The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Horseradishis a clump-formingperennial plantthat’s categorized as both a vegetable and an herb.
It requires full sun and well-draining soil.
Root pieces should be planted at a 45-degree angle roughly three inches deep.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Space them around 18 inches apart.
A support structure shouldnt be necessary.
Ideally they should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Soil
A loose, well-draining soil that’s rich inorganic matterwill produce the best roots.
In addition, horseradish likes a slightly acidic to neutralsoil pH.
Water
Horseradish has moderate water needs.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Too little water can result in woody roots with weak flavor.
But too much water can cause soft roots with very strong flavor.
Around one to two inches of water per week is ideal.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Temperature and Humidity
Horseradish likes cool weather.
Fertilizer
Fertilizeyour horseradish at the time of planting and then roughly every four weeks.
Types of Horseradish
Horseradish varieties are limited.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Common horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) might be the only punch in you will find.
There is alsoArmoraciarusticana’Variegata,' which is more ornamental with marbled leaves.
‘Variegata’ also tends to be less invasive and more tolerant to shade.
Harvesting Horseradish
The best time harvest horseradish is in the fall.
After one or two frosts, it should be easier to manage.
Dig a hole about one to two feet deep next to the plant.
If you have a row of horseradish, dig a trench instead of a hole.
From the opposite side of the hole, use a shovel or similar tool to loosen the plant.
Pull the above-ground portion of the plant laterally to remove it from the soil.
Clean up the roots.
Store horseradish root that you intend to grind soon in plastic wrap in the fridge.
Store the rest in a basement or other cool area.
Do not expose it to sunlight.
Pruning
As a horseradish plant starts to grow, it will send up multiple shoots.
Each shoot is forming small roots and taking energy from the plant.
The tradeoff of this method is you won’t have as many small roots to propagate your plant.
How to Propagate Horseradish
The most common way to propagate horseradish plants is by saving root cuttings.
Youll save the cuttings when you harvest your horseradish roots in the fall.
Heres how:
Another option is simply to leave these side roots in the ground over the winter.
However, this can result in aggressive spread in the garden.
It doesn’t produce seeds in most regions of the United States.
You’ll need a sizable container with at least a 30-inch depth for the roots to grow.
Use a loose, organic, quality potting mix for horseradish.
One that’s labeled for vegetable growth often works well.
Plant the roots the same as if you were planting them in the ground.
Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dries out, and fertilize monthly.
In cold climates, add a thick layer of mulch over the roots to protect them.
Garden netting and neem oil may help protect horseradish from these pests.
Plant your horseradish away from other plants in the Brassicaceae family that attract the same insects.
Diseases also are rare, butroot rotcan occur in soggy conditions.
Plant in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.
Drooping Leaves
Drooping leaves can be indicative of a need for potassium.
If your water levels are accurate and the roots look good, try fertilizing with a potassium-rich fertilizer.
The roots of spring-planted horseradish will typically be ready for harvesting in October or November.
Yes, you could let horseradish plants flower, which will attract pollinators to your garden.
