Purple Radish Microgreen Seeds

Purple Radish is a fast-growing microgreen with crisp stems, rich purple-burgundy colouring and a fresh peppery radish flavour. It requires no pre-soaking and is generally ready to harvest in approximately 8–10 days.

What You Need

• Purple Radish Microgreen Seeds
• A shallow tray with drainage holes
• A solid lower tray for bottom watering
• Coco coir, fine seed-raising mix or another suitable microgreen growing medium
• Clean drinking-quality water
• Fine mist sprayer
• A second tray or suitable blackout cover
• Bright natural light or suitable grow lights
• Clean scissors or a sharp harvesting knife

Seed Rate

For a standard 25 × 50cm microgreen tray, use approximately:

24–30g dry seed per tray

Spread the seed evenly across the growing surface, aiming for dense coverage without thick piles or heavily overlapping patches.

Pre-Soak

No pre-soaking required.

Sow Purple Radish seed dry directly onto the prepared growing medium.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Clean and thoroughly rinse trays, covers and growing tools.
2. Add approximately 2–3cm of coco coir, fine seed-raising mix or another suitable growing medium.
3. Moisten the medium evenly and allow excess water to drain.
4. Spread approximately 24–30g of dry seed evenly across the surface.
5. Gently press the seed into contact with the medium.
6. Mist lightly with clean drinking-quality water.
7. Cover with another tray or suitable blackout cover.
8. Keep covered for approximately 2–3 days.
9. Remove the cover once most seedlings are established and pushing upward.
10. Move the tray into bright indirect natural light or beneath suitable grow lights.
11. Maintain good airflow.
12. Bottom water once roots are established.
13. Harvest at approximately 8–10 days while the stems and leaves remain crisp and tender.

Blackout

Keep the tray covered for approximately:

2–3 days

Light tray pressure can help maintain good seed-to-medium contact, but heavy weighting is unnecessary.

Remove the cover once the majority of seedlings are established and beginning to push upward.

For more information, see Microgreen Blackout Explained.

Germination

Expect germination in approximately:

2–5 days

Purple Radish normally germinates quickly under suitable conditions.

Maintain consistent moisture without leaving the growing medium permanently saturated.

Temperature

Aim for approximately:

18–24°C

Moderate temperatures encourage rapid, compact growth.

Light & Colour Development

Once uncovered, provide bright indirect natural light or suitable grow lights.

Good light helps develop:

• rich burgundy-purple colouring;
• compact stems;
• strong foliage; and
• an even canopy.

Some naturally greener seedlings may occur within the crop. This is normal and does not indicate a growing problem.

Watering

During early germination, mist gently if required.

Once roots establish, bottom watering is preferable.

For detailed guidance, see How to Water Microgreens: Misting vs Bottom Watering.

Keep the growing medium consistently moist without leaving standing water beneath the tray.

Crop Characteristics

Purple Radish microgreens typically develop:

• burgundy, purple and violet-toned foliage;
• crisp pale-to-purple stems;
• upright growth;
• a fresh peppery radish flavour; and
• occasional naturally greener seedlings.

For a bright green radish microgreen with a similar peppery flavour, see Daikon Radish Microgreen Seeds.

Harvest & Storage

Harvest approximately:

8–10 days from sowing

The crop is generally ready when:

• cotyledons are fully open;
• purple-burgundy colour is well developed;
• stems are crisp and upright;
• shoots are approximately 5–8cm tall; and
• the characteristic peppery flavour has developed.

The earliest true leaves may just be beginning to appear, depending on your preferred harvest stage.

Cut cleanly just above the growing medium using clean scissors or a sharp harvesting knife.

For more detailed guidance, see How to Harvest & Store Microgreens.

Refrigerate promptly in a clean container. If washed before refrigeration, drain and dry thoroughly first.

Root Hairs vs Mould

Purple Radish can develop conspicuous white root hairs that are sometimes mistaken for mould.

Root hairs generally:

• grow directly around individual roots;
• appear relatively evenly; and
• become much less noticeable immediately after watering.

Mould is more likely to:

• spread irregularly between seedlings;
• form web-like patches;
• persist after watering; or
• occur with slime, discolouration or unpleasant smells.

If you are uncertain, see Mould vs Root Hairs on Sprouts & Microgreens.

Discard crops showing obvious signs of spoilage.

Growing Purple Radish as Sprouts

The same seed can also be grown as sprouts, but the method is different.

Sprouts are generally grown without a growing medium and harvested with the young root, stem and seed, while microgreens are grown on a medium under light and cut above the growing surface.

Use dedicated sprouting instructions rather than this tray-growing method when producing sprouts.

Growing Purple Radish to Maturity

Purple Radish can also be grown through to mature plants.

For mature growing:

1. Direct sow into prepared, well-drained soil.
2. Sow approximately 5–10mm deep.
3. Thin seedlings to approximately 5–10cm apart.
4. Grow in full sun.
5. Maintain consistent moisture.
6. Harvest roots once they reach the preferred size.

Clean Growing / Food Safety

Use clean trays, fresh growing medium, drinking-quality water and clean harvesting equipment.

Maintain good drainage and airflow, and discard crops showing mould, slime, decay, abnormal discolouration or unpleasant smells.

Seed Storage

Store unused Purple Radish seed sealed in a cool, dry and dark place away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.

For longer-term storage, refrigeration can help maintain seed viability. Keep refrigerated seed sealed while it returns to room temperature before opening to reduce condensation.