Round Black Spanish radish freshly pulled in a sunny garden

How to Grow Round Black Spanish Radishes From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Round Black Spanish is an old-world heirloom winter radish with rough black skin and firm, pungent, snow-white flesh. One of the oldest radishes in cultivation, it is a hardy fall and winter storage type with a bold, spicy bite. It matures in about 55 days from a late-summer sowing and stores for months in a cool cellar. Its dramatic black-and-white contrast and long keeping quality make it a classic winter staple.

Ready to grow your own? Shop Radish Round Black Spanish Seeds from Organo Republic.

This is the quick guide to Round Black Spanish. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting radishes, see our complete guide to growing radishes from seed.

Quick start

Direct-sow Round Black Spanish seeds about half an inch deep in deep, loose soil in late summer for a fall crop. Thin seedlings to about 4 to 6 inches apart and keep the soil evenly moist. Harvest the black-skinned roots in about 55 days, before hard frost, then store them in a cool, humid cellar.

Best tip

Round Black Spanish is a hardy winter storage radish, so sow it in late summer for a fall harvest, not in spring. Give it deep, loose soil and thin well so the big roots develop. Its strong, pungent heat is characteristic; roasting or braising mellows it. Harvest before hard frost, and the thick black skin lets these roots keep for months in a cool cellar.

At a glance

Botanical nameRaphanus sativus var. niger

Plant typeCool-season root vegetable (annual)

USDA zones2 to 11 (grown as a cool-season annual)

SunFull sun to part shade (6+ hours)

Days to maturityabout 55 days

Height10 to 14 inches (tops)

Spacing1 inch, then thin to 2 to 6 inches apart

WaterEven and consistent; keep soil evenly moist

Uses

Round Black Spanish is a bold winter radish for hearty cooking. Grate its firm white flesh into pungent slaws and salads, or pickle it for a spicy condiment. Roasting and braising tame the heat into a savory, turnip-like sweetness that suits soups and stews. Thanks to its thick skin it stores for months, giving you fresh, peppery crunch all winter long.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Round Black Spanish radish take to grow?

It is a winter radish needing about 55 days. Sow in late summer so it matures in cool fall weather, and expect a firmer, hotter root than salad types.

What does a Round Black Spanish radish look like and taste like?

It forms round roots about 3 to 4 inches across with rough black skin and firm, snow-white flesh. The flavor is strong, pungent, and peppery, the hottest of the common radishes.

What is Round Black Spanish radish best used for?

Its firm flesh and bold heat are great grated into slaws, pickled, or roasted and braised, where the heat mellows. As a storage radish it keeps for months.

Any tips for growing Round Black Spanish radish?

Sow in late summer in deep, loose soil, thin to about 4 to 6 inches apart, and keep evenly moist. Harvest before hard frost and store the roots in a cool, humid cellar for winter.

Ready to grow your own? Round Black Spanish seeds give you a hardy, pungent winter radish that stores for months. For the full step-by-step, see our complete radish growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Round Black Spanish Radish Seeds – Non-GMO HeirloomHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Round Black Spanish radish — bold, spicy winter keeper with black skin.

Price$4.99

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Want more radishes? These value packs pair Round Black Spanish with other varieties:

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.