Horseradish - Armoracia rusticana - €5 per plant
For Root Cuttings Click Here 

Horseradish is a wild native to Europe, and its culinary and functional value is much overlooked. The plant produces an abundance of leaves that have a unique hot mustardy taste that make great additions to the salad bowl. The root provides that same flavour famously harnessed in Horseradish Sauce.  The plant is happy in the shade and its large taproot serves as an accumulator of minerals. 
To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Europe
  • native habitat: Arable land, waste ground and by streams, favours slightly damp positions
  • family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Predators

  • None known 

Needs, tolerances 

  • light: Semi-shade or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • Hardiness Zone: 5
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • Water when dry in summer  
  • For best root production grow in well composted beds with good light exposure. 
  • Divide every 3 yrs for better production 

Known hazards 

  • Large quantities of this plant can be poisonous due to its content of volatile oils. Traditional texts suggested possible thyroid function depression. Contraindicated with chronic nephritis, hepatitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux or hyperacidity conditions, and inflammatory bowel conditions. Avoid during pregnancy and lactation (moderate amounts with food ok).
  • Can be invasive 

Overview

  • Herbaceous perennial growing to 0.7 m  by 0.8 m. 
  • Hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. 
  • In flower from May to June. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, self.
  • The plant is self-fertile. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • Can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • Prefers moist soil

Characteristics

  • form: herbaceous perennial 
  • layer :Rhizome Layer
  • habit: multi-stemmed large leaved, deep tap root system. 
  • height x width (m): 0.7 x 0.8
  • years to bearing yield: 0-2 years  
  • productive life span: indefinite 

Products 

  • Roots :  The tap roots can be harvested at the end of the growing season eaten cooked or raw. The fleshy roots can be up to 60cm long and 5cm thick
  • Leaf: best when fresh and mixed with other salads.
  • Understory ground cover in shade 
  • Fungicide: Horseradish tea is effective against brown rot of apples and other fungicidal diseases
  • Seeds: Sprouted seeds added to salads
  • Ground cover in the under story 

Functions, behaviours

  • Animal dispersed seeds
  • Dormant in cold winters 
  • This is a good companion plant for potatoes since it is said to deter potato eelworm and the Colorado beetle. One plant at each corner of the potato patch is quite sufficient 
  • When grown under apple trees it is said to prevent brown rot, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.
If you would like this plant  please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project