance called Dandorium.

== Strategies ==
The number of Pikmin created when a [[pellet]] is delivered to an Onion is higher if the pellet type matches the Onion's. This should be taken into account when ordering Pikmin to [[carry]] a pellet, in order to maximize the number of Pikmin obtained.

When an Onion creates new Pikmin, in order to save time, like on a [[Challenge run#Speedrun|speedrun]], it is best to withdraw Pikmin from Onions so that the field total reaches [[Pikmin limit|the limit]]. This is because the Pikmin will be expelled as seeds in case there are less than the limit of Pikmin on the field. The process of waiting for the seeds to be expelled and planted, waiting for them to grow stems, and [[pluck]]ing them is quite lengthy. The time it takes to withdraw the Pikmin that cap the counter, and in the case of the new Pikmin being a different type, the time it takes to store them again and retrieve the new Pikmin, is considerably smaller overall. In speedruns, the route is normally planned out so that, whenever possible, the field counter is capped when new Pikmin are generated. Normally, it's also organized so that no time is wasted withdrawing Pikmin just to avoid plucking the new ones.

In ''Pikmin 2'', after the [[Five-man Napsack]] has been obtained, the Pikmin can be told to [[carry]] a [[leader]] that is [[lie down|lying down]] to an Onion, so long as the player holds {{button|gc|x|wii|c|switch|rstickclick}}. This carries the advantage of having one leader go to an Onion automatically while the player can control the other leader, which increases the multitasking potential. This can also be done in the first game, by holding {{button|gc|padd|wii|2}}, but because there is only one leader, the multitasking advantage is minimal to non-existent, though it is used for some tricks and glitches such as [[Glitches in Pikmin#Object nudging|object nudging]]. This feature was removed in future games and was superseded by [[Go Here]].

== In ''Hey! Pikmin'' ==
In {{hp}}, there is only one Onion, and it is at the beginning of the game, fully developed. It does, however, not have any impact on gameplay as it can only be seen in cutscenes, [[Pikmin Park]], and the results screen. It looks nearly identical to the master Onion from ''Pikmin 3'', but unlike ''Pikmin 3'', this Onion contains colored swirls for Purple Pikmin and White Pikmin, which do not appear in the game and did not have Onions at the time of the game's release.

== Notes ==
=== Dalmo's notes ===
{{transcript|"The majesty of nature," "the mystery of life"... I feel that these stale clichés can't fully express the extraordinary symbiotic relationship between Pikmin and Onions. Is there a connection here of an affectionate nature, perhaps? There's so much we still don't know!|block=y}}

=== Olimar's notes ===
{{transcript|Sometimes it lies dormant, much like a bulb, but dig it up from the ground and provide it with the right stimulus—for example, a good, hard shake—and it will activate, sprouting three rootlike legs.

It serves a role similar to a nest or an incubator for the Pikmin, absorbing pellets or the bodies of dead creatures for their nutritional value, and then propagating Pikmin the same color as itself.

Onions also seem to greedily attempt to replicate certain characteristics of the matter that they absorb by combining with, or absorbing, other Onions, sometimes of the same type.

It's been confirmed that just like Pikmin, an Onion has muscle fibers in its body, and though it is unable to walk, it is capable of a small range of motion. However, when one breaks down the biological matter it has absorbed, a fuel similar to bioethanol is created. Onions spray this fuel out of the mouths on their underbellies and are able to fly using their flowerlike propellers for stabilization.|block=y}}

=== Louie's notes ===
{{transcript|If you look closely, you'll see its legs are sprouting a dense layer of hair.|block=y}}

=== ''Hey! Pikmin'' logs ===
{{transcript|I call it the Onion after the vegetables back on Hocotate. It was there already when I crash-landed. It acts as a nest for Pikmin; when you bring a pellet back to it, new Pikmin emerge. We may never know what goes on in there.|block=y}}

=== ''Pikmin Bloom'' social media accounts' bio ===
;English
{{transcript|Onion<br>These perplexing objects act as nests for the Pikmin. By absorbing pellets and enemies, the Onion can produce Pikmin seeds. During the evening, the Pikmin enter the Onion and it lifts off from the ground, hovering in the sky until morning.|block=y}}
;Japanese Text
{{transcript|オニヨン<br>ピクミンたちの巣にあたる不思議な物体。 ペレットや原生生物を吸収 させると、 ピクミンの芽を生み出す。 ピクミンは夜になるとオニヨン の中に入り、上空へと飛び立つ。|block=y}}
;Japanese Translation
{{transcript|Onion<br>A mysterious object that serves as a nest for Pikmin. When it absorbs pellets and creatures, it produces Pikmin sprouts. At night, the Pikmin enter the Onion and fly off into the sky.|block=y}}

== Badges ==
In {{p3d}}, there is a [[badge (Pikmin 3 Deluxe)|badge]] the player can gain from use of the Onion:
*'''Gardener''': Sprout 1,000 Pikmin in Story Mode.
<gallery>
Badge 50 gardener.png|Gardener. The badge shows all five types of Pikmin from ''Pikmin 3''.
</gallery>

== In the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series ==
[[File:SSBB Mario throws Pellet.jpg|thumb|160px|[[smashwiki:Mario|Mario]] throwing a pellet into an Onion.]]
In {{ssbb}}, {{Ssb4}}, and {{ssbu}}, the three main Onions appear on the [[PNF-404#In the Super Smash Bros. series|Distant Planet]] stage, and in the case of ''Brawl'', as a random trophy too. On the arena, when a [[pellet]] is thrown into one, items are ejected. The higher the number on the pellet thrown, the higher the amount of items that will appear, with even more items appearing if the pellet and Onion have the same color, similar to the way it works in the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]]. The Onions randomly land and fly away, but can be forced to leave early if hit several times. In ''Brawl'', a Red Onion also appears as a [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl#Stickers|sticker]].

;Trophy information:
{{smash trophy
|image  = Onion trophy SSBB.png
|desc   = {{Notes:Onion/ssbb}}
|type   = Stage
|obtain = Random appearance.
}}

{{clear}}

== Naming ==
{{naming
|common     = Onion. The [[Sage Leaf]] (who appears to have been a leafling since long before Olimar's first visit to PNF-404) instead refers to the Purple and White Onions as the "purple jewel" and the "white jewel" respectively.
|jpcommon   = {{j|オニヨン|Oniyon|Oniyon}}. It is a corruption of {{j|オニオン|Onion|Onion|f=tp}}.
|jpname     = {{j|ピキノシガンバナ|Piki no Shigan Bana|[[Pikmin family#Naming|Piki]]'s Flower of This World}}.
|scientific = ''Lillium pikminiporta''. ''Lillium'' is similar to ''lilium'', Latin for "lily". ''pikminiporta'' is a combination of "Pikmin" and possibly ''portāre'', Latin for "to carry". Therefore, its scientific name could be translated to "Pikmin-Carrying Lily".
|internal = <code>onyon</code>.
}}

=== Names in other languages ===
{{foreignname
|Jap  = オニヨン
|JapR = Oniyon
|JapM = Oniyon
|ChiTrad  = 歐擬蛹
|ChiTradR = Ōunǐyǒng
|ChiTradM = Oniyon
|ChiSimp  = 欧拟蛹
|ChiSimpR = Ōunǐyǒng
|ChiSimpM = Oniyon
|Dut  = Ui
|DutM = Onion
|Fra  = Oignon
|FraM = Onion
|Ger  = Zwiebel
|GerM = Onion
|Ita  = Cipolla
|ItaM = Onion
|Kor  = 오니용
|KorR = Oniyong
|KorM = Oniyon
|Spa  = Cebolla
|SpaM = Onion
|PorB  = Cebola (''Pikmin 4'')
|PorBM = Onion (''Pikmin 4'')
|PorP = Onion
|PorPM = -
|PorPN = Translation taken from the ''Pikmin'' instruction manual.
|notes=y
}}

== Gallery ==
===''Pikmin''===
<gallery>
Red Onion.png|Artwork of the Red Onion.
Red Onion P1 seed.jpg|Artwork of the Red Onion releasing a Pikmin seed.
Yellow Onion.png|Artwork of the Yellow Onion.
Blue Onion.png|Artwork of the Blue Onion.
PikminOnionModels.png|The models of the Onions' bodies.
Dormant Onion.jpg|The Red Onion as it's first discovered.
Red Onion P1.png|The Red Onion upon awakening.
</gallery>

===''Pikmin 2''===
<gallery>
P2 Red Onion.png|Clay model of the Red Onion.
P2 Yellow Onion.png|Clay model of the Yellow Onion.
P2 Blue Onion.png|Clay model of the Blue Onion.
P2 Blue Onion Alternate Art.jpg|Alternate angle of the Blue Onion's clay model.
Red Onionp2.png|The Red Onion at the [[Awakening Wood]]'s landing site.
Yellow Onionp2.png|The Yellow Onion in its discovery cutscene.
Blue Onionp2.png|The Blue Onion in its discovery cutscene.
</gallery>

===''Pikmin 3''===
<gallery>
Red Pikmin and Onion P3.png|Red Pikmin looking at their trapped Onion.
Rock onion crystal.jpeg|The Rock Onion, trapped inside a [[large crystal]].
P3 Inactive Yellow Onion.jpg|An inactive Yellow Onion.
Winged Onion in Arachnode web P3.png|The Winged Onion, caught in an Arachnode's web.
Onionfluke.jpeg|The Blue Onion, buried in the ground with a  [[Flukeweed]] growing on top.
Master Onion P3 phase 1.jpg|Phase #1 of the master Onion.
Master Onion P3 phase 2.jpg|Phase #2 of the master Onion.
Master Onion P3 phase 3.jpg|Phase #3 of the master Onion.
Master Onion P3 phase 4.jpg|Phase #4 of the master Onion.
Pikmin3 MasterOnionBest.png|Screenshot of the Master Onion in its second phase.
Pikmin3 BingoBattleOnions.png|The Bingo Battle Onions.
OnionGUI.jpg|The [[Onion menu]].
Master Onion from below P3.jpg|The master Onion as seen from below.
WUPP Pikmin3 Ev05 scrn21.png|The master Onion in a promotional video, released on {{date|17|May|2013}}.
P3 Two Onions Merging Screenshot.png|The Red Onion beginning to absorb the Rock Onion while rising after nightfall. Notice the Red Onion's chute glowing as if it is receiving nutrients.
Onionmerge1.gif|A GIF showing two Onions merging.
Pikminology1.jpg|The data file explaining Onions generally.
Pikminology2.jpg|The data file explaining how to access the [[Onion menu]].
Pikminology3.jpg|The data file explaining Onion merging.
</gallery>

===''Pikmin 4''===
<gallery>
Pikmin 4 Red Onion.png|The Red Onion at the [[Rescue Command Post]]'s base.
Pikmin carrying the Ice Onion.jpg|Pikmin carrying the Ice Onion.
Rock Onion Cutscene P4.jpg|The Rock Onion partially buried.
Winged Onion Cutscene P4.jpg|The Winged Onion in an elevated clearing.
The White Onion partially buried.jpg|The White Onion partially buried.
The Purple Onion on top of a brick.jpg|The Purple Onion on a brick.
Pikmin 4 Multicolored Onion.png|The master Onion with Red, Yellow, and Blue Onions.
Pikmin 4 Multicolored Onion Flying.png|The master Onion (with Red, Yellow, and Blue onions sucked up), seen from above.
Piklopedia all Onions.jpg|The master Onion and all Onion types, as seen in the [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 4)|Piklopedia]].
Piklopedia all Onions (birds-eye view).jpg|Birds-eye view of master Onion and all Onion types.
Pikmin4-onionUI-earlygame.jpeg|The [[Onion menu]], with only 3 Pikmin types available.
P4 Buried Yellow Onion.jpg|A buried Yellow Onion in the [[Blossoming Arcadia]].
P4OnionAbsorbingFlarlic.jpg|The Red Onion absorbing a Flarlic in the Sun-Speckled Terrace.
</gallery>

===Other===
<gallery>
Red Onion E-Card Wrapper.jpg|Red Onion [[e-card]] pack.
Y pack 1.JPG|Yellow Onion e-card pack.
Blue Onion E-Card Wrapper.jpg|Blue Onion e-card pack.
File:P4 Comic Master Onion.png|The Master Onion seen in the comic "Morning Routine".
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
{{game help|p|check how consistent whistling Pikmin when they're coming out of the Onion is in ''New Play Control! Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 1'' on the Nintendo Switch.}}
*In {{p1}}, when Olimar first discovers the Red Onion, he appears surprised at the Onion suddenly blooming and sudden filling with color and carefully walks towards it, only to get knocked away by one of the Onion's legs when it springs out of the ground. The discoveries of Yellow Onion and Blue Onion show Olimar to again be surprised by the Onion's springing to life, only to back away hurriedly soon after as it begins to attempt to dig itself out of the ground. When the Onion does spring out, he leaps back in shock, though ultimately avoids being knocked away again.
*In the original [[Region|English language]] [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] versions of {{p1}}, attempting to take out more Pikmin from a Blue Onion than are in it results in the [[Mistake|erroneous]] message "There are no blues Pikmin to take out." The message was corrected to "There are no blue Pikmin to take out." in the ''New Play Control!'' version onwards.
*[[Unused content in Pikmin 2|Unused content in ''Pikmin 2'']] reveals that the Onions were at one point going to have a "booting up" [[cutscene]], much like in ''Pikmin''. This cutscene can be found almost entirely finished inside the game files, along with its own unique music cue and dialogue from the Hocotate ship.
*In ''Pikmin 2'', if a cave is entered the same day [[Wild Pikmin#Pikmin 2|wild Pikmin]] are obtained, their Onion will be at the landing site when the cave is left, rather than at the location where the wild Pikmin were discovered.
*In ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', it is possible to whistle Pikmin as they are exiting or entering an Onion. Doing so causes the Pikmin to drop off of the Onion's legs and to the ground. This can be used to either quickly walk back the decision to put away Pikmin, or to get Pikmin into your squad a little faster. Strangely, in the original GameCube version of ''Pikmin'', whistling Pikmin while they're coming out of the Onion seems extremely inconsistent, with it being rare to see even just a few Pikmin drop off of the Onion's legs.
*If one looks up at the master Onion in {{p3}} with the [[KopPad]]'s camera, they will be able to see what appears to be solar panel-like cells on its petals.
*If ''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} master Onion receives nutrients from a type of Pikmin while it is already producing seeds from a different Pikmin type, it will not produce seeds more than one type of Pikmin at once. It will finish producing the type of Pikmin it was already making before moving to a different type.
*In ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', when Pikmin are inside an Onion, it slightly bounces in place, puffs of smoke come out from its legs, sparkling effects come up from the head of its flower, bumping sounds can be heard, and only in ''Pikmin 2'', Pikmin sounds can also be heard coming from it. A similar thing happens when there are any [[Purple Pikmin]] or [[White Pikmin]] inside the [[Hocotate ship]], with clanging sounds coming from with ship, and its exhaust ports shaking and emitting black puffs of smoke.
*In ''Hey! Pikmin'', Olimar mentions climbing into the Onion to entertain himself.{{cite quote|I amuse myself by pretending to be a Pikmin and climbing up into the Onion or burying myself in the dirt.|Captain Olimar|his notes on the [[Anti Routine Screen]]}} Similarly, in ''Pikmin 4'', Collin says he took a peek inside the Onion.{{cite quote|I took a glance inside the Onion the other day and saw tens, maybe even hundreds of Pikmin eyes staring right back at me...|Collin|end of day conversation}}
*The Onions in ''Pikmin 3'' have colorful swirls that represent each available Pikmin type. These swirls follow specific patterns and movements, looping roughly every ten seconds.
*The Onions are discovered in new ways in each game. In ''Pikmin'', they are first found half-buried in a hibernation-like state and spring to life when approached, while in ''Pikmin 2'', they are all active with a group of their respective Pikmin type being nearby. In ''Pikmin 3'', the Onions all require rescuing from the leaders, and in ''Pikmin 4'', Onions are found half-buried and, with the exception of the Red Onion, must be brought to the active Onion to combine into it. In addition, two Blue Onions and two Yellow Onions can be found, and each give 20 Pikmin if they're collected while already having that type's Onion be a part of the master Onion. In ''Hey! Pikmin'', the master Onion is fully available from the start, although doesn't actually have any function in ''Hey! Pikmin''{{'s}} gameplay. 
**The difference between the hibernation of ''Pikmin'' and activity of ''Pikmin 2'' is possibly meant to represent the Pikmin's newfound independence gained from helping Olimar escape back to [[Hocotate]] after his crash landing.
**''Hey! Pikmin'' is the only game to have the Onion readily accessible from the start, and already in the master Onion form, but also have no function in-game.
**''Pikmin 4'' is the only game in the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]] to feature multiple Onions of the same color in gameplay, and, without extensive glitches, the only game to have Onion discovery be optional to beat the game.

== See also ==
*[[Carry]]
*[[S.S. Drake]]
*[[S.S. Shepherd]]
*[[Lumiknoll]]
*[[Candypop family]]

== Notes ==
{{refs}}

{{pikmin}}
{{Plants}}
{{featured|{{date|21|June|2013}}|{{date|25|December|2014}}}}

[[Category:Candypop family]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. series]]