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 Australia - 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
25 Feb 16, Stephen (Australia - tropical climate)
You wiĺl find it on eBay easy enough i found a supplier in Tasmania looks very good great info
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Feb 16, Anne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I got my root stock from The Diggers Club. They carry all heritage seeds/roots/plants. I've been a member for years and have enjoyed great produce from their seeds.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Feb 16, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought mine from Ebay :)
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Jun 15, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sheila, did a quick search on a website I get seeds and plants from. https://www.diggers.com.au/shop/fruits-and-vegetables/herbs-and-garlic/herbs-and-spices/variegated-horseradish/pvah/
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Jun 15, hajra (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, I'm in central Durban and have been looking to buuy both horseradish and the seeds/plant- please tell me who/where I can contact?
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jun 15, Bella (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Roy, I live between Ballina & Lismore (NSW). Just dug up my horseradish (it's been in our subtropical garden for at least 18 months) and there's almost nothing but slender hairy roots! (But the leafy tops are magnificent!). Google indicates that we should be able to grow it well, but we haven't yet. Any tips, please? Same thing with celeriac. Have you ever tried that in Logan City. (Sometimes we get lost near you - whenever we come up to Ikea. Gonna try and get the correct exit no. showing prominantly). Thanks for your help. Bella
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Oct 15, Mark (USA - Zone 4a climate)
If the soil has too much nitrogen, it will not grow roots well (it doesn't really need thick roots in that case). Horseradish, while delicious, is basically a weed, and does best when treated as such. You want to basically keep it nitrogen-starved. Best soil for horseradish is nitrogen-poor, which causes much better root growth. (Also make sure the soil is loose). Pick the worst piece of dirt you have. Cultivate to about 2 feet deep. Mix in sand, perlite, or coconut coir if necessary, to keep the soil loose. The only nutrients you should add are phosphorus and sulfur (I use epsom salts in water for the sulfur). Only water as necessary. You need to make it struggle a bit for it to put its energy into the roots. I doubt you get frost where you are, but cold weather (and frost) helps the roots develop better flavor. Good luck!
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Jun 15, Roy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Bella, mine too with slender roots but what I'll be doing shortly is to cut the leaves almost to soil level so that the plant has less above and encourages the root growth instead of all the goodness above. By the way the leaves are also usable. Is yours in a pot or in the ground? I've been growing in both, the potted ones are for anyone who would like to grow their own. Celeriac I haven't grown but celery yes. If you miss the Browns Plains exit no worries if you find your way your way to Logan Central from Ikea , Wembley Road it's just a matter of going all the way to the end and that is crossing over Browns Plains Road then it's just a matter of a left and a left again.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jun 15, andrea (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Rob I live in Crestmead and I am wanting to buy fresh horseradish . Would you know of anywhere in Brisbane or surrounding areas I could buy it? Warmest Regards Andrea
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Jun 15, Samantha (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Bella I had the same issue with our horseradish which was disappointing. I believe it required a low nitrogen soil, and our home made compost was likely rich in nitrogen as we had great growth with the tomato plants in the same plot... but not fruit. Beetroot was the same. Perhaps next season look for a low-nitrogen fertiliser for better root growth
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 271 - 280 of 529 comments
See comments for all plants

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.