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 USA - Zone 5a 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

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?
22 Jul 22, Celia Gobetti (Australia - arid climate)
I want have the plant at my place! How I can plant? How and where I can buy?
29 Jul 22, (Australia - arid climate)
Read the notes here, arid plant june july.
Showing 1 - 10 of 523 comments

Hi Catherine, I use to mix the horseradish with beetroot and use it as a salad next to grilled steak or sausages. It is delicious! Ingredients: 3-4 small beetroots 1 small horseradish root Salt Splash of vinegar (optional – don’t use if using horseradish from a jar as it normally already contains vinegar) Mustard seeds (optional) Cumin seeds (optional) Method: 1. Rinse any mud off the beetroots and put them in a saucepan (metal is best; it might stain enamel) and cover them with water. 2. Bring the water to the boil and leave to boil for 30-40 minutes. 3. Drain the now very purple boiled water from the pan and refill with cold water and allow the beetroots to cool enough to be handled. 4. Clean off the skin (you should now be able to rub it off with your fingers, but use the flat of a knife to scrap it off if you like) and trim off any roots or stem stubs. (You can bake the beetroot and it will be more tasty and healthy) 5. Cut up the beetroots – you can grate it, julienne it, cube it, slice it...whatever you prefer. 6. In a separate bowl finely grate the horseradish. Be a bit careful here if you’ve never grated horseradish before as it’s tremendously powerful – I recommend you don’t hold your head over the bowl whilst grating it! 7. Teaspoon by teaspoon, add the horseradish to the beetroot and taste until you reach a combination you like. Don’t just throw it all in at once because if it’s too strong it’s hard to correct. Horseradish from the jar normally isn’t as powerful as fresh horseradish so you might need a few extra teaspoons. If you have any horseradish left over, put it in a small jar with some salt and vinegar and keep it for a dressing next time you prepare some beef or lamb. 8. Check the seasoning and add some salt and a splash of vinegar if you feel it needs it. 9. You can, at this point, add some mustard seeds (about a heaped teaspoon) or a sprinkle of cumin if you like these flavours. Mustard seeds aren’t so strong but be a little careful with the cumin as it can overpower. 10. Serve! Enjoy!

- Vali

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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. Gardenate 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.