description
Horseradish is a perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family with large, variably sized (up to 2' long), dock-like, toothed, shiny, dark green leaves and insignificant, whitish flowers which appear in summer in terminal panicles. An extremely vigorous plant that crowds out most weeds and is itself weed-like, with a very spreading growth habit (particularly if the roots are not harvested every year).

common names & nomenclature
The word horseradish is from the 1590s. It combines the word horse (formerly used as an adjective meaning "strong, large, or coarse") and the word radish. Despite the name, this plant is poisonous to horses.

Also known as:
cochlearia armoracia, mountain radish, great raifort, red cole, moutarde des allemands

Horseradish is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. It is now popular around the world.

climate
Grows best in full sun, favor damp locations such as by streams, grown in cultivated gardens.

soil
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Soil rich in organic matter will produce the largest, most pungent roots.

growing
Plants rarely produce viable seed. Usually grown as an annual (i.e., plant root cuttings in spring and harvest roots in late fall).

harvesting
Typically harvested in fall, however roots may be harvested at any time (they can remain in the soil year-round, but should be harvested no later than the following spring). Root is dried and powdered for later use.

preserving
Store dried horseradish root powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.