wasabi
wasabi - wasabi japonica
Delivery options
- Standard £5.95
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: March to April
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Belonging to the Brassicaceae family alongside horseradish and mustard, this Japanese staple thrives in cooler, cloudier summers, making it a prized addition to gardens. Wasabi demands a shady spot, shunning direct sunlight and preferring a cool (8-20°C) temperature range with ample humidity, to allow its leafy growth to flourish. Cultivating this culinary gem at home offers a bounty of aromatic rhizomes, lending sushi a distinctive sweet and peppery pungency when grated. But the edible adventure doesn't stop there; its leaves and flowers, boasting a milder, fresher flavour, elevate salads and tempura dishes to new heights of delight. As early spring beckons, clusters of fragrant white flowers appear, offering yet another tantalising treat for the adventurous palate. Perfect for pond edges or containers, this resilient plant endures temperatures down to -5°C, shedding its leaves in winter.
Prepare the ground prior to planting with plenty of organic matter. Thriving in well-drained yet moist soil, wasabi can be grown in pots or open ground in shaded, humid spots, avoiding excessive heat or direct sunlight. Harvest from April to October but protect plants in northerly regions of the UK during colder months with mulch or horticultural fleece during severe or prolonged frost.