How far apart should I plant Radish?

About 6 cm (2 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 cm (4–6 in).

Does Radish need full sun?

Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Radish need?

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

How cold-hardy is Radish?

It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Radish flower?

About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.

Is Radish 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. Radish is non-toxic to people and pets.

What grows well with Radish?

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.

Radish Raphanus sativus

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is an annual vegetable in the Brassicaceae family. It grows 15–25 cm (6–10 in) tall and 10–15 cm (4–6 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 6 cm (2 in) apart.

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

Radish at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	15–25 cm (6–10 in)
Mature spread	10–15 cm (4–6 in)
Spacing	6 cm (2 in) centre to centre
Sun	Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none
Cold hardiness	About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F)
Flowering	about 6–9 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks
Days to maturity	About 50 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Low
Edible	Yes: roots, leaves
Common in gardens of	🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India

Is Radish toxic?

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

Radish is non-toxic to people and pets.

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 Radish

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 Radish

How far apart should I plant Radish?: About 6 cm (2 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 cm (4–6 in).
Does Radish need full sun?: Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Radish need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Radish?: It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Radish flower?: About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.
Is Radish 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. Radish is non-toxic to people and pets.
What grows well with Radish?: 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).

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Quick crop; becomes woody and bolts in heat.

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
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
Collard greens Brassica oleracea var. viridis