Horseradish Armoracia rusticana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cochlearia armoracia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ar-mor-AY-see-ah roo-stih-KAH-nah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Horseradish was brought to the US by colonists and is now grown worldwide.
This plant is a herbaceous perennial herb in the cabbage family with a deep taproot that is often grown as annual vegetable. As a vegetable, it is grown for its fleshy roots that are harvested and grated to make relish, sauces, and seasonings. They have a hot, bitter taste that comes from mustard oils that are released when the plant cells are cut or damaged. The pungency will begin to degrade and take on a bitter taste if not mixed with vinegar, which will stop the degradation. The oils (glucosinolates) can also cause your eyes to water.
Its vigorous growth habit will allow it to smother out other vegetation, including weeds. This is particularly true if the plant is not harvested each fall. Leaving roots in the ground in lieu of harvesting will promote growth in the off months.
Although clay soils tolerant, planting in lighter soils will make harvesting the roots easier.
Propagation can be done annually by removing the roots and storing them for planting the following year.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: It can be difficult to eliminate due to its deep taproot. The smallest piece left in the soil can take root and grow into another plant.
The leaves are occasionally eaten by cabbage worm larvae and flea beetles.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Herb & Flower Cottage Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Variegata'
Variable markings appear on established plants
- 'Variegata'
- 'Variegata'
- Tags:














- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Variegata'
Variable markings appear on established plants
- 'Variegata'
- 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Armoracia
- Species:
- rusticana
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Condiment
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Ukraine to European Russia
- Distribution:
- Worldwide distribution
- Wildlife Value:
- It is pollinated by bees, flies and beetles.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edibility:
- Edible parts: roots, used as a condiment, but only in small amounts (do not eat large amounts of the roots as eating large amounts may result in poisonous symptoms); leaves, as expand in the spring, may be boiled in salted water until tender, then eaten with butter or margarine
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Oblong seed pods form after flowering. Each can contain up to 8 seeds.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The non-showy flowers are small, white, and 4-parted. They form in panicles or racemes up to 16" long.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green basil leaves can grow up 2' long and 6" wide. The stem leaves grow to 6" long and 2" wide. They are alternate, simple, and the margin is toothed. As they ascend the stem, the leaves become smaller.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Poisonous to Humans
- Weedy
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. (Poisonous through ingestion of more than small amount of ground root; Poisonous parts are roots). Symptoms may include: Profuse sweating, irritation of the stomach and intestines, loss of strength, disorientation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glucosinolates
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Roots