Wasabi Mephisto Green

Description

Wasabia japonica ‘Mephisto’ – wasabi (green)

Botanical name: Eutrema japonicum ‘Mephisto’ (syn. Wasabia japonica)
Common names: Wasabi, Japanese horseradish
Family: Brassicaceae (cabbage family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial herb
Habit: Clump-forming, leafy
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 30–45cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Large, glossy, rounded bright green leaves on long stalks
Flowers: Small white flowers in spring; grown for its foliage and roots
Scent: Pungent when cut or crushed
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Reliably moist to wet, humus-rich, cool; never dry; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 7–9
Exposure: Cool, shaded, sheltered
Native range: Species native to Japan
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic, though the foliage and roots are intensely pungent

Wasabi ‘Mephisto’ (green) is an unusual leafy herb with large glossy green leaves, grown for its intensely pungent foliage and roots. It thrives only in cool, shaded, permanently moist conditions such as a stream margin.

GardenAdvice notes

A leafy perennial from the cool, wet mountain streamsides of Japan, wasabi is an unusual and rewarding herb to grow, valued for its pungent, mustard-hot foliage and roots. It is quite particular in its needs — it demands cool, shaded, permanently moist conditions and dislikes heat, drought and full sun — but given the right damp, shady spot it makes a handsome, glossy-leaved plant.

Growing & planting

Plant in reliably moist to wet, humus-rich, cool soil in partial to full shade — it thrives beside water and in damp, shaded spots, and must never dry out or overheat. It is ideal at a shaded pond or stream margin, in a bog garden, or in a large container kept permanently moist and shaded. Space about 45cm apart.

Care & maintenance

The key to success is constant moisture, cool roots and shade — never let it dry out or bake. Mulch to keep the roots cool and damp, and shelter it from hot sun and drying winds. Remove any tatty leaves. In a container, keep it standing in a saucer of water in a shaded spot. Water generously and often.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide offsets in spring.
• Seed: Can be raised from fresh seed, though this is slow and tricky.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free if its exacting moisture and shade needs are met; its main problems are drying out, overheating and too much sun, all of which cause it to fail. Slugs may graze the foliage.

Uses in the garden

A novelty and talking point for a cool, damp, shaded spot — a shaded pond or stream margin, a bog garden, or a permanently moist, shaded container — where few other edible or unusual herbs will grow.

Wildlife value

The spring flowers offer minor value to early pollinators; wasabi is grown chiefly as an unusual, pungent herb.

Toxicity & safety

Wasabi is generally regarded as non-toxic, though its foliage and roots are intensely pungent and hot to the taste.

GardenAdvice tip

Wasabi is a fascinating plant to grow, but it’s fussy: it comes from cool, wet Japanese mountain streamsides, so it must have shade, constant moisture and cool roots, and will quickly fail in hot sun or dry soil. Give it a permanently damp, shaded spot — a pond edge, bog or a pot standing in water in the shade — and never let it dry out.

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