Growing Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

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

(Best months for growing Horseradish in South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant root pieces. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 16-24 weeks. Some improvement in flavour if left till after frost..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best kept separate

Your comments and tips

29 Dec 15, joyce (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have been looking after a friends plants. One of them was a horseradish plant in a pot. Just one little frail leaf. It did not last. So will I be able to get a replacement now from a nursery? I live in inner city Sydney
26 Dec 15, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in inner city Sydney and planted horseradish in potting mix in a pot at the back of the pot section on my west-facing balcony in about June (?). I've pretty much left it alone except for an occasional water if it's been particularly dry. The leaves have grown well - they were pretty lush before though I've noticed now that they're a bit torn - whether this is from an insect or from a few hailstorms I'm not sure. Thing is... I have no idea when to harvest them. How do I know if they're ready to be pulled up and used? And can I just pull up one leaf/plant and leave the rest in the pot? Also, I'm experimenting now but I really want to have some fresh root available in March/April next year. Do I have to replant at a particular time? Can I leave the current plants in the pot until then? etc
20 Dec 15, hi my name is tshidi,m staying in krugasdorp, gauteng. (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can i buy horse radish root?
05 Jan 16, Robert (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Tshidi, you can buy it here online "livingseeds" web site
05 May 16, Ica (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
HI Robert, I'm also looking for fresh horseradish. Please give website link , you're referring to. Thank you
11 Dec 15, Ananda (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I am looking for horseraddish plants to buy. Will send couriers to collect or pay postage. I am in Parys, Free State.
24 Oct 15, warren (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
you can get it from a sth island supplier - type in horse raddish on trade me. lovley people to deal with
07 Oct 15, Mark (USA - Zone 5b climate)
To get the hottest flavor when preparing horseradish root: DO NOT add vinegar while grinding the root! If you're using a food processor, add water, just enough to get it to grind well. Once it is fully ground, let it sit for about 5 minutes. THEN add vinegar. During the 5 minutes, the horseradish (once ground) undergoes a chemical reaction that makes it much stronger. The reaction is (I believe) with water, triggered by breaking up the cells. Vinegar stops this reaction; if you do it too early, the heat never develops. But after a few minutes, without vinegar, the heat will start to fade, so you add vinegar
29 Oct 15, Roy (Australia - temperate climate)
Good advice about when to add the vinegar Mark, do you have preference i.e malt, cider, wine red or white or maybe balsamic? I've been to the USA but apart from temperate and sub tropical I don't know about the zones like yours which is 4a please enlighten.
01 Sep 15, Sabine (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I get a horseradish root in Christchurch????
Showing 251 - 260 of 527 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Horseradish

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.