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           P P P P

(Best months for growing Horseradish in Australia - temperate 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
  • Horseradish leaf

Horseradish is grown from root cuttings. If you know someone who has it in their garden, just one piece of root will start off for you.

Dig a deep hole and refill with compost as the horseradish has a long taproot. Plant it and then leave it alone. Apart from constant wet or cold, horseradish will grow in any part of the garden.

Horseradish is an aggressive grower and will quickly take over the garden. It will also grow well in a deep container or sink an old bucket in the ground to prevent spreading. Otherwise, remove all the plant when you harvest it and save one piece to replant.

Can be planted in early Autumn or Spring

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Horseradish

Strong, spicy flavour traditionally used with roast beef.

Used grated for horseradish sauce or horseradish cream.

Your comments and tips

26 May 10, Peter Ben (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can you tell me where can i get Horseradish plunt? I live in Adelaide. Thanks!
26 May 10, David Window (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I bought some horseradish root on ebay. It came from Vic or Sth Aus from a garden centre. David
20 Mar 11, Karen (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I bought my horseradish plant as a baby from Bunnings for about $3.50. Second season now and I have about 7 plants in the one spot and it's GROWING... Wish I had have read that it takes over BEFORE I planted it in the ground!
10 Mar 18, Isabella (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Could you please let me know who was the supplier from Bowral that sent you horseradish plant?
25 Aug 10, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Peter Try ... www.cornucopiaseeds.com.au John
03 Oct 10, Michelle Fletcher (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I am trying to locate where i can buy a horseradish plant, seeds or seedlings in Perth, W.A. I have discovered a lot of places over east wont mail to WA due to the restrictions here. Any help wil be apprecaited, thanks in advance Chelle
20 Oct 10, Martin (Australia - arid climate)
I just asked at Waldecks on Cnr Hamilton St & Karrinyup Rd, Osborne Park -and the girl took my name and number as they will be getting some in. Hope they do get it in. Martin
06 Feb 11, Belinda (Australia - temperate climate)
i have a baby starting to grow from escaped root, would be happy to share if you have had no joy, Belinda i am in bayswater
21 Feb 11, james thyer (Australia - temperate climate)
hi i am in maylands and would be very interested to get my hands on some horseradish. next time you harvest, can i grab a cutting?? 0412912147 thanks james
25 Jan 14, John potter (Australia - tropical climate)
Bunnings have some very nice plants ,
Showing 1 - 10 of 338 comments

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.