How to Grow Horseradish



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Days to germination: Started from root cuttings
Days to harvest: One full season
Light requirements: Full sun
Water requirements: Only during dry spells, once established
Soil: Horseradish will grow almost anywhere
Container: Ideal for containers, and usually preferred

Introduction

Horseradish is grown for its pungent roots, and its a very easy-to-grow perennial. Even though you dig up the plant to harvest the roots each year, new plants can (and will) return in the spring from any small pieces of root still in the ground. It is so prolific, it can get out of control if you are not careful. As explained below, many people grow it in pots just to keep it restrained.

As long as some root is left in the ground each fall, it will grow as a perennial between zones 2 and 9.

Though horseradish is used sparingly due to its strong hot flavor, it does add some nutritional benefits to your food. Lots of vitamin C, potassium, calcium and magnesium to name a few. The roots are chopped, grated or minced, and usually mixed with vinegar. It’s a condiment served with many kinds of meat or fish.

Transplanting

Horseradish isn’t grown from seed, but from root cuttings. The usual way to start horseradish is to plant roots right into the garden rather than start them inside first. You can purchase root cuttings for this, or even just try to grow it from pieces of fresh horseradish root from the grocery store.

If you are going to grow your horseradish in the garden rather than a pot, choose a sunny location and allow for at least 18 to 20 inches between plants. They will get to around 3 feet in height as well. With very large leaves, it can shade out most other plants grown nearby. Thankfully, they also shade out most of the weeds.

Planting should be done as soon as your ground is thawed enough to dig. You’ll want to dig down at least twice as deep as your piece of horseradish root is long to provide loose soil for the long taproot.

Purchased roots for starting horseradish usually have buds on one end, so you can tell which way is up. Bury the root standing “upright” with the bud ends at the top, just above the soil level. If you are using root from the store, there may not be any clear top to it. In that case, you’re better off planting the root horizontally just a few inches under the soil and let the plant figure it out.

Keep the soil moist until you start to see sprouts coming up. Continue regular watering to keep the soil moist until the plant has developed several sets of leaves. Then it should be fine with just rainfall on its own.

Growing Instructions

Though horseradish will thrive even when neglected, you can help your plants out with a mid-summer application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer. A standard formula will promote too much leaf growth at the expense of the roots.

While the plants are growing, you can actually pick a few of the young leaves and add them to salads. They can be kind of spicy, so only try a few. The older leaves will be too tough to eat.

Later in the season, your plants may go to flower. Horseradish blooms are small, white and not particularly showy. They won’t harm your future root harvest so don’t feel you have to cut them off like with many other herbs.

Containers

Because horseradish can spread mercilessly through your garden, many people prefer to grow it in containers.

Horseradish is a fast-growing plant that will produce deep roots even though you will be digging up the plant each year. You will need a very large pot to allow your plant to really thrive. A 20 gallon pot, or even a half-barrel is the best. Make sure there is good drainage and plenty of holes in the bottom.

Pests and Diseases

Horseradish is in the same family as broccoli and cabbage, so be prepared for the same host of insect pests as you find with these other vegetables.

In particular, keep an eye out for cabbage worms. They are the larvae of a white butterfly that will lay its eggs on the leaves. They prefer cabbage but will be happy to feast on your horseradish if it’s nearby. Look for slim green caterpillars, and pick them off immediately. Give your plants a frequent spray of insecticide. Since you are not harvesting the leaves of your plants, you don’t have to worry about when you spray.

Harvest and Storage

You can either harvest your horseradish in the fall after the first hard frost has killed back the top portions of the plant, or in the early spring just before new sprouts form. The root flavor intensifies quite a bit after a frost but if you prefer milder horseradish, than harvest a bit earlier.

While some gardeners have a preference, there is little difference in either approach. Either way, gently dig up your plants and cut away all the thick roots. To start new plants for the next year, leave one or two pieces in the soil. This will work fine to start new plants even if you are harvesting in the fall.

Quite often, you will have new plants spring up even if you don’t intend it. If you really don’t want any more horseradish plants, you will have to thoroughly dig the soil to remove all the pieces of roots.

Once you grate horseradish root, it will soon start to turn dark unless you mix with vinegar. Once vinegar is added (usually referred to as prepared horseradish at this point), you can store it in the fridge for 6 weeks.

When you grate your horseradish, do it somewhere well-ventilated. The fumes are very potent can will burn your eyes and nose. Best to keep a window open if you can.

For later use, you can store the whole roots for about 3 months in a container with damp sand. It’s not really the most practical method but horseradish needs to be kept moist. Or you can freeze it once grated. The whole root doesn’t freeze well.

The longer you store your horseradish roots, the less flavorful they will be. That goes for prepared horseradish as well.

11 Responses to “How to Grow Horseradish”

  1. Roger McCleave  Says:
    September 25th, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Many thanks for what seems to be everything I need to know for growing this very useful herb.

    For a delicious addition to grated horse radish add 20% [by volume] of condensed milk. Sounds improbable but try it !

  2. Ken King  Says:
    February 23rd, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    Hello, I grew horseradish many years ago but my wife took a dislike to it and dug it up. After reading the above I am going to plant a thong in a large tub, maybe this way I can hang on to it. Thanks for the info,
    Ken King.

  3. Steve Delin  Says:
    March 25th, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    The info in your article is great. I just cannot seem to find a grocer to merchandise horseradish other than as a dry root with no green at the top. they are just dried out and dead. I will keep on looking though. When i do find it, I will start growing in a pot.

  4. Jim Wininger  Says:
    March 29th, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Looking for info as to when I can dig up my bed and relocate it to a new area. Any advice helpful. thanks–Jim

  5. brian  Says:
    April 7th, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    any time is fine i like rite now to start plants and move them to new spots steve if you email me at 24karathounds@hotmail.com for more info i sale roots.

  6. Norma Coles  Says:
    April 15th, 2012 at 7:25 am

    I dug up my horseradish and it looks “woody”. Is there a good fertilizer that will make it grow healthy?
    Thanks

  7. Linde  Says:
    April 16th, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    This was the most helpful post I have found! I plan to start following your blog being that I’m just taking on the art of backyard gardening. I purchased my root with no leaves or obvious “top” so I will plant it horizontally as you recommended in a barrel to keep it from taking over my garden beds. Thank you!

  8. tim  Says:
    April 17th, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    i love horseradish, some older folks i used to know grew it and made there own sauce and bottled it for future use. they were great folks and my love of horseradish is because of my knowing them. i loved it before i knew them but had never had anything but the store bought variaties of sauces etc. the second i had my first taste of “real” horseradish from the garden, i was hooked and have been ever since. i have an area of my yard i would like devote to horseradish, the dormant roots showed up today. my question is this…in dormant roots that look like sticks, more or less, how do you know which end goes up when you plant them? im pretty sure it matters. i appreciate any help offered and thank you!

  9. Jeff  Says:
    May 9th, 2012 at 6:50 am

    Just wanted you to know how much folks like me appreciate “good” gardening advice like yours.

    I’ll be growing horseradish this year for the first time in my forty years of gardening.

    Thanks.

  10. Mac  Says:
    May 10th, 2012 at 1:21 am

    Tim; Commercial horseradish rootstock is trimmed at an angle at the bottom, and flat at the top. Just plant the pointy end down.

  11. Tracey  Says:
    May 13th, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    When I was growing up as a kid I always remember my parents saying that you only harvest horseradish in the months that have an “R” in them.

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