Scientific name: Armoracia rusticana
Family: BRASSICACEA
Common names: “Horse radish”
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Conditions:
Zone: 4-9
Light: Full sun
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
Soil: Fertile organically rich soil best for largest roots
Moisture: Moist well drained
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: 2-3′ H & W
Leaf and Stem shape: Large fragrant leaves with prominent veins
Flower: Small insignificant white flowers
Maintenance: Low, plant root cuttings in the spring and harvest roots in the fall, can be left alone but roots will become woody and less useful for harvest, plant in a corner where it will not grow into other plants, can be difficult to remove as it will regrow from tiny root pieces, best to leave the leaves overwinter to protect the roots
Landscape use: Herb garden, vegetable garden
Propagate: By root cuttings, rarely produce viable seed
Pests & Disease: Insects, slugs and snails will eat the leaves but usually don’t attack the root crop
Comments: Easy to grow and propagate, its finding a use for all the horseradish root that becomes difficult, can be very spicy, good for crowding out weeds
Vancouver Island Grows 