How far apart should I plant Daikon?

About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–40 cm (12–16 in).

Does Daikon need full sun?

Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Daikon need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Daikon?

It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Daikon flower?

About 10–16 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.

Is Daikon poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; raw radish roots are pungent and can upset the stomach if eaten in large amounts.

What grows well with Daikon?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Daikon Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

Daikon (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus) is an annual vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to East Asia (cultivated radish group). It grows 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall and 30–40 cm (12–16 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.

Plan Daikon in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Daikon at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	40–60 cm (16–24 in)
Mature spread	30–40 cm (12–16 in)
Spacing	20 cm (8 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	6–7
Cold hardiness	About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F)
Flowering	about 10–16 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks
Days to maturity	About 70 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: roots, young leaves, seed pods
Native to	East Asia (cultivated radish group)
Common in gardens of	🇯🇵 Japan, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇰🇷 South Korea

Is Daikon toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not toxic; raw radish roots are pungent and can upset the stomach if eaten in large amounts.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Daikon

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

Questions about Daikon

How far apart should I plant Daikon?: About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–40 cm (12–16 in).
Does Daikon need full sun?: Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Daikon need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Daikon?: It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Daikon flower?: About 10–16 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.
Is Daikon poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; raw radish roots are pungent and can upset the stomach if eaten in large amounts.
What grows well with Daikon?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO

Notes and assumptions

Best sown in late summer; spring sowings bolt in long days. Kc taken from the FAO-56 radish values.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes