root
EdibleTurnip
Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA (not listed; brassica)).
A sunny south-facing window with 6+ hours, or a grow light.
Keep evenly moist — water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Forgiving and beginner-friendly.
Turnips are a quick cool-season root that doubles as a leafy green, and they size up faster than most root crops. Give them a reasonably deep pot and steady moisture for tender, mild roots.
About Turnip
Turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) are a fast cool-season root, grown across Europe and Asia for centuries and useful twice over, since the leafy tops are edible too. They size up quicker than most root crops, which makes them satisfying for an impatient or first-time grower. In a rental, a pot at least 20 cm deep and around 6 litres on a bright sill or balcony does the job. Sow thinly and thin the seedlings so each root has room to swell.
Turnips are easy and want bright light with steady, medium moisture for tender, mild roots. Harvest young, somewhere between golf-ball and tennis-ball size, for the sweetest flavor. Don't discard the tops; cook the greens like other brassicas. A first harvest usually comes quickly, around 40 to 60 days from sowing.
What it’s like to grow
Turnips are easy and beginner-friendly, with two failure modes worth knowing. Roots left too long turn woody and strong-flavored, and crowding, heat, or too little light gives you all tops and no root. Thin the seedlings, keep them bright and cool, water evenly at the medium level, and pick while the roots are still small. Non-toxic to cats and dogs, turnips are a good pick if you want a quick double crop of root and greens from a single deep-enough pot.
What to expect
First harvest in about 40–60 days. It’s forgiving, so it’s a good one to learn on. No sunny window? It also does fine under a clip-on grow light.
See what you’ll need to get started ↓Companions
Tips
- Use a pot at least ~20 cm deep and thin seedlings so roots can swell.
- Harvest young at golf-ball to tennis-ball size for the sweetest flavor.
- Don’t waste the tops — the greens are edible cooked like other brassicas.
Common problems
- Woody, strong-flavored roots from harvesting too late.
- All-tops-no-root from crowding, heat, or too little light.
Common questions
Is Turnip toxic to cats and dogs?
Turnip is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a safe pick if you have pets. Source: ASPCA (not listed; brassica).
How much light does Turnip need?
Turnip wants bright light — a south-facing window with six or more hours of sun, or a grow light to make up for it.
How often should I water Turnip?
Water Turnip when the top inch of soil feels dry, then let it drain. Aim for evenly moist, not soggy.
What temperature does Turnip need?
Turnip is happiest around 10–21 °C. It tolerates brief dips to about -2 °C, but cold drafts and sudden chills set it back.
How long does Turnip take to grow?
Expect a first harvest about 40–60 days from sowing under good conditions. A fast cool-season root; one sowing in a deep-enough pot gives a flush of small-to-medium roots plus edible greens.
Can I grow Turnip without a sunny window?
Yes. Turnip does well under an affordable clip-on grow light, so a bright window isn't essential.
How big does Turnip get?
A leafy top over a round root; sow thinly and thin to spacing in a deeper pot.
How do I propagate Turnip?
Sow seed directly in a deep pot and thin seedlings so each root has room to swell.
What pests affect Turnip?
Watch for flea beetles, aphids and cabbage root fly. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves often, and treat early with a rinse or insecticidal soap before they spread.
Is Turnip easy to grow?
Yes. Turnip is forgiving and one of the better plants to learn on.
Gear for Turnip
Gear suggestions to get you started — general picks, not paid placements.
Pet-toxicity from the ASPCA. Care details are general guidance, not professional or veterinary advice; only eat plants you can positively identify as the edible plant and part described. Photo: thebittenword.com, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY). Care info last updated 2026-06-02.