15 Types of Radishes to Grow in Your Garden

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Growing your own radishes at home has many benefits, both for your wallet and health.

You can save a lot of money by skipping that weekly trip to the grocery store to buy veggies that might not be fresh.

In addition, you can grow your own organic radishes without using chemicals or pesticides.

There are many different types of radishes available. Below are some of the best radishes for you to grow!

Table of Contents

1. ‘French Breakfast’

This heirloom variety hails from France. It started to gain notoriety in Paris, where it was first sold in markets in 1879.

After this, these radishes were brought to the United States and were listed in American seed catalogs in the 1880s.

This variety was also used in Northern England during the Levens Radish Festival.

‘French Breakfast’ radishes have oblong bodies with two-toned, thin, red and white skin. They also have edible, bright green leafy tops with a pepper-like taste.

These small to medium-sized radishes grow two to four inches long and are ready for harvest at 20 and 30 days.

What makes ‘French Breakfast’ radishes unique is their peppery, sweet, nutty, and earthy flavor.

white radish on top of the other vegetables

2. ‘White Icicle’

‘White Icicle’ radishes are native to Europe. This heirloom variety goes by many names, including Lady Fingers, White Transparent, Long White, White Italian, and White Naples.

Although they arrived in the United States in the late 19th century, they weren’t listed in American seed catalogs until the early 21st century.

You can recognize ‘White Icicles’ by their elongated and slender, carrot-like bodies, smooth white skin, and crispy white flesh that has a mild, spicy, and earthy flavor.

These radishes measure four to six inches long and are one inch thick. They usually mature between 27 to 30 days.

‘White Icicles’ are versatile radishes. You can use them as salad toppings, in sandwiches, or even eat them raw.

freshly harvested early scarlet globe radish on gardener's hand

3. ‘Early Scarlet Globe’

‘Early Scarlet Globe’ radishes have globular bodies with smooth and shiny crimson-red skin. They are native to Southern Europe and thrive in hardiness zones 1 to 11.

These small radishes measure half an inch to one inch long. They also have crunchy, white flesh with a mild and sweet flavor.

Growing ‘Early Scarlet Globe’ radishes is relatively easy. They can tolerate partial or full sun, but they need at least six hours of sunlight exposure.

With enough water, sunlight, and essential nutrients, the plants will grow two to three inches tall. After about three weeks, you can begin to harvest these radishes.

4. ‘German Giant’

These large and round radishes are an Amish heirloom variety that hails from Germany.

You can easily spot these radishes by their smooth, bright skin and crunchy, white flesh that tastes sweet and juicy.

‘German Giant’ radishes measure one to two inches long. They take around a month to mature and grow best in hardiness zones 2 to 12.

The plants can grow four to twelve inches tall and are three inches wide when mature.

Always provide ample space between each seed when growing them outdoors.

These radishes also need full sun exposure. However, heat and dry soil may stunt their growth, preventing the plants from producing bulbs.

Be sure to water these radishes frequently, especially in summer.

5. ‘Royal Purple’

Like their name suggests, ‘Royal Purple’ radishes have smooth, bright purple skin and round bodies. They have a mildly sweet flavor with a crispy texture.

This variety is easy to grow. The plants grow twelve to fourteen inches apart. They thrive under full sun and in well-maintained environments with few weeds.

This variety is highly resistant to pests and diseases that usually affect radishes. Hence, they are best for those who are just beginning to grow radishes.

The ‘Royal Purple’ radish is ready to harvest after about five weeks.

6. Daikon

Daikon radishes originated in East and Southeast Asia, particularly in Japan and China.

They go by many other names, such as winter radish, white radish, luobo, mooli, lo bak, Japanese radish, and Chinese radish.

You can recognize Daikon radishes by their plump, elongated, and carrot-like shape, white skin, and leafy green tops.

These radishes have crunchy white interiors that are sweet and slightly spicy. Some varieties may taste spicier and offer stronger flavors than others.

Daikon radishes are a popular ingredient in many Asian delicacies. In fact, they contain numerous health benefits, especially for pregnant women.

pile of cherry belle radish at the market

7. ‘Cherry Belle’

‘Cherry Belle’ radishes are small and round and have bright red skin. At a quick glance, they sometimes look like cherries!

In 1949, this variety was crowned as an award winner for All-American Selections.

‘Cherry Belle’ radishes measure one inch wide with leafy green tops that grow two to three inches long. They have a firm and crunchy consistency with a mild taste.

This variety is fairly easy to grow. The plants perform well in hardiness zones 1 to 11 and are capable of tolerating partial or full sun.

It takes around 20 to 30 days for these radishes to mature. However, this may take a little longer during fall and winter.

8. ‘Rudolf’

At a glance, the ‘Rudolf’ variety looks very similar to ‘Cherry Belle’ radishes. However, there are a few characteristics that distinguish them.

For instance, ‘Rudolf’ radishes are slightly smaller than ‘Cherry Belle’ radishes. They measure just one inch wide. These radishes’ leafy tops grow six to eight inches long.

The ‘Rudolf’ radish has bright red skin, a round body, and flavorful flesh. They are easy to grow and mature after 25 days.

‘Rudolf’ radishes grow well in partially shaded areas or under full sun. They thrive in hardiness zones 2 to 10 and prefer moist but well-drained soil.

9. ‘Bartender Mammoth’

‘Bartender Mammoth’ or Bartender Red Mammoth radishes are large radishes with elongated bodies and bright red shiny skin.

On average, these radishes can grow up to nine inches long with a diameter of one inch. They have crisp, pink flesh that offers a sweet, pungent, and spicy flavor.

This variety is great for warm climates. They grow well under full sun and mature after about a month.

You can use ‘Bartender Mammoth’ radishes in various recipes and salads, or you can even eat them raw.

bunch of different colors of easter egg radish

10. ‘Easter Egg’

Would you like to have some fun guessing what color of radishes you will get when picking them? If so, then you should grow ‘Easter Egg’ radishes!

These radishes have round and oval-shaped bodies that can be purple, pink, white, or red. They are categorized as spring radishes and grow two to four inches wide.

The ‘Easter Egg’ radish’s interior can also vary, coming in white, pink, and ivory. No matter what color these radishes are, they all have the same crunchy and firm interior with a mild, sweet, and peppery flavor.

‘Easter Egg’ radishes are considered fast growers. It only takes about a month for this variety to mature.

With their colorful appearance, you can use these radishes as garnishes to make your dishes look more appealing.

11. Black Spanish

The Black Spanish radish is one of the most unique varieties available. You may be surprised at its dark color!

These radishes come in different sizes. Whether they are small or large, all of them have the same black to dark brown coarse skin with white interior.

Black Spanish radishes can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt. They were considered sacred items with numerous benefits, both in ancient medicine and cooking.

In fact, Egyptian pharaohs ordered their workers to consume these radishes as energy supplements, especially during the construction of the pyramids.

As time passed, Black Spanish radishes were brought to other places and grown widely in Asia and Eastern Europe. Finally, they arrived in the United States in the early 1800s.

Black Spanish radishes are divided into two major varieties: Round Black Spanish and Long Black Spanish.

Round Black Spanish radishes measure three to four inches wide, whereas Long Black Spanish radishes measure seven to eight inches.

Both varieties have a spicy, pungent, earthy, and slightly bitter taste.

12. ‘White Hailstone’

‘White Hailstone’ radishes have white skin, a round shape, and crunchy and tender flesh. They have a mild flavor with sweet undertones.

The ‘White Hailstone’ is a small variety; you could grab and hold one of these radishes in the palm of your hand! They are similar in size to a golf ball.

‘White Hailstone’ radishes are fast-growing, taking 25 days to mature. They prefer soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral. They thrive in places with exposure to full sun.

These radishes are best grown during spring and fall.

whole and sliced matanghong or chinese radish on a marble table

13. Mantanghong

‘Mantanghong’ radishes are native to China. They are also known as watermelon radishes, Chinese radishes, labanos, Beauty Heart radishes, and alibanos.

These large radishes measure three inches in diameter and weigh up to one pound. They have dual-toned light green and white skin, globe-shaped bodies, and purplish-pink interiors.

Mantanghong radishes have a mild and sweet flesh with a crispy texture.

Due to their juicy content, these radishes are best served raw. However, you can also pickle or use them in different recipes.

You have to be patient when growing these radishes, as they take 65 to 70 days to mature.

Mantanghong radishes are tolerant to frost and cold weather. If you live in a cold regions, this variety could be good for you!

14. ‘Golden Helios’

Named after the sun god, Helios, these exotic radishes were first discovered in Czechoslovakia. They were then brought to the United States in the 1800s.

As they are considered a rare variety, you can only find them at specialty farms and select gardeners.

You can spot ‘Golden Helios’ radishes by their round bodies, bright yellowish-golden smooth skin, and green leafy tops. They usually grow one to two inches thick.

These radishes have a crunchy white interior with mild, sweet, and spicy undertones. Their upper leafy parts are also edible and have an earthy and spicy flavor.

This variety usually takes 30 to 35 days to mature.

15. ‘Dragon’s Tail’

‘Dragon’s Tail’ radishes are an Asian heirloom variety that don’t look like common domestic radishes. They have round, slender, and long bodies that give them a pencil-like appearance.

What truly makes these radishes unique is that they aren’t root vegetables that produce bulbs.

‘Dragon’s Tail’ radishes consist of green pods that turn purple when they mature.

However, the contents of their pods still have a similar taste to most radishes. The more they mature, the spicier these radishes will taste.

‘Dragon’s Tail’ radishes measure three to twelve inches. These radishes grow best under full sun and are ready for harvest after 50 days.

The plants produce white and pink flowers that can make your garden look more vibrant and colorful. Occasional pruning is also beneficial in promoting better flower growth.