Wasabi Japonica 'Green' - 3 Plugs

• Rhizomes packed with heat and flavour
• Grows well in shade
• Leaves and stems can be added to salads
• Delicious with a wide range of Japanese dishes

Up for a gardening challenge? Try growing your own wasabi! The big heart-shaped leaves make a great feature in shady areas and the pungent rhizomes can be used to make wasabi paste which adds a kick to a wide range of Japanese dishes. You’ll need to be patient, as the rhizomes take 2-3 years to mature, but while you’re waiting, you can use the leaves and stems to spice up summer salads.

Wasabi grows naturally on riverbanks high in the Japanese mountains, and loves shade and moist but well-drained soil. Mature plants can produce leaves 60cm high and 1m wide, as well as clusters of small, lightly scented white flowers in spring.

How you will receive your plants:

Selected by our team of experts and sent from our nursery, you will receive your super plugs in plug trays in a box. These are designed to keep your plants secure and to prevent damage in transit. Super plugs need to be potted on before planting out.

Can’t plant straight away?

If you aren't able to plant your seedlings out straight away then ensure they stay moist. You can place your plugs on a saucer or tray of shallow water so they are able to stay hydrated. Aim to have your plugs potted on within 3 days.

Potting seedling plugs on: On arrival place your plug trays in shallow water to allow them to soak ensuring the rootballs are moist. Use the end of a pencil or a narrow dibber to gently tease your plugs out of their trays. Choose potting on pots approximately 3 inches in diameter to plant your plugs on. Fill the pots with quality potting on compost and tap down until level. Use your pencil to make a hole in the top of the compost and place your plug plant in, gently pushing around the base of the plant. Repeat this process for all of your plugs and then place them in a tray and thoroughly water with a watering can using a fine rose to prevent the compost from being displaced. Grow your plants in a cold-frame, large sunny windowsill,  or greenhouse. Water every 2-3 days and more frequently if sunny to prevent drying out.

Hardening off: Once your potted on plants reach a good size and are ready to plant out in their final location, the first step is to harden them off before moving them outdoors permanently. This involves simply placing them outdoors during the day and back undercover at night to allow them to get accustomed to the lower temperatures. Once they have been hardened off for a week your plants should be ready to plant out in their final location.

Wasabi needs reliably moist, but free-draining soil, so dig in plenty of organic matter such as garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure when planting.

Feeding and aftercare: Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Slugs will eat the young leaves so protect them with gravel around the plants, copper bands or nematodes. Apply a thick straw mulch in autumn to protect the plants over winter.

The rhizomes (swollen stems) form below ground level at the bases of the stems and take 2-3 years to mature. A mature rhizome will be around 15cm (6in) long.

*Planting and flowering months below are subject to seasonal weather conditions.