Armoracia rusticana
Horseradish, Red cole
Also known as Cochlearia armoracia
- Height × spread
- 0.7m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a handsome plant grown for its big oblong leaves and the long fleshy taproot from which horseradish sauce is made. The flowers are usually removed. If grown well, it makes a substantial upstanding plant, but it can sprawling and untidy. If you have room for it, this is a very worthwhile addition to the garden as it gives you magnificent foliage all summer. When crushed, the leaves have the same distinctive, pungent odour as the roots. Horseradish is very vigorous - which means highly invasive - in moist, rich soil.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.7m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Winter
Winter - late · Planting
Remove baby plants
Remove offsets or small plants around the base of the parent plant while it is dormant. The plants should have developed their own root system. Replant them, or grow them on in a pot.