Plum Purple

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Plum Purple radishes bloom with a jewel-like, deep plum-purple shoulder that fades to a crisp white tip, offering a bright, peppery snap and a clean, juicy bite.

At just 28 days, ‘Plum Purple’ forms smooth, globe-to-oval roots with a tender, fine-grained texture that stays pleasantly crisp. Ideal for fresh market-style salads and garnishes, these radishes also shine when sliced into vivid platters for quick, colorful flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 28 DaysHabit: Taproot

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	May 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	28
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

‘Plum Purple’ is a market radish—tender, finely textured, and built to stay crisp under dressing, giving you that sharp, juicy pop without going woody. Slice it paper-thin for platters or shave it cold; the purple shoulder stays visually punchy while the white tip delivers the cleaner peppery finish.

Best Uses

thin-slice salad radish for dressed greens (no wilting, stays crisp)
ice-cold crudités platter with flaky salt and citrus
quick pickles—sliced rounds that keep their jewel color

Flavor Profile

peppery bite with a bright radish snap fine-grained, tender crunch juicy, clean finish with mild lingering heat

Kitchen Pairings

butter sour cream lemon crème fraîche miso feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Brassicaceae radish (Raphanus sativus), and how do I control it?

Watch for flea beetles, which cause tiny holes in radish leaves and can severely stunt growth. Use floating row cover immediately after sowing and keep it on until harvest; if needed, apply an insecticidal soap directly on affected foliage early in the day. Also check for downy mildew/black rot symptoms (yellowing or dark lesions) and remove any badly infected plants to prevent spread.

How often should I water radish (Raphanus sativus) during the main growing phase for Purple radish?

Keep the soil evenly moist from emergence through root swelling—typically water about once daily in warm weather or whenever the top 1 inch starts to dry. Dry spells followed by heavy watering can cause cracking or a pithy, bitter root, so aim for steady moisture rather than “soak then skip.”

How can I tell when my Raphanus sativus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the root shoulder reaches the expected size for your seed packet (often around 28 days) and feels firm when gently tugged. If you wait until the roots get larger than the typical “tennis ball/marbled” size, they can become woody and hot-tasting quickly. Check one plant by pulling it—if the root is crisp and solid, harvest the rest the same day.