Growing Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                    P P

(Best months for growing Horseradish in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant root pieces. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 16-24 weeks. Some improvement in flavour if left till after frost..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best kept separate
  • Horseradish leaf

Horseradish is grown from root cuttings. If you know someone who has it in their garden, just one piece of root will start off for you.

Dig a deep hole and refill with compost as the horseradish has a long taproot. Plant it and then leave it alone. Apart from constant wet or cold, horseradish will grow in any part of the garden.

Horseradish is an aggressive grower and will quickly take over the garden. It will also grow well in a deep container or sink an old bucket in the ground to prevent spreading. Otherwise, remove all the plant when you harvest it and save one piece to replant.

Can be planted in early Autumn or Spring

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Horseradish

Strong, spicy flavour traditionally used with roast beef.

Used grated for horseradish sauce or horseradish cream.

Your comments and tips

01 Aug 24, Dolf Visagie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi I would love to buy horseradish roots to plant, could you please tel me where I could get
10 Jul 24, Bruce Lesur (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi. Could you please advise where I can buy horseradish root or seed to plant. Thank you
26 Mar 24, Margie Lourens (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, I would also like to know where I can buy. Online if possible Thank you
29 Oct 23, Joy Thomas (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I live in NW Arkansas. I planted bohemian horseradish late this spring in large feed bucket containers. When do I harvest? Can I leave some in the ground or will it freeze since it us above ground in a container?
13 Jul 23, Attila Juhász (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hello horseradish king! https://hajdusagitorma.hu/en/
17 Feb 23, Charles Garth (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like a horse radish plant I live in Cradock 0724747181
27 Dec 22, Martin Wynne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Horseradish has been in the ground for 6 months and at the start flourished with plant of leaf growth now it looks as if the leaves have dried up. What is the problem. Date 29th December 2022. Live in Gold Coast
28 Aug 22, Geraldine Thaumuller (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow horseradish on the South Coast of KZN
21 Sep 22, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Horseradish is a cool weather plant so plant it in Autumn. Just ensure good drainage and air flow around the plants as the humidity factor in KZN could cause powdery mildew. Please send me some! 063 409 3911.
01 Aug 22, Col (Australia - temperate climate)
My horseradish has been in a trough approx 60x30cm for years and never harvested, the new leaves are shooting. Can I repot or plant it in the ground now?
Showing 1 - 10 of 525 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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