Love wasabi?
Want to grow your own?
It’s easier than you think. Check out these 6 tactics to successfully grow wasabi at home.
Fresh, spicy, and straight from your garden.
Let’s get growing!
Find the Right Location
Wasabi is super picky about where it grows. It loves cool, shady spots.
Try to find a location that gets some shade throughout the day but also gets enough light. Avoid places with direct, strong sunlight.
Aim for a space with temperatures between 45-75°F. If you’re in a hotter region, consider growing your wasabi indoors or in a greenhouse.
The goal is to mimic its natural, mountain stream environment.
Get the Right Soil
Wasabi has a preference for rich, well-draining soil. You could use a mix of organic matter and sand to help with drainage.
The soil’s pH should be between 6 and 7. You can test your soil and amend it if necessary.
Make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Too much water can lead to root rot, and you definitely don’t want that for your wasabi plants.
Water Regularly
Water is key for wasabi. Keep the soil consistently moist, but never soggy.
Wasabi plants love a steady water supply. If you’re growing them indoors or in pots, make sure the containers have good drainage holes.
Using a drip irrigation system can help maintain the right moisture level. Always use clean water, as wasabi is sensitive to impurities.
Watch Out for Pests
Like all plants, wasabi can attract some unwanted visitors. Keep an eye out for aphids, slugs, and snails.
You can use organic pesticides or try natural remedies like neem oil to keep these pests at bay. Regularly check the undersides of leaves and other hidden spots where pests like to hang out.
Early detection is key to keeping your wasabi healthy.
Feed Your Wasabi
Your wasabi will need some nutrients to grow strong. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a month.
Fish emulsion and seaweed extracts are great choices. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can burn the roots.
You want to give your plant a little boost, not overwhelm it. Regular feeding will help your wasabi plant thrive and produce those flavorful rhizomes.
Harvest Carefully
Patience is a virtue when it comes to wasabi. It takes about 18 months to 2 years for the rhizomes to be ready for harvest.
When the time comes, gently dig around the base of the plant. Carefully lift the whole plant out to avoid damaging the rhizomes.
Trim off the leaves and roots, and you’ll have your very own homegrown wasabi. Enjoy!