Botanical Interests
Rat's Tail Radish Seeds
Rat's Tail Radish Seeds
Free shipping on orders over $79
Couldn't load pickup availability
Product Details
Product Details
Instead of edible roots, this interesting radish of prehistoric origin is grown for the abundant, slender seed pods that grow above ground on the leafy, 2'–5' plants. The botanical name translates as, "radish with a tail", and it is also called aerial radish or spicy bean. The pods are crisp and tender with a more subtle spiciness than a typical root radish. Makes an interesting addition to vegetable trays, and is delicious pickled and in curries and stir-fry dishes. Plants continue to produce even in hot weather, making them a good summer replacement for cool-weather root radishes.
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 40–50 days
Family: Brassicaceae
Native: Unknown
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Dimensions: 2'–5' tall, 12" wide
Variety Info: Slender, green 3"–12" pods with a mildly spicy flavor similar to root radishes. Pods will grow to 12", but best enjoyed at 3"–6". Rat's Tail radish is closely related to the common root radish, but it is an aerial radish that does not produce an edible root. Instead, it produces edible seed pods above ground. It can be grown in the spring, but also during the summer, as it withstands heat well. 'Rat's Tail' will not produce pods when temperatures fall below 45°F.
Attributes: Frost Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is above 40°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 1 to 2 weeks until mid-summer.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended; roots sensitive to disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ½"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 6"–12"
Row Spacing: 24"
Thinning: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 6"–12"
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest pods when they are 3"–6" long. Harvest regularly to keep plants producing pods. Larger pods become hard, tough and bitter tasting so they should be picked and discarded to boost production of new pods.
- Edward T.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsAug 11, 20245 Stars
Incredible radish-like flavor with beautiful flowers! I bought this as a more heat-tolerant replacement to traditional in-ground radishes and it will be a garden staple for years to come. The pods are best picked when under three inches or else they get a bit stringy.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert - Carisa H.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 starsDec 31, 2025Spicy Green Bean is Yummy
This was my first year growing Rat Tail's, and it was generally a good experience. These plants do tend to take up a lot of room in the garden, not like your ordinary radish plants which stay smaller. I recommend harvesting the pods when they are smaller, as the large pods are very tough and not fit to eat. The pods are best when used in a stir fry or pickled, but you can also chop them and put them in soup.
For the amount of pods I got off this late crop of radishes, the plants took up a disproportionate amount of room. If I had been maximizing my fall garden for productivity, this would have been an issue. I recommend keeping that in mind if you intend to grow these.
Which best describes you as a gardener? ProfessionalEGEpic GardeningJan 3, 2026Hey Carisa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such detailed feedback about your first experience growing our Rat's Tail Radish Seeds! We're thrilled to hear it was generally a good experience for you. Your insights about harvesting the pods when they're smaller and how versatile they are in stir fries, pickled, or chopped in soup are incredibly helpful for other gardeners considering this unique variety!
You make such a great point about the space these plants need compared to regular radishes - that's definitely something to keep in mind when planning garden layouts, especially for fall crops. We really appreciate you sharing both the positives and the practical considerations. This kind of honest feedback helps fellow gardeners make the best choices for their growing spaces.
Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your growing experience with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Joyce V.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 starsJul 28, 20244 Stars
Not growing very well but it’s been terribly hot.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert - Sandra G.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsJun 15, 20235 Stars
I’m am so excited to plant the Rat Tail radishes. I am patiently waiting for the seedlings to emerge.
- Melissa E.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 9, 20225 Stars
Yes I did complain about the few seeds and y'all immediately sent another package and I am a happy gardener now. Thank You Thank You. I must say that all of the original 10 seeds germinated REALLY quickly and are growing nicely through light frosts. I will be planting more in January or February. I can do that in Central Texas.
