What hardiness zones is Raphanus sativus 'French Breakfast' suitable for?

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

What are the sun requirements for Raphanus sativus 'French Breakfast'?

Raphanus sativus 'French Breakfast' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Raphanus sativus 'French Breakfast' need?

Raphanus sativus 'French Breakfast' has Medium water needs.

Vegetables

Raphanus sativus 'French Breakfast'

French Breakfast Radish

Brassicaceae

Cultivar of French garden origin (species native to Mediterranean/western Asia)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height4-8 inches (10-20 cm)

Width3-6 inches (8-15 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

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Raphanus sativus 'French Breakfast' is a fast-maturing, elongated-root annual radish in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) reaching 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) tall with a 3–6 inch (8–15 cm) spread. This heirloom cultivar (pre-1879) produces an elongated cylindrical root 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long and 0.5–0.75 inch (1–2 cm) in diameter, scarlet-red on the upper two-thirds with a distinct white tip — the bicolored pattern is the cultivar diagnostic. Flesh is white, crisp, with a mild to moderately peppery flavor, milder than 'Cherry Belle' when harvested young. Leaves are medium green, oblong to spatulate, 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) long, rough-hairy. Maturity is 25–30 days from direct sowing. Bolts rapidly in heat above 75°F (24°C). Roots become pithy and intensely pungent if harvest is delayed beyond 1.5 inches (4 cm) length. The elongated shape and bicolored appearance distinguish it from globe radishes and from the large white daikon type.

Native Range

The species Raphanus sativus is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. 'French Breakfast' is a French heirloom cultivar documented since at least 1879, originally sold in Parisian markets as a breakfast table radish served with butter and salt.

Suggested Uses

Planted in salad gardens, vegetable gardens, containers (1+ gallon), and market gardens. The traditional French breakfast table radish — served halved with butter and salt. Eaten raw in salads, on tartines, or as crudité. The three-radish cultivar comparison ('Cherry Belle' globe, 'French Breakfast' elongated bicolor, 'Daikon' large white) is a cultivar diversity and root morphology exercise.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Cherry Belle' by the elongated cylindrical shape (versus globe), the scarlet-and-white bicolored pattern (versus uniform cherry-red), and the slightly longer maturity (25–30 versus 22–28 days). Distinguished from 'Daikon' by the small size (1–1.5 inches versus 8–18 inches), the red-and-white color (versus all white), and the faster maturity (25–30 versus 50–70 days). The bicolored scarlet-with-white-tip pattern is immediately diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 8"

Width/Spread3" - 6"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Bolts in response to heat and long days. Flowers are four-petaled (typical Brassicaceae cruciform), white to pale pink. Open-pollinated; crosses with other Raphanus sativus cultivars. For seed saving, isolation of 0.5 mile (0.8 km) is recommended.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink (if bolting)

Foliage Description

Medium green, oblong to spatulate, rough-hairy, with irregularly toothed margins

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 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 Range6.0 - 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, 3–5 weeks before the last frost, spacing 2 inches (5 cm) apart in rows 6 inches (15 cm) apart. Successive sowings every 7–10 days extend the harvest. Pause in summer; resume in September for fall harvest. Consistent moisture produces the crispest, mildest roots. Harvest at 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) length, 25–30 days after sowing. The traditional French serving is halved lengthwise with butter and fleur de sel. Container culture in 1+ gallon pots is feasible.

Pruning

No pruning applicable. Harvest entire plants by pulling. Thinnings are edible as microgreens.

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

3-5 weeks before last frost; successive sowings every 7-10 days through spring; resume in early fall

Days to Maturity

25–30 days

Plant Spacing

2 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

lettuce

spinach

pea

carrot

Avoid Planting With

hyssop

other brassicas in close succession