About
Armoracia rusticana is a robust perennial that can reach heights and widths of up to 60 cm. It features thick, white taproots that produce a strong aroma. The broad, glossy leaves reminiscent of dock plants will die back in winter, but new growth will emerge from the roots in spring. In early summer, clusters of small white flowers appear. The fleshy white root is typically harvested during the autumn and winter months and is commonly grated for use in horseradish sauce.
About the genus
Armoracia consists of sturdy, upright perennials characterized by their taproots and either simple or pinnately lobed foliage. They produce small, white flowers with four petals, arranged in terminal panicles or racemes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbs - Culinary, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- SE Europe
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in light, fertile and deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Water freely during the growing season. Horseradish will form a vigorous spreading clump, that has the potential to become a nuisance and is hard to remove. Plants grown in pots need to be watered regularly. For more advice, see horseradish cultivation
- Pruning
- Cut back fades leaves once they die down in late autumn, or before new growth starts in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by division in winter
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May suffer from club root