How to grow horseradish in a raised bed

Horseradish is the fiery root behind a proper roast-beef sauce — a tough, leafy perennial that grows with abandon. Grow it in a raised bed (or a pot) to keep its wandering roots from taking over.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: one plant per 40–50 cm
• Tub depth: our 41 cm depth
• Time to harvest: one full season

When should I plant horseradish?

Plant root cuttings in late winter to spring. It's a hardy perennial that returns from any root fragment left in the soil — which is exactly why a contained raised bed suits it. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): June to August
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): July to September
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): August to October
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): Not really suited to this zone
• Arid inland: July to August

How do I grow horseradish in a raised bed?

Plant root pieces into deep, loose mix and let the big leaves grow. It's almost impossible to kill; the challenge is containing it, so lift it fully each year if you don't want it spreading.

How often should I water and feed horseradish?

Water through the growing season for fatter roots; otherwise very low-maintenance.

What pests attack horseradish?

Keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect horseradish?

The main ones are leaf spot. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with horseradish?

Give it a bed or large pot of its own to stop the roots wandering. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest horseradish?

Dig the roots from autumn through winter, when the flavour is strongest. Grate fresh for sauce — the heat fades fast once cut, so use it quickly.

More growing guides: radishes, daikon and Florence fennel.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.