How to grow Horseradish in Australia
Plant root cuttings in deep, fertile soil in full sun to part shade, ideally in a contained bed or buried pot. Water during dry spells to keep roots growing, and add compost for size.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 1 days
- Spacing: 40 cm
- Time to harvest: 300 days
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | June to September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | June to September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | June to September | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | June to September | |
| Adelaide & SA | June to September | |
| Perth & WA | June to September | |
| Tasmania | August to October | Plant root cuttings Aug to Oct. Fully hardy and very easy in Tasmania; contain the bed, as every root scrap regrows. |
| Canberra & ACT | August to October | Plant root cuttings Aug to Oct as the soil thaws. Fully hardy; keep it in a contained bed because every root scrap regrows. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not suited. Needs a cold winter rest and rots in wet season soil. Grow daikon or mustard greens for heat instead. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not suited. Needs a cold winter rest and rots in wet season soil. Grow daikon or mustard greens for heat instead. |
Varieties
- Common Horseradish
- Variegated Horseradish
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Dig the roots once the plant is well established and the leaves are large. Fork up the main root and leave side pieces in the ground to regrow next round.
Storage
Whole roots in the crisper for weeks; grated and vinegared in a jar for months.