Microgreens
Radish Microgreens
A quick indoor crop harvested young, before root space becomes a limiting factor.
Raphanus sativus
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Photo: Teogenesis / CC BY-SA 4.0
At a glance
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Maintenance
- low
- Time to harvest
- 7–14 days · from-seed
- Water need
- moderate
- Growth habit
- dense seedling crop
- Indoor suitability
- excellent
- Support
- Usually not required
What this plant must have
These are minimum limits, not aspirational targets. Missing one can prevent healthy growth.
- Minimum direct light
- 0 hours
- Minimum container depth
- 4 cm (≈ 1.6 in)
- Minimum container volume
- 1 L (≈ 0.3 US gal)
- Active growth range
- 10–26 °C (≈ 50–78.8 °F)
- Frost behaviour
- sensitive
Conditions it prefers
These conditions improve performance, but there may be room to adapt within the hard limits above.
- Ideal direct light
- 1–3 hours
- Ideal temperature
- 13–23 °C (≈ 55.4–73.4 °F)
- Preferred depth
- 5–8 cm (≈ 2–3.1 in)
- Preferred volume
- 1–3 L (≈ 0.3–0.8 US gal)
- Drainage
- well drained
Overview
A quick indoor crop harvested young, before root space becomes a limiting factor.
What makes it practical
Sow untreated seed densely but in a single layer across a clean shallow tray.
What limits success
At least 0 hours of direct light; provide at least 4 cm of container depth and avoid treating the minimum as the preferred setup.
Getting started
Sow untreated seed densely but in a single layer across a clean shallow tray.
Before planting
Prepare a container with open drainage and enough volume for the plant's mature root system. The documented minimum is 1 litres.
Planting
Sow untreated seed densely but in a single layer across a clean shallow tray.
Position
Aim for 1–3 hours of direct light while watching for heat reflected from walls or glass.
Ongoing care
Keep the medium damp rather than saturated and provide useful light as soon as seedlings emerge.
Watering check
This crop's water need is moderate. Check the mix itself instead of watering by a fixed weekday schedule.
Harvesting
Cut above the medium after cotyledons open and before stems become tough.
Timing
The documented range is roughly 7–14 days from seed; temperature and cultivar can shift it.
Beginner mistakes
Standing water and poor airflow encourage mold that should not be confused with fine root hairs.
A useful reset
Change one condition at a time, then judge the newest growth rather than expecting damaged leaves to recover.
Troubleshooting context
Start with the visible symptom and rule out moisture, light, temperature, and root-room conflicts before assuming disease.
Relevant symptom
The launch troubleshooting library links this plant to fungus gnats as a useful first diagnostic path.
Frequently asked questions
- How much light and root room does radish microgreens need?
Radish Microgreens needs no direct sun, but it still needs bright indirect light to grow properly rather than a dark cupboard. It needs a container at least 4 cm deep holding about 1 litre. A 5–8 cm container with 1–3 litres is easier to keep evenly watered. Expect roughly 7–14 days from seed, which shifts with temperature and cultivar.
Editorial review:
Reviewed by NookHarvest Editorial Team
How we review adviceCorrections and questionsProblems and next steps
Explore microgreens
Microgreens
Set up the container
Container Gardening
Choose pots, mix, drainage, and plant combinations that make small-space care more forgiving.
Troubleshoot a likely symptom
Tiny Flies Are Hovering Around the Soil
Adult fungus gnats signal consistently moist organic mix; seedlings are more vulnerable than established plants.
My Seedlings Are Tall and Floppy
Long thin stems leaning toward light