How to Grow Horseradish
Horseradish At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Vegetable
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -34°C
Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Horseradish grows from a piece of root, not from seed. In early spring, about 2 weeks before your last frost, lay a pencil-thick root piece 15 to 20 cm long at a slant, thick end higher, with 5 to 8 cm of soil over its top. Give each piece 45 cm of room, and it is ready to dig that fall.
Horseradish spreads hard: any bit of root left in the ground grows into a new plant. Grow it in a big pot or a bucket with the bottom cut out and sunk in the soil, or give it a corner of its own, and one plant is plenty for a household.
When To Start
Horseradish likes cool weather. Sow it in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked.
We do not have exact sowing dates for this one yet.
When should you plant Horseradish?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Horseradish Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
Your Horseradish Calendar
Set your location to turn these into exact dates and reminders.
Plant a horseradish root piece in a sunk bucket or its own corner
2 weeks before your last frost
Dig horseradish roots after a frost or two
1 week after your first frost· every year
Water your new horseradish plants well while they settle in. Deep and slow is best.
About 1 days after you plant it
Hello! Keep the soil moist so your horseradish root can send up its first leaves.
About 30 days after you plant it
Your horseradish is settling in. It spreads easily, so a pot or the edge of a bed keeps it in its place.
About 90 days after you plant it
The Journey Ahead
Horseradish's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
8 cm
Seeding Depth
45 cm
Plant Spacing
75 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Grow horseradish in full sun for the biggest roots, though it handles part shade.
- 2Give it deep, loose soil with some compost mixed in so the roots grow long and straight.
- 3Water deeply in dry spells, since thirsty roots turn woody.
- 4Skip extra feeding, because horseradish thrives on very little.
- 5Snap off any flower stalks so the plant puts its energy into the root.
- 6Keep it fenced in a sunk bucket or its own corner, and dig out stray shoots as soon as they appear.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
90 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
30 days
When to Pick
Dig roots in late autumn after frost, for the hottest flavour
How to Harvest
- 1Dig the roots in late fall, after a frost or two, when the cold has made them hottest.
- 2Loosen the soil wide and deep with a fork, and lift out every piece of root you can find.
- 3Keep a few side roots about as thick as a pencil to replant for next year.
- 4Grate it outdoors or by an open window, because the fumes are strong enough to sting your eyes.
- 5Mix the fresh gratings with a little vinegar right away to hold the heat, and keep whole, unwashed roots in a bag in the fridge for 2 to 3 months.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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