How to grow Radish Sprouts in Australia
Radish sprouts and microgreens are radish seedlings grown in a jar or shallow tray and eaten within a week, with a fresh, peppery bite. They grow indoors all year in every part of Australia, need no garden, and are ready in days. Good hygiene matters, as all raw sprouts carry a food safety risk.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Radish Sprouts in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | All year | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | All year | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | All year | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | All year | |
| Adelaide & SA | All year | |
| Perth & WA | All year | |
| Tasmania | All year | |
| Canberra & ACT | All year | |
| North Queensland | All year | |
| Darwin & Top End | All year |
Not to be confused with: Radish, the same plant grown in the garden for its roots.
Where to plant
Grow radish sprouts indoors at room temperature in a sprouting jar or a shallow tray, in a bright spot out of direct sun. Sprouts need only water; microgreens can be grown on a thin layer of moist potting mix or a sprouting mat and are cut once the first leaves open.
Because they are grown inside, radish sprouts can be grown all year in every region, from Hobart to Darwin. In hot weather, keep them somewhere cool and rinse more often.
Choosing a variety
Buy seed sold for sprouting or microgreens, which is untreated and intended for eating. Do not sprout ordinary garden seed, which may be coated with fungicide.
- Daikon radish gives mild, peppery sprouts, some with pink stems.
- China Rose radish has vivid pink stems and a spicier taste.
How to sprout
- Wash your hands, the jar or tray and any mesh lid well.
- Soak about a tablespoon of seed in clean, cool water for a few hours, then drain.
- Rinse and drain the seeds two or three times a day with clean water, tipping the jar at an angle so all excess water runs out. Sprouts should stay moist but never sit in water.
- For microgreens, scatter soaked seed thickly over moist potting mix or a sprouting mat in a tray, mist daily and keep in indirect light.
- Do not overfill the jar; crowded sprouts sour quickly.
Watering and feeding
Rinse with clean, cool drinking water at least twice a day and drain thoroughly. Good drainage and airflow stop the sprouts turning slimy or smelling sour.
No feeding is needed. The seed carries all the energy the sprouts need.
Harvesting
Sprouts are ready in about four to six days, when the shoots are a few centimetres long. Microgreens are ready in about a week or so, when the first seed leaves have opened. Snip microgreens at the base with clean scissors.
Give sprouts a final rinse, drain them very well and keep them in a clean, covered container in the fridge. Use them within two to three days, and throw away any that look slimy or smell off.
Using it
Add radish sprouts and microgreens to sandwiches, salads, wraps, tacos and noodle dishes for a peppery crunch.
Raw sprouts can carry harmful bacteria, as the warm, moist conditions that grow sprouts also suit bacteria. Food safety authorities advise people at higher risk, such as pregnant women, older people and anyone with a weakened immune system, to eat sprouts only when thoroughly cooked.
Pests and diseases
With a crop this quick, problems come from too much water, warmth and poor hygiene rather than from pests.
Radish Sprouts is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Damping off Seedlings collapse at the base, or fuzzy mould and a sour smell develop. Rinse and drain well, sow less thickly, improve airflow and start again with clean equipment.
Common questions
How long do radish sprouts take to grow?
Sprouts are ready in about four to six days, and microgreens in about a week or so, once the first leaves open.
Why are my sprouts slimy or smelly?
They are too wet or too warm, or the jar is overfilled. Rinse and drain thoroughly two or three times a day, keep them at room temperature out of the sun, and discard any batch that smells off.
Are homegrown sprouts safe to eat?
Raw sprouts can carry harmful bacteria. Use seed sold for sprouting, clean equipment and clean water, keep them refrigerated once ready and eat within a few days. People at higher risk, including pregnant women, older people and anyone with weakened immunity, should eat sprouts only when thoroughly cooked.
Can I sprout ordinary radish seed from a garden packet?
It is safest not to. Garden seed may be treated with fungicide. Buy seed sold specifically for sprouting or microgreens.
What is the difference between sprouts and microgreens?
Sprouts are eaten whole, seed and root included, after a few days in a jar. Microgreens are grown on mix or a mat in light for a week or more and the shoots are cut above the base.
Sources we checked: Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Food safety for vulnerable populations (raw seed sprouts); Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Pathogenic E. coli (sprouted seeds as a higher-risk food).