How To Grow Horseradish
Horseradish is one of those underrated garden gems that delivers a huge punch of flavor with minimal effort. Known for its spicy, nose-tingling kick, horseradish is a hardy perennial that’s easy to grow and even easier to harvest once established. If you’re looking to spice up your garden—and your meals—growing horseradish at home is a rewarding project.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you grow horseradish from root to table.
What You Need to Know About Horseradish
Horseradish is a member of the Brassicaceae family, related to mustard, cabbage, and broccoli. It thrives in cooler climates and can tolerate frost, making it ideal for spring or fall planting. The part we eat is the root, which develops deep in the soil over the growing season.
Step 1: Choose the Right Location
Horseradish grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Choose a location with loose, well-draining soil. Since horseradish can become invasive, consider planting it in a contained bed or large pot. Once it takes hold, it tends to spread via underground roots, so be mindful of where you put it.
Step 2: Start with a Root Cutting
Horseradish is usually grown from root cuttings, known as “sets.” These are available from garden centers or online nurseries. Each cutting should be about 6–8 inches long and roughly the width of a carrot.
Plant the root at a 45-degree angle with the top (the wider end) just below the surface and the narrow end pointing downward. Space multiple plants about 18–24 inches apart.
Step 3: Water and Wait
Horseradish needs regular watering to develop a large, healthy root system. Keep the soil moist, especially during dry periods. Avoid waterlogging, as soggy soil can cause root rot.
This plant doesn’t require much maintenance—just keep weeds at bay and mulch around the base to help retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Step 4: Harvesting Horseradish
You can begin harvesting horseradish in the fall of the first year, though many gardeners prefer to wait until the second year for a more robust root. To harvest, gently dig around the plant and remove the main root. Be sure to leave a few smaller roots in the soil if you want it to regrow next year.
The root is at its peak flavor after the first frost, which concentrates the spicy compounds.
Step 5: Preparing and Using the Root
Fresh horseradish root can be peeled, grated, and used right away—or preserved for later. Grate it finely in a well-ventilated space (trust me, it’s pungent!), and mix it with a splash of vinegar to stop the enzyme reaction that gives horseradish its heat.
You can refrigerate grated horseradish in a sealed jar for up to a month. It’s great added to sauces, marinades, sandwiches, and even Bloody Marys.
Pro Tips:
- Don’t plant horseradish near delicate plants—it can be aggressive and take over.
- Replant a few root cuttings each year to maintain your supply.
- For the best flavor, harvest after a light frost but before the ground freezes.
Final Thoughts
Growing horseradish is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of gardening project. Once planted, it keeps coming back year after year, offering a fresh supply of this bold, flavorful root. Whether you love it in cocktail sauce or as a fiery condiment for roast beef, there’s nothing like the flavor of freshly dug horseradish from your own backyard.
Add this hardy perennial to your garden lineup and enjoy the spicy rewards for seasons to come!
