Wasabi originally comes from distant Japan. Hardly any of us will know under what conditions it grows there. For example, is it used to extreme cold? Or do we have to protect it in winter?

Wasabi is only partially hardy and should be kept in pots in areas with harsh winters

Wasabi needs to get through the winter

Wasabi plants grow perennial. A one-year cultivation, as practiced with some "foreign" plants, would not be worthwhile here. It takes two to three years before the coveted rootstock is harvested, during which time it develops to a usable size. So every owner has to be prepared to get the plant through at least two winters. And this time of year can get very rough in this country!

The Japanese horseradish is only conditionally hardy

Originally from Japan, wasabi is also known as Japanese horseradish because of its sharpness. However, it is not closely related to the hardy horseradish. In fact, he is not used to cold winters in Japan. Under certain circumstances, however, the plant can survive low minus temperatures in good health.

Protect planted specimens

Seedlings that you grow outside in the bed or near a pond can survive temperatures down to -8 °C in winter, provided they are prepared:

  • Only plant wasabi in sheltered locations
  • cover before the first frost
  • with a thick layer of foliage or bark mulch

In mild regions and in mild winters, there is a good chance of survival. However, in harsh areas and unexpectedly icy winters, the wasabi can freeze to death despite protective measures. Therefore, cultivation in a pot is a safe, because mobile growing place.

Overwintering potted plants

A wasabi planted in a pot would not survive a freezing winter outside, even with protective measures. But that doesn't matter, because the plant is always mobile with the pot and can change its location in good time before the onset of winter.

  • hibernate in a winter quarters in the dark
  • at temperatures just above 0 °C
  • for example in the basement or a garden shed
  • However, there must be some light, so place it close to a window

Care during the winter

During the winter rest period, wasabi does not require any further care, except that its need for water must also be satisfied then. Both plants outside and in the winter quarters have to be watered from time to time so that the soil does not dry out completely.

Category:

Vegetable garden