Raphanus sativus

Raphanus sativus (rábano) — una de las hortalizas cultivadas más antiguas, desde los rápidos rabanitos de ensalada hasta el suave mooli de invierno. El hogar botánico de nuestra colección de rábanos.

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Raphanus sativus — the radish

Raphanus sativus is the botanical name for the radish, a fast, hardy member of the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) grown for its crisp, peppery root. It is the species behind our whole radish range within the root vegetable collection.

History & origin

The radish is one of humanity's oldest cultivated vegetables, thought to have been domesticated in Southeast or Central Asia and grown across China and the Mediterranean for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians reportedly fed radishes to the workers who built the pyramids, and Greek and Roman writers praised the root long before it reached northern Europe. Over the centuries growers selected an enormous range, from tiny salad globes to the giant daikon and mooli of East Asia.

Its name reflects that long history: Raphanus comes from the Greek for “quickly appearing,” a nod to how fast the seedlings emerge, while sativus simply means “cultivated.”

Botanical characteristics

Radishes form a swollen root that can be round or long, and red, pink, white, purple, black or bicoloured depending on type. Quick summer radishes mature in as little as three to four weeks, while winter and daikon types grow larger, milder and store well. Left to flower, the plant sends up sprays of pale blooms followed by edible seed pods. Their speed makes radishes a star among our fast-growing vegetables, sitting alongside other roots like carrots and beetroot.

Growing Raphanus sativus from seed

Sow radishes direct and thinly where they are to grow, in moist, fertile soil, and keep them growing fast — checked, dry plants turn woody and hot. Summer types are perfect for slipping between slower crops as a catch crop, while winter radishes are sown from midsummer for autumn and winter use. Steady water is the secret to crisp, mild roots; our vegetable sowing calendar shows the sowing windows and our watering guide keeps them tender.

Ready to grow radishes? Browse the varieties or read up first.

Related categories: Radish · Root Vegetables · Carrot · Beetroot · Fast-Growing Veg

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Qué es Raphanus sativus?
Es el nombre botánico del rábano, una raíz de crecimiento rápido perteneciente a la familia de las coles.

¿De dónde proceden los rábanos?
De Asia, y se han cultivado durante miles de años en Egipto, Grecia, Roma y China.

¿Qué significa su nombre?
Raphanus procede del griego para “de aparición rápida” y sativus significa “cultivado”.

¿Qué tan rápido crecen los rábanos?
Las variedades de ensalada de verano pueden estar listas en tan solo tres o cuatro semanas.

¿Cómo se cultivan?
Siembra directamente y en ralo, mantén el suelo húmedo y cultívalos rápido para obtener raíces crujientes y suaves.