Horseradish
Armoracia rusticana
- Native to:
- Russia, Ukraine
iNaturalist: © rysiaty_lubuskie (iNaturalist #213006212)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Armoracia
- Species:
- Armoracia rusticana
- USDA Symbol:
- ARRU4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata), Evergestis pallidata, Gothic dart (Feltia subgothica), Plutella armoraciae, Trachylepidia fructicassiella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, beneficial insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers fertile soils with organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seed germination is often poor and erratic. Most commonly propagated vegetatively from root cuttings which establish readily.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI