What hardiness zones is Raphanus sativus 'Daikon' suitable for?

Raphanus sativus 'Daikon' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Raphanus sativus 'Daikon'?

Raphanus sativus 'Daikon' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Raphanus sativus 'Daikon' need?

Raphanus sativus 'Daikon' has Medium water needs.

Vegetables

Raphanus sativus 'Daikon'

Daikon Radish

Brassicaceae

Cultivar group of East Asian origin (species native to Mediterranean/western Asia)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width8-12 inches (20-30 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 9

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Overview

Raphanus sativus 'Daikon' is a large-rooted annual radish in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) reaching 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) of above-ground foliage with an 8–12 inch (20–30 cm) spread. The root is the primary feature: a long, white, cylindrical to tapered root 8–18 inches (20–45 cm) long and 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) in diameter, with smooth white skin and crisp white flesh. Flavor is milder and less pungent than spring radishes, with a juicy, slightly sweet character. Leaves are large, pinnately lobed, rough-hairy, 8–14 inches (20–35 cm) long. Maturity is 50–70 days from direct sowing — significantly longer than spring radishes (22–28 days). Best grown as a fall crop: late summer sowing (August–September) avoids the bolting triggered by long days and produces the largest, mildest roots as temperatures cool. The large taproot penetrates and loosens compacted soil to 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) depth, making daikon a standard "biodrilling" cover crop for improving soil structure. Spring-sown daikon bolts rapidly before roots develop fully.

Native Range

The species Raphanus sativus is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. The daikon group (R. sativus var. longipinnatus) was developed in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) over thousands of years. 'Daikon' encompasses multiple cultivar types; 'Miyashige' and 'Minowase' are among the most common.

Suggested Uses

Planted in vegetable gardens and as a soil-building cover crop. Eaten raw (grated in salads, as sashimi garnish), pickled (takuan), cooked in soups (oden), stir-fried, or braised. The large root is a staple in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine. As a cover crop, the deep taproot breaks compacted soil layers (biodrilling), scavenges nutrients from depth, and decomposes over winter to leave soil channels that improve drainage and root penetration for the following crop. The three-radish comparison ('Cherry Belle' globe, 'French Breakfast' elongated, 'Daikon' large white) is a cultivar diversity exercise.

How to Identify

Distinguished from spring radishes ('Cherry Belle', 'French Breakfast') by the large white cylindrical root (versus small red globe or elongated red), the longer maturity (50–70 days versus 22–28), and the larger, more pinnately lobed foliage. Distinguished from turnip (Brassica rapa) by the radish-type pungency (versus milder brassica flavor) and the smooth white root skin (versus rougher turnip skin). The long white cylindrical root is immediately diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Bolts rapidly in response to long days (14+ hours) and warm temperatures. Spring-sown daikon frequently bolts before roots develop. Fall-sown crops (August–September) mature in shortening days without bolting. Flowers are four-petaled, white to pale lavender, in terminal racemes. Open-pollinated; crosses with all other Raphanus sativus.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale lavender

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green, pinnately lobed, rough-hairy, large (8-14 inches / 20-35 cm long)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.8 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandsilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow seeds 0.5 inch (1 cm) deep in late summer (August–September in the Pacific Northwest) for fall harvest, spacing 6 inches (15 cm) apart in rows 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Deep, loose, stone-free soil produces the straightest roots; raised beds with 18+ inches (45+ cm) of loose soil are recommended. Consistent moisture prevents cracking and pithiness. Harvest at 50–70 days when roots are 8–14 inches (20–35 cm) long and 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) in diameter. Roots tolerate light frost and sweeten after cold exposure. In cover crop use, broadcast sow at 5–8 lb/acre in late summer and leave roots to winter-kill and decompose in place, creating soil channels.

Pruning

No pruning applicable. Harvest entire plants by pulling or loosening soil alongside the root. In cover crop use, foliage winter-kills and roots decompose in place — no removal needed.

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

Late summer (August-September) for fall harvest; spring sowing bolts quickly

Days to Maturity

50–70 days

Plant Spacing

6 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

lettuce

spinach

pea

Avoid Planting With

other brassicas in close succession