White Icicle radish freshly pulled in a sunny garden

How to Grow White Icicle Radishes From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

White Icicle is a long, slender heirloom radish with tapered pure-white roots and crisp, mild flesh. Reaching 4 to 6 inches long, it looks like a small icicle and offers a gentle, slightly sweet bite. It matures in about 28 to 30 days and tolerates warmth a little better than round types, holding quality longer in the row. Its striking shape makes it a favorite for fresh eating and pickling.

This is the quick guide to White Icicle. 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 White Icicle seeds half an inch deep and one inch apart in deep, loose, cool soil so the long roots can grow straight. Thin seedlings to about 2 to 3 inches apart and keep the soil evenly moist. Harvest the tapered white roots at 28 to 30 days, once they reach 4 to 6 inches long.

Best tip

White Icicle's long roots need deep, loose, stone-free soil to grow straight and smooth, so prepare the bed well before sowing. It tolerates a little more warmth than round radishes but is still best in cool spring and fall weather. Keep the soil evenly moist for tender, mild roots, and harvest at 4 to 6 inches before the flesh turns pithy.

At a glance

Botanical nameRaphanus sativus

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 maturity28 to 30 days

Height8 to 12 inches (tops)

Spacing1 inch, then thin to 2 to 6 inches apart

WaterEven and consistent; keep soil evenly moist

Uses

White Icicle's elegant, tapered roots are as useful as they are pretty. Slice them into salads, cut them into sticks for dips and hummus, or layer them on sandwiches for crisp, mild crunch. Their gentle, slightly sweet flavor pickles wonderfully, and they hold their shape well in quick ferments. Try them lightly roasted to bring out a soft sweetness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does White Icicle radish take to grow?

White Icicle matures in about 28 to 30 days from sowing. It holds its quality in the ground a bit longer than round radishes.

What does a White Icicle radish look like and taste like?

It forms long, tapered, pure-white roots 4 to 6 inches long with crisp flesh. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, with a gentle peppery finish.

What is White Icicle radish best used for?

Its long shape is lovely sliced into salads or cut into sticks for dipping. It pickles well and adds a crisp, mild bite to sandwiches and platters.

Any tips for growing White Icicle radish?

Because the roots grow long, sow in deep, loose, stone-free soil so they can taper straight down. Thin to about 2 to 3 inches apart, keep the soil moist, and harvest at 4 to 6 inches long.

Ready to grow your own? White Icicle seeds give you long, crisp, mild white radishes in about a month. For the full step-by-step, see our complete radish growing guide linked at the top of this page.

White Icicle Radish Seeds – Non-GMO HeirloomHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom White Icicle radish — long, tapered white roots, tender and mildly pungent.

Price$4.99

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Want more radishes? These value packs pair White Icicle 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.