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Herbs - CulinaryHerbaceous Perennial

Armoracia rusticana

horseradish

A vigorous rhizomatous perennial up to 60 cm tall and 60 cm wide with fleshy, white, pungently aromatic tap-roots. Large, shiny, dock-like leaves die back in winter, but re-shoot from the roots in spring. Panicles of small, white flowers emerge in early summer. The white root is usually harvested in autumn and winter and used grated in horseradish sauce

Other common names
horseradish
pepper root
see morepepper turnip
red cole
horse radish
rhuddygl poeth
Synonyms
Brassica amoracia 'Rusticana'
Cochlearia armoracia

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Brassicaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright, Clump forming
Genus

Armoracia are robust upright tap-rooted perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves, and small white, 4-petalled flowers in terminal panicles or racemes

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SE Europe

How to grow

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Cut back fades leaves once they die down in late autumn, or before new growth starts in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May suffer from club root

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