Wasabi Mephisto Red

Description

Wasabia japonica ‘Mephisto Red’ – wasabi (red)

Botanical name: Eutrema japonicum ‘Mephisto Red’ (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 green leaves flushed and veined with red, 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 Red’ is a striking leafy herb with glossy red-flushed leaves, grown for its intensely pungent foliage and roots. Like all wasabi it needs cool, shaded, permanently moist conditions to thrive.

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

The red-tinted form of wasabi is especially handsome, its glossy leaves veined and flushed with red, but it needs exactly the same cool, wet, shaded conditions as the green form to succeed. Think of its native mountain streamsides: permanent moisture, cool roots and shade are essential, so a damp, shaded pond edge or a pot standing in water is the way to grow it.

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