Heirloom

Radish, Daikon

Raphanus sativus var. longipnnatus

Mild radish flavor. One tablespoon of seed yields approx. 1-2 cups of sprouts. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella.

Harvest

2-5d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Indoor

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Harvest

Start Indoors

Harvest

Showing dates for Radish, Daikon in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 microgreen →

Zone Map

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Radish, Daikon · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SoilCoconut coir and perlite blend, or commercial microgreen growing medium

WaterKeep consistently moist via daily misting; avoid waterlogging

SeasonIndoor

FlavorMild, subtle radish flavor with gentle peppery notes and fresh, tender crispness; noticeably less pungent than full-size daikon roots

ColorBright green

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 2	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 11	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 12	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 13	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 3	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 4	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 5	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 6	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 7	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 8	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 9	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 10	January – December	—	—	January – December

Succession Planting

Daikon radish microgreens are built for staggered production — each tray turns around in 2-5 days, so seeding a new tray every 2-3 days keeps a continuous cut going without any real gap. The simplest system: start the next tray the morning you harvest the current one. Since this is a year-round indoor crop, there's no seasonal cutoff to plan around. The only real throttle is rack space and how many ounces of daikon shoots your CSA share or kitchen can actually move in a week.

Complete Growing Guide

Mild radish flavor. One tablespoon of seed yields approx. 1-2 cups of sprouts. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Radish, Daikon is 2–5 to maturity, open pollinated. Notable features: Organic Seeds, Plants, and Supplies, Hydroponic Performer.

Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: RAF-an-us raf-an-IS-trum sa-TEE-vus. Spread: RAF-an-us raf-an-IS-trum sa-TEE-vus. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Ready for harvest in 2-5 days from sowing or transplant. Harvest at peak ripeness for best flavor and storage life. Pick regularly to encourage continued production where applicable.

Storage & Preservation

Harvest daikon microgreens at 2–5 days and store immediately in a sealed container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Refrigerate at 35–40°F with 85–95% humidity; they'll keep fresh for 5–7 days, though peak tenderness and peppery flavor fade after 3 days. For longer storage, freeze on a tray then transfer to freezer bags—use within two months for best texture in cooked dishes. Drying concentrates their sharp, mustard-like bite; spread thinly on a screen at low heat (95–105°F) for 8–12 hours. Daikon microgreens are particularly prone to bolting and deteriorating once stems yellow, so consume or preserve within the window immediately after harvest rather than holding them refrigerated. For fermentation, submerge fresh shoots in a 2–3% brine for one week at room temperature, which mellows their heat while adding probiotic benefits.

History & Origin

Radish, Daikon is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Mediterranean

Advantages

+Organic-certified seed
+Easy to grow — beginner-friendly
+Quick harvest — ready in about 2-5 days
+Wide hardiness — grows in USDA zones 2-11

Companion Plants

For microgreen trays, companions are really about what you're running side-by-side on the same rack. Daikon radish pairs well with lettuce, arugula, spinach, and mustard greens — all share similar moisture needs and none release allelopathic compounds that suppress germination at close range. In our zone 7 Georgia grow rooms, daikon turns around in 2-5 days, so scheduling it next to similarly fast crops like pea shoots keeps rotation clean. Keep sunflower off the same tray entirely — the hull hulls carry allelopathic residue — and fennel has a documented antagonism toward brassicas, which daikon is.

Plant Together

Lettuce

Similar growing conditions and harvest timing, doesn't compete for space

Spinach

Compatible growth rates and light requirements for microgreen production

Arugula

Both are brassicas with similar cultivation needs and pest resistance

Pea Shoots

Nitrogen-fixing properties benefit radish growth, complementary root depths

Chives

Natural pest deterrent, helps repel aphids and flea beetles

Cilantro

Similar growing conditions, attracts beneficial insects when mature

Kale

Fellow brassica with compatible growing requirements and timing

Mustard Greens

Same family with similar pest resistance and growing conditions

Keep Apart

Sunflower

Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of small seedlings

Fennel

Strong allelopathic effects that stunt growth of most other plants

Tomato

Heavy nutrient demands compete with delicate microgreen development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

16kcal(1%)

Protein

0.68g(1%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

3.4g(1%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

14.8mg(16%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

1.3mcg(1%)

Iron

0.34mg(2%)

Calcium

25mg(2%)

Potassium

233mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169276)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Diseases

Damping-off (prevent with proper air circulation and moisture control), mold (reduce via humidity management and air flow)

Troubleshooting Radish, Daikon

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White or gray fuzzy mold on seeds or soil surface within the first 2 days of germination

Likely Causes

Excess moisture sitting on seeds or growing medium — overwatering or misting too heavily
Poor air circulation in a sealed or enclosed tray

What to Do

1.Back off misting to once daily and make sure the medium is damp, not soaked
2.Remove the humidity dome (if using one) as soon as sprouts emerge — usually by day 2
3.Point a small fan on low toward the tray for 1-2 hours a day to keep air moving

Seeds fail to germinate or germination is sparse after 48 hours

Likely Causes

Seeds pressed too loosely — daikon microgreen seeds need firm contact with moist medium to trigger germination
Old or poorly stored seed stock with low viability
Growing medium too dry during the critical first 24-48 hours

What to Do

1.Spread seeds in a single dense layer on moistened medium and press down firmly with a second tray — no need to bury them
2.Run a quick viability check: place 10 seeds between damp paper towels at room temperature and count sprouts at 48 hours; fewer than 7 means get new seed
3.Mist immediately after sowing and stack a second tray on top to hold humidity until you see tails

Stems stretched long and pale, flopping over by day 4-5

Likely Causes

Insufficient light — daikon microgreens need bright light once the blackout period ends, typically after day 2
Blackout phase extended past 2 days, causing etiolation

What to Do

1.Move trays to within 2-3 inches of a grow light as soon as you see the first green tips emerging
2.Cap the covered blackout phase at 2 days for daikon — they germinate fast and turn light-hungry early
3.Run grow lights 12-16 hours per day; daikon microgreens don't need a dark rest cycle at this stage

Stems pinch thin and collapse at the soil line, spreading tray-wide within a day

Likely Causes

Damping-off fungi (Pythium or Rhizoctonia) — both thrive in warm, wet, still air
Reusing trays that weren't sanitized between grows

What to Do

1.Sanitize trays between every grow with a diluted 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (1 part H2O2 to 3 parts water) and let them dry fully before reuse
2.Cut misting frequency immediately and get air moving — Pythium spreads fast once established, so don't wait a day to act
3.Harvest whatever looks healthy right away; at 2-5 days to maturity, cutting a tray early beats watching the whole thing go

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow daikon radish microgreens?▼

Daikon microgreens are harvestable in just 2-5 days, making them one of the fastest edible microgreens available. Most growers harvest at day 4-5 when first true leaves are fully expanded and stems reach 1-2 inches tall. Temperature affects speed: cooler conditions (60-65°F) yield slower, more flavorful growth, while warmer temperatures (70°F+) accelerate development but may reduce complexity. Germination typically begins within 24-48 hours of sowing.

Are daikon microgreens good for beginners?▼

Yes—daikon microgreens are ideal for beginners due to their high germination rates, forgiving nature, and minimal equipment needs. A basic propagation tray, microgreen growing medium, and misting bottle are sufficient. The short 2-5 day cycle provides quick feedback on technique, allowing rapid iteration and learning. Most common failures (overwatering, insufficient light) are easily corrected in the next crop. The documented food safety of Johnny's seeds adds beginner confidence.

Can you grow daikon microgreens in small spaces or apartments?▼

Daikon microgreens are perfect for small-space gardening. A single 10x20-inch propagation tray produces 1-2 cups of mature microgreens and requires only a windowsill or small grow light setup. Stacking multiple trays vertically with shelving maximizes output in minimal footprint. Indoor growing means no outdoor space needed, and the consistent 2-5 day harvest cycle allows continuous production rotation. Even apartment dwellers with a single shelf can reliably produce fresh microgreens.

What do daikon microgreens taste like?▼

Daikon microgreens deliver a mild, subtle radish flavor—gentle peppery notes without the sharp bite of traditional red radish varieties. The flavor is fresh, slightly sweet, and tender with a crisp texture. This mildness makes daikon microgreens versatile for culinary use; they enhance Asian soups, salads, and grain bowls without overwhelming other flavors, and pair beautifully with creamy dressings, avocado, and delicate fish preparations.

How much seed do I need to grow daikon microgreens?▼

One tablespoon of daikon seed yields approximately 1-2 cups of harvested microgreens using a standard 10x20-inch propagation tray. This generous yield from minimal seed makes daikon economical for home production. Seed is sown densely across the entire growing surface to maximize yield per tray. A single packet of microgreen seed (typically 1-2 ounces) provides multiple harvests, making the per-serving cost very low.