How to Grow Horseradish for Food, Pest Control, & More
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Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a hardy perennial plant known for its pungent roots. It also helps deter pests, and has a long history of medicinal use. I’ll share how to grow horseradish, from planting to harvest, including tips for small gardens.
Easy to grow and maintain, horseradish thrives in most climates. We got a start from the neighbor’s patch, and added it to our orchard. If you have a friend or neighbor who grows horseradish, they should be able to divide their plant to share with you. If not, you can find the roots at garden centers or through mail order nurseries.
Table of contents
Planting and Growing Horseradish
Plant horseradish in early spring, when the soil temperature is at least 40°F (4°C). The plants produce best in full sun, but tolerate some shade. Avoid soggy soils, which can lead to root rot. Once established, these plants spread, so give them plenty of room.
As mentioned in the introduction, you can divide healthy established plants to start new plants. The horseradish root cuttings, known as “sets”, are also available for purchase. You can even plant a root from the grocery store, as long as it hasn’t been treated with growth inhibitor.
Loosen the soil to about one foot deep, removing competing vegetation. Work in some compost or well-rotted manure.
After raking the bed smooth, dig a furrow about 6 inches deep. Set the horseradish root cutting along the side of the trench so the buds are toward the soil surface. Space the pieces about 12 – 18 inches apart. Cover the roots with about 2 inches of soil and water well.
Shoots should appear in a week or two. Mulch plants with straw or wood chips, to reduce weeds and retain soil moisture. Keep the area around the plant weed free to reduce competition while the plants are young. Once established, horseradish is a vigorous grower and will crowd out other plants.
Make sure the plants get around an inch of water per week. Fertilize once during the growing season with a mild fertilizer, like fish emulsion, if desired. Don’t overfertilize. Remember, we want these plants to shoot down nice, deep roots.
Container Growing for Small Gardens
If you have a small garden, be careful, as horseradish can be invasive. To prevent it from spreading, plant it in a container or use a barrier in the ground.
When dealing with spreading plants in tight spaces (like growing mint), I generally prefer to sink a pot into the ground. This keeps the plant from taking over, but it doesn’t need to be watered as frequently as pots above ground.
In our yard, we have them planted where we can mow around them to keep them in check.
Permaculture Uses
You can grow horseradish as part of a fruit tree guild in permaculture. In permaculture, guilds are groups of plants that are planted near each other for mutual benefit. These are like companion plants for the garden, on a larger scale.
In the book Gaia’s Garden, the author discusses fruit tree guilds. The plants in the fruit tree guilds include:
- Shrubs
- Vines
- Ground Covers
- Nitrogen-fixers
- Insectary plant (for pollinators)
- Pest fumigants and repellents – this is where horseradish fits in
- Medicinal plants
- Root plants
Strong smelling plants like horseradish, marigold, garlic mustard, and walking onion can help keep pests out of the orchard. Add horseradish around the orchard edges, not too close under the trees. You don’t want these super vigorous roots in direct competition with your fruit tree roots.
Note – for the best growth, do the prep work listed in the planting section. That said, these plants are tough. We started our first patches with plants the neighbors wanted to clear out, and planted them without soil prep. They took longer to get established, but are now chugging along.
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Harvesting and Storage
In most climates, it’s best to let the plants grow and develop a strong root system their first season. If your plant takes off, you can harvest the first year.
Ideally, you want to harvest after the first fall frost, which enhances the flavor of the roots. Use a garden fork or spade to carefully lift the roots. Harvest only as much as you need, leaving some roots in the ground for next year’s growth.
Trim off the tops, and brush the roots with a scrub brush to remove most of the soil. Store the roots in the root cellar like carrots, or in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator. Roots last around 3 months in cool storage.
For longer storage, you can freeze the roots, either whole or grated. You can also prepare horseradish sauce with vinegar, which keeps in the refrigerator from one harvest to the next. For medicinal use, you can dry the root or make it into a tincture.
Culinary and Medicinal Use
This spicy mustard family plant is a good paired with rich or fatty foods. It’s a gastric stimulant, and has more vitamin C than lemons or oranges. We use it in fresh horseradish sauce, cream sauce, and cocktail sauce.
Medicinally, it acts as a digestive, an antiseptic, and a stimulant. Learn more about horseradish medicinal benefits.
Horseradish Growing Checklist
- Planting season: Early Spring
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Root cutting depth: 4″ (10 cm)
- pH range: 5.5-7.5
- Soil temperature: 40-60°F (4-16 °C)
- Spacing in beds: 12 – 18 inches (30 – 45 cm) – spreads once established
- Watering: Low to Moderate
- Light: Best yields in full sun, but will tolerate shade
Frequently Asked Questions
Horseradish is relatively pest-resistant, but can be affected by flea beetles and white rust. Use our flea beetle control tips, and maintain good air circulation to minimize issues.
While horseradish prefers full sun, it tolerates partial shade. That said, root development may be less vigorous.
Plant horseradish in a large container or use a root barrier to keep its growth confined.
Yes, horseradish can be grown in a large pot indoors as long as it receives ample sunlight and has well-draining soil.
Perennial Crops for Abundance
Growing perennial crops like horseradish, rhubarb, and asparagus allows you to reap a harvest for many years to come. This is a great way to add resilience and abundance to your home garden. Once established, they produce a harvest for many years with modest care.
Do you grow horseradish? Do you use it for food or medicine? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie and her family live in northeast Wisconsin, where they grow a wide variety of plants for food and medicine. Along with her passion for growing nutrient dense food, she also enjoys ancient history, adorable ducks, and lifelong learning.