Radish.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Vegetable

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

6 to 12 inches

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 2 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to ensure the roots develop a crisp texture. Watch for flea beetles that might chew small holes in the foliage. Thin your seedlings early so each plant has enough space to grow its root.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy to prevent the roots from splitting.

Feeding

Use a low nitrogen fertilizer to encourage root growth rather than just leafy greens.

Pruning

Remove any yellowing or damaged outer leaves to keep the plant tidy.

Repotting

Radishes are annuals and should be grown directly in their final garden spot.

Soil

Well draining loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

7 to 24°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Annual, typically 1 to 2 months.

Deer and rabbits

Low

Safety

People

The plant is non-toxic to humans.

Children

No specific safety concerns for children, though the seeds are small and pose a minor choking hazard.

Contact allergens

Some people may experience mild skin irritation from handling the rough leaves.

Airborne allergens

Pollen from flowering radishes can cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

Radishes are safe to eat, but avoid consuming if you have specific thyroid conditions as they contain goitrogens.

How to identify it

• Edible swollen taproot
• Rough textured green leaves
• Small white or pink flowers
• Fast growing annual habit

Height

0.15 to 0.6m

Spread

0.1 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pink, purple, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

red, white, black, purple, Spring or fall

Problems to watch for

• BoltingCommon
• Crucifer Flea BeetleCommon
• Root MaggotsCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• CutwormsUncommon
• Slugs and SnailsUncommon
• White RustUncommon
• Damping OffRare

• Flea beetles · Small jumping beetles that chew tiny holes in the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

early spring, late summer

Overwintering

Radishes are typically grown as annuals and do not require overwintering.

In containers

They grow very well in containers, provided the pot is at least 15 cm deep and has good drainage.

Plant radishes between slower growing crops to maximize your garden space.

Grows well with

• Lettuce · They share similar growing conditions and space requirements.
• Carrots · Radishes help break up soil for carrots and germinate faster to mark rows.

Keep away from

• Hyssop · Hyssop is known to inhibit the growth of radishes when planted nearby.

Similar species

• Daikon · A larger, milder relative often used for pickling.

Science

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Raphanus

Order

Brassicales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central and Western Asia.

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

Radishes thrive in cool weather and disturbed soils, allowing them to colonize areas quickly.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, attracts beneficial insects

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

culinary root vegetable, salad greens, cover crop

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my radishes woody?

They were likely left in the ground too long or experienced heat stress.

Can I grow them in pots?

Yes, they thrive in containers at least 15 cm deep.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Raphanus comes from the Greek word for quickly appearing, referring to their rapid germination.

Good to know

• Radishes were a staple food in ancient Egypt before the pyramids were built.
• They belong to the Brassicaceae family, just like broccoli and kale.
• The entire plant is edible, including the spicy seed pods.