Armoracia rusticana aka Horse Radish

Taxonomy

Genus Armoracia Family Brassicaceae Order Brassicales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Armoracia rusticana, also known as horseradish or Cochlearia armoracia, is a root vegetable and perennial herb from the Brassicaceae family, which also includes mustard, wasabi, broccoli, cabbage, and radish. The plant is cultivated and used worldwide as a spice and condiment, and its pungent, fleshy roots are harvested and grated to make sauces and relishes. Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, this coarse vegetable features large, dock-like, toothed, shiny, dark green leaves and insignificant, whitish flowers that appear in summer in terminal panicles. While it can be grown as an annual or vegetable, it is typically grown as a perennial herb with a deep taproot. The extremely vigorous growth habit of Armoracia rusticana allows it to crowd out most weeds, making it somewhat weed-like, and its spreading growth habit can smother other vegetation if the roots are not harvested each fall. The genus name comes from the classical Latin name of a related plant, while the specific epithet means pertaining to the country.

Common names

Horse Radish, Common Horseradish

How to care for Horse Radish

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Horse Radish, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Horse Radish should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Horse Radish loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Horse Radish requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Common Horseradish is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Horse Radish is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Region of origin

Horse Radish’s native range is Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17].

More info:
Wikipedia

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