Turnip
Brassica rapafam. Brassicaceae
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Pl. 0357 — Brassica rapa
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IOverview
Overview
Turnip (Brassica rapa) is a biennial herb that thrives in light to heavy soils with a pH between 5 and 8. Native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, and parts of North Africa and the Middle East, this plant has been cultivated for its edible root and leaves. Known for both culinary and medicinal uses, turnip is adaptable, growing best in moist conditions with a hardiness range of 7 to 11. It can be propagated by direct seeding outdoors and requires spacing of about 16 cm between plants. One distinctive feature of the turnip is its light texture, making it suitable for various cooking methods while also contributing to its reputation as a versatile food source.
Quick answers
What is Turnip?
Turnip (Brassica rapa) is a biennial herb that thrives in light to heavy soils with a pH between 5 and 8. Native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, and parts of North Africa and the Middle East, this plant has been cultivated for its edible root and leaves.
What is Turnip used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Turnip
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Turnip appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Turnip support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Turnip thrives in light to medium soil and prefers a pH between 5 and 8. It requires moist conditions but can tolerate various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Direct seed outdoors for best results, spacing seeds about 16 cm apart. Turnip is hardy in temperate regions with zones ranging from 7 to 11. Ensure it gets plenty of light, as it rates an 8 out of 10 for its need for sunlight. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
7-11
Life cycle
Biennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.5 m tall
Soil pH
5–8
- Propagation
- Direct seed outdoors
- Germination
- 4-7 days
- Days to harvest
- 45-80
- Spacing
- 16cm
- Row spacing
- 2 cm
- Seed viability
- 3 to 7 years
For first-time growers
How to grow Turnip for the first time
8steps
Start with turnips for a simple and rewarding gardening experience.
- 1
What you'll need
Turnip seeds, a garden plot or large container, soil, water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late summer for best results.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH between 5 and 8. Loosen the soil if using a container.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct seed outdoors, spacing seeds about 16cm apart in rows.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin out seedlings to maintain proper spacing.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly and mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Harvest roots when they reach the desired size, usually 2-3 months after planting. Prune any dead leaves to keep the plant healthy.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, not thinning seedlings, using soil with poor drainage.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesRoot
Edible uses: The turnip is both the root and leaves that are commonly eaten. The roots can be cooked in various ways—boiled, roasted, or mashed—and are also enjoyed raw in salads. The leaves are often steamed or sautéed as a green vegetable. Both parts of the plant are versatile and can be used fresh or dried for later use.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
21 native · 9 introduced
Distribution
21 native · 9 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 21 native· 9 introduced
Europe5 regions
native (5)AlbaniaBulgariaGreeceItalyRussia
Asia6 regions
native (6)IranIraqOmanPalestineSaudi ArabiaTurkey
Americas1 region
introduced (1)United States
Africa6 regions
native (6)AlgeriaEritreaEthiopiaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia, Lebanon-Syria, Transcaucasus, Kriti
introduced:Argentina South, Argentina Northwest, Argentina Northeast, Andaman Is., Amur, Altay, Alberta, Alabama
VIIIGarden companions
16 pairs
Garden companions
16 pairsPlant near these
These plants help — by repelling pests, fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or sharing space well.
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Borage
Borago officinalis
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Pot marigold
Calendula officinalis
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Fagopyrum esculentum
Fagopyrum esculentum
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
Pest repellent
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
Garlic
Allium sativum
Pest repellent
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Pest repellent
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
Artemisia dracunculus
Artemisia dracunculus
Pest repellent
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
White Clover
Trifolium repens
Living mulch
Lower-confidence guild pairing: low ground covers protect soil, reduce bare patches, and can be cut back if they compete.
Radish
Raphanus sativus
Trap crop
Lower-confidence guild pairing: trap crops can draw aphids or flea beetles away from the main crop when monitored and removed if overloaded.
Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Trap crop
Lower-confidence guild pairing: trap crops can draw aphids or flea beetles away from the main crop when monitored and removed if overloaded.
Keep away from these
Avoid planting nearby — competition, allelopathy, or shared pests/diseases.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
AllelopathicResource competitor
Management warning: fennel is traditionally grown apart because it can inhibit neighbouring crops and disrupt guild balance.
Jerusalem artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus
Resource competitor
Management warning: vigorous spreaders or allelopathic plants are best isolated from productive beds unless contained.
Spearmint
Mentha spicata
Resource competitor
Management warning: vigorous spreaders or allelopathic plants are best isolated from productive beds unless contained.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Brassicaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Brassicaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 0357b0c3-a95c-421a-8b37-cb00a059ca8f
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