How to Grow Purple Yam Labanos Purple King
Wikimedia Commons
Purple Yam Labanos Purple King
Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus
vegetablePurple King is a striking Asian radish variety with deep purple or violet skin and white or pale interior flesh. This long, slender root vegetable is commonly used in Asian cuisines and grows to 8-12 inches in length. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is more tender than standard daikon radishes when harvested young.
When should you plant Purple Yam Labanos Purple King in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Purple Yam Labanos Purple King timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Purple Yam Labanos Purple King
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Purple Yam Labanos Purple King
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Yam Labanos Purple King dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler seasons (spring and fall)
Sign up free to see if Purple Yam Labanos Purple King grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Purple Yam Labanos Purple King timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
7-14 daysSeeds sprout within 3-7 days; seedlings emerge with paired cotyledons and develop first true leaves
Keep soil moist and maintain warm conditions (65-75°F). Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 leaves to prevent overcrowding.
Root Development & Expansion
2-3 weeksPurple skin becomes deeper in color; root lengthens and thickens; shoulder of the radish becomes visible at soil surface
Reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive leaf growth. Ensure adequate potassium for color development. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent cracking.
Maturation
1-2 weeksRoot reaches 8-12 inches with firm texture; skin displays rich purple coloration; flavor becomes sweeter
Reduce watering slightly to concentrate flavors, but do not allow soil to dry completely. Monitor for readiness to harvest; roots can become woody if left too long.
Harvest-Ready
Harvest window: 1-2 weeksRadish is fully sized, purple skin is vibrant, and root is firm with slight give when pressed
Harvest promptly to prevent overmaturity and woodiness. Can be left in cool soil for extended harvest window if kept moist.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use row covers over young plants, apply neem oil, encourage predatory insects, use diatomaceous earth
-
Use floating row covers, apply beneficial nematodes to soil, practice crop rotation, use lime-sulfur dust
-
Hand-pick caterpillars, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), install row covers, encourage parasitic wasps
-
Spray with water to dislodge, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil, introduce ladybugs
-
Hand-pick, create copper barriers, apply slug bait, encourage ground beetles and toads
Uses
Fresh Slicing & Salads
CulinaryPurple King radishes are excellent sliced thin for salads, providing a crisp texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. The striking purple skin adds visual appeal to dishes. [source]
Asian Cooking & Stir-Fry
CulinaryCommonly used in Asian cuisines where it is stir-fried, pickled, or added to soups and noodle dishes. The mild flavor becomes slightly sweeter when cooked. [source]
Pickling & Preservation
CulinaryPurple King radishes are excellent for pickling, where their firm texture holds well and the purple skin creates visually appealing preserved vegetables. [source]
Digestive Support
MedicinalRadishes contain compounds that support digestive health and are traditionally used in Asian medicine to aid digestion and reduce bloating. [source]
Greens for Cooking
HouseholdThe nutritious purple-tinged radish greens can be sautéed, added to soups, or used in salads, providing a peppery flavor and vitamins A, C, and K. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when roots reach 8-12 inches and shoulder is 1-2 inches in diameter (approximately 50-70 days from planting). Gently loosen soil around the plant and pull by the greens. For tenderness, harvest on the earlier side. Roots can be left in cool, moist soil for extended harvest. Store in cool conditions (32-50°F) with high humidity for up to 3-4 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple King is part of the ancient Raphanus sativus species, radishes cultivated for over 3,000 years in Asia, with selective breeding creating vibrant purple varieties prized for both aesthetics and flavor.
- 🌱 The purple pigmentation in the skin comes from anthocyanin compounds, the same antioxidants found in blueberries, making this radish not only beautiful but also nutrient-dense.
- 🌱 In Asian markets, these radishes are sometimes called 'purple daikon' or 'labanos' (from Spanish), reflecting their widespread use across Asian cuisines from Japan to the Philippines to Vietnam.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Purple Yam Labanos Purple King planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Purple Yam Labanos Purple King seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Purple Yam Labanos Purple King timeline →