Wasabi (Wasabia japonica) packet of 10 seeds
$8.95
Please note: Now selling seed from the 2022 harvest. Richo
Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
Hardy to Zones 7 to 12
Herbaceous perennial native to mountain streams of Japan. Our variety is MAZUMA, which is one of the main types–beautiful, vigorous and HOT. This is the true wasabi. These cold-stored seeds must be planted in potting soil, about 1/2 inch deep, and mulched with coir or peat, and placed outdoors in COOL MOIST SHADE (not soaked in water or in running water or hydroponic setup, etc.) 5 month germination times are typical. Germination of this summer or fall planted seed is in the very early spring. By March, the seedlings will have formed 2 sets of true leaves and its time to pot them up. For example, I planted wasabi seeds 6/24/19 and they emerged on 2/16/20–nearly an 8 month induction period. In colder climates, where the propagation beds may be frozen hard, germination will occur later, usually in April or perhaps as late as May. Please note that hard freezing of the germination beds or flats may prove to be harmful for the seed, so if winter temperatures go below 20 degrees F (Zone 7), greenhouse culture is advised. Plant prefers aquaculture or shaded beds of compost, misted daily. Space plants 1 foot apart.
10 Seeds per packet, open pollinated, untreated, no gmo’s
Out of stock
Question
birolaszlo171 –
Hi Richo! I joined the waiting list. I want to buy wasabi seeds. Do you ship to Romania? Is winter transport harmful to seeds? Thanks!
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
hi birolaszlo, thank you for writing. wasabi seed is delivered fresh in the spring to summer, so cold transport does not normally occur. But cold does not harm them, either. In fact they require cold to germinate. Romania is in the EU so unfortunately the laws are very strict and we no longer ship to the EU. richo
(0) (0)
Cliff (verified owner) –
In the fall of 2018 my partner and I planted seeds directly into the soil alongside streams running through our forest. I never found any Wasabi until I noticed it last week growing in one of the sites we planted. I hope in the winter the wasabi is sheltered by the snow and warmed by the moving groundwater, oblivious to the -25F temperature outside.
I do wish we had followed your seed starting instructions. Definitely want to transplant next time. Don’t have a greenhouse however. Do you think we could use your propagation technique in our basement?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Cliff, Thanks for the report, it is a good one. Planting seeds directly in nature is easy and sometimes, as in your case, yields results. A basement isn’t a shadehouse, unfortunately. One is looking for natural precipitation to leach out germination inhibiting factors, also temperature oscillation (although Z 4 is a bit cold for it) and natural light. I don’t usually recommend cold frames because they’re pretty futzy, but a double-pane cold frame, or even a cloche would make sense for you, I think. Something to mitigate that -25, brr. r
(1) (0)
Cliff (verified owner) –
Thank you, i will try a well insulated cold frame. They can be futzy, ive used them more than i like to admit and they can easily reach 100F in late winter on a sunny day…
But for this application, it doesn’t need to be in full sun.
Now im thinking about some other things to try… i could put a tray out in a sheltered place that has enough groundwater not to freeze deep in the winter, and mulch heavily. But then i wont have that temperature variation you mention… would just be a cooler version of our basement.
Perhaps a shallow wooden box with no bottom, set in the ground near a stream and filled with potting soil might be worth a shot. Rely on the same forces of nature that kept our current wasabi alive up here in Maine, and eliminate the pressure from all the other native plants.
I’ll let you know how it goes. Hope to harvest some next year. It still looks small and is struggling to compete with the wild plants around it.
(0) (0)
Question
Charles Liew –
Can mail the seeds Overseas, Singapore?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
can not guarantee receipt, too risky
(0) (0)
Question
Mike ozzy (verified owner) –
Hi I planted the seeds and its been 30+ days are they still gonna germinate. Planted as per instructions and keep cool and shaded indoors
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
hi michael, as far as i know the seed must be planted in outdoor conditions in order to sprout–yes, outdoors in the cool shade. It takes about 5 months. we planted seeds in october and they germinated in march. richo
(0) (0)
Ursula –
Hej wysyłacie poza, granice – do Szwecji? Zależy mi na zakupie
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
nie wysyłamy do europy, ue lub szwecji. celnicy za każdym razem kradną nasiona
(0) (0)
Question
Roan –
Hi Richo,
Are you able to ship to South Africa?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
sorry, no, not successfully anymore
(0) (0)
charles n gichui –
Is this true wasabi? Cultivating is difficult and you make sound easy I’m bent to believe you growing radish
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hello charles, photos on this website are all from our own crop. if you think the photos of wasabi that we sell are radishes, then you cannot be helped. r
(0) (0)
Question
Eric –
Do you currently have wasabi seeds available for sale now?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
hi eric, sorry i think just sold out for the season. hit ewaitlist and we’ll hopefully have more midspring next year. r
(0) (0)
Patrick –
Hello, I’d love to procure some Wasabi seeds. Do you anticipate a return to stock some before year end?
Thank you,
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Patrick, sorry, no, please hit waitlist, these are shipped in season starting midspring. richo
(0) (0)
Unknown –
Hello. I am a resident of South Korea.
I wish to buy some seeds. How do I make the reservation?
I would like to make the purchase as soon as it restocks.
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
you hit “waitlist” on the item desired. it is a green button.
(0) (0)
Rose –
How might this do in Hawaii at 1200 feet? I’ve been told it’s not cold enough. No frost but temps in the low 50s during the winter. Sometimes 40s.
I have areas of natural shade and open areas, also not very good soil unless I build it up and fertilize heavily.
We can grow wetland taro here and just let the rain fill up the bed and drain out naturally. I was hoping this might work for wasabi too.
Please let me know if it might be worth experimenting, and I’ll put my name on the waitlist. thanks
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Rose, I have had other hawaii-based growers tell me its working for them. The best microclimate for wasabi is a moderate-temperatured maritime fog. The best substrate is very fast-draining. There are some youtubes on the subject you can probably find like i did. one lady was growing very successfully in river gravel. richo
(0) (0)
Question
Thiraj Wegala –
Hello, I’d like to purchase some wasabi seeds, but the quoted shipping cost to Sri Lanka is way too high, is there a cheaper option?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hello Thiraj,
Thanks for getting in touch. You would be so very lucky to get wasabi seeds in shri lanka! We are responsible for providing viable seeds and we are not responsible for the cost of shipping half way across the world.
Richo
(0) (0)
Julian –
Hi, I was wondering if you’re able to ship to Australia Richo?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Julian, I am sorry to report that after 3 decades of successful shipping to Australia, due to current unreliable handling of our seeds in customs, we are no longer attempting shipments to AUS or NZ. Richo
(0) (0)
Thiraj –
Hi, I’ve read that wasabi seeds don’t last long outside, so if I purchase now, do you have viable (new) seeds in stock? The stuff needs to be shipped to Sri Lanka, so the fresher the better! Thanks very much.
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hello thiraj,
We are selling refrigerated seed from the new harvest. I wouldn’t have this in stock if it wasn’t viable–it works just fine! yes, you can read all sorts of things on the internet, it makes sense to work with honest suppliers who actually grow the seeds. I cannot guarantee seeds to arrive in sri lanka–but you can try! Richo
(0) (0)
Jacob –
Hello, do you ship to Czech Republic? I would love to plant my own wasabi seeds!
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Jacob, Ajoy! Very sorry, we cannot ship to any country in the EU. Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Ken –
Can you deliver goods to Thailand?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
If you can successfully order, we will send you the seeds, and we cannot guarantee receipt.
(0) (0)
Fred –
Would you shop to Brazil?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Fred,
Brazilian biosecurity will not allow it,
Richo
(0) (0)
mk –
would u able to send to Malaysia and what will you be labelling in the package as?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hello MK, If you can order, we will send the seeds, and we do not guarantee receipt. Yes, we are sending them above board, labeled as seeds for customs purposes. Richo
(0) (0)
Steele –
Hi, I’m in Canada. Have you ever shipped to Canada before? I wanted to try and grow some plants inside for fun. But sometimes shipping laws are weird so i was just curious. Thanks in advance.
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi steele, we do ship to canada although we can’t guarantee receipt. probably wasabi would not be a good choice, given that it really requires a mild winter outdoor treatment to sprout. richo
(0) (0)
Question
Rien Schilperoord –
Dear Richo,
I would like to purchase your wasabi seeds, is it possible to ship them to the Netherlands?
Thanks in advance!
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hello Rien, For almost 2 years now we’ve been disallowed from shipping seeds to any country in the EU. Richo
(1) (0)
fomaco –
Good Morning~~~
I hope to your wasabi seeds. Can you deliver to Thailand?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hello! I do not think Thailand is specifically disallowed–you can try to make the order and if it works we will send the seeds. Here’s our updated policy from our website:
As of 3/25/2021 and ongoing, international seed orders including Canada are made at buyer’s own risk. We cannot guarantee delivery and in the case of non-delivery there will be no refunds or re-sends. We will receive and ship orders as always, but cannot account for the actions of foreign customs or Ag., which is the reason for this non-guarantee.
International orders (no live roots or plants) are shipped via AIR MAIL only and we do not provide phytosanitary certificates. Due to new, extremely stringent regulations, we cannot successfully ship seeds to: The EU, Montenegro or Scandinavia, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Arabia, Mexico, Central and South America or Africa. We still ship with some success to: Canada, Asia, and European countries not in the EU.
(0) (0)
Levu –
Can you send to Vietnam?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
not successfully
(0) (0)
Question
Kumi –
Hello, do you send to Mexico?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hello Kumi, We cannot successfully ship anything to Mexico. richo
(0) (0)
Anton –
Hey! Do u ship to sweden?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Due to recent laws, we can no longer ship successfully to any country in the EU.
(0) (0)
Question
Karen –
What is the germination rate
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
cut test shows 99%
(0) (0)
Akeem –
Can you ship to bermuda
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
probably not successfully
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi michael, as far as i know the seed must be planted in outdoor conditions in order to sprout. It takes about 5 months. we planted seeds in october and they germinated in march. richo
(0) (0)
Question
Sarah Sharpe –
Heat? All the comments are about the cold but where I live it’s June 14th and already 97 degrees with 80% humidity. And that’s normal. We did have a historically low freeze this year but usually it’s cold enough to snow only a few times a year. Would they do ok in the shade of large magnolia trees maybe? Also the soil is very acid, which is still rather foreign to me as I lived for 50 years where it’s very alkaline. Azaleas love it but most needs a little lime.
Would they do well outside?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hello Sarah,
Lets back up a bit. Wasabi makes its seeds in the spring and needs to be planted as soon as possible after the seeds are ripe. Thats why we’re distributing the fresh seeds now–it is both timely and necessary. If you don’t have a shade-planting setup then it is not a good idea to get the seeds. The only really good way to proceed with them is to plant in a deep flat in the shade, with a screen over the top to keep out mice, and keep the flat moist until germination, which occurs usually the following late winter. That is how one proceeds to get wasabi plants out of wasabi seeds. Once the seedlings attain their second set of true leaves, they can be transplanted out to a rich, moist bed in the shade. Acidic soil is fine. Richo
(0) (0)
Colleen –
Hi, I have a question somewhat along those lines–I live in zone 10 and while I can do a shade setup as described, we don’t really get much of a “winter” here (a few weeks with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s is pretty much it). How many chill hours do these need for germination (or is it daylength that triggers germination)? Thanks very much.
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Colleen,
I checked my records and most of my plantings have been started in July to August and germinate in February to March. I don’t think you get enough cold days in a Z 10 to effectively plant this seed in outdoor conditions. You could give 2 months cold, moist refrigeration and then sow cool and shaded. Richo
(1) (0)
Question
Peggy Autio –
Is it possible to grow this as a houseplant? I grow in zone 3 so outside isn’t an option.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Peggy,
I recommend trying the wasabi. I have many of them in my greenhouse now–they like minimal light and frequent watering so they can be grown as a houseplant and are quite handsome as such.
Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Tiago –
Olá, tem disponível, envia para o Brasil?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Desculpe, não disponível, sementes não podem ser enviadas para o Brasil.
(0) (0)
Vince Sylvester –
My Wasabi from seed are doing great. Thanks Richo for all your help!
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Antonio Varone –
can you send to switzerland?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hello Antonio, We wish we could. International shipments are almost never successful these days. Richo
(0) (0)
Hien Hoang –
Did you start the seed in the little pot first?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hello Hien, Actually I did not. The seed is best started in a row in a deep flat. This helps regulate moisture in the substrate and is a more natural condition for germination. Richo
(0) (0)
Abdallah (verified owner) –
Beautiful! How long did it take for the seeds to emerge?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hello Abdallah, yes, this info is right in the monograph– 8 months.
Richo
(0) (0)
Question
mchagunava (verified owner) –
Hi
I do live in Dubai United Arab Emirates. Will you be able to send me a wasabi seeds if I will order.
Thank you
Maya
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hello Maya,
We have often attempted to ship to UAE, but in most cases the package comes back to us. We can try to send, and cannot guarantee receipt. r
(0) (0)
Mauro Ribeiro –
Hello,
When do you aim for Wasabi seeds to be available?
Thank you
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hello Mauro,
The plants flower and make seed in the spring. Hit “waitlist.” richo
(0) (0)
Tien Cuong Nguyen –
Hi Dear,
May I the available time in 2021.
Can you send me an email when it available again?
Can you ship the seed to Vietnam and can it survive?
Thank you
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
yes, please hit “waitlist” to receive an e-mail when the new crop is ready. Vietnam is a long shot but it is not specifically disallowed. r
(0) (0)
Question
Carla –
Can your wasabia japonica plants be grown hydroponically?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Carla, Wasabi is normally grown in or around water, so hydroponics sounds like a good choice. I have had good results producing plants with large stems by growing in 1-inch rounded gravel on the floor of a greenhouse, plants kept at 70 degrees F, misted frequently, and with a 40% shadecloth over the greenhouse. I am not sure about starting wasabi seeds via hydroponic techniques–I have only had good luck starting wasabi seeds in soil in an overwintering scenario, outdoors.
Richo
(0) (0)
Fred –
Please, would you send it to Brazil and declare it as a gift (discreetly packaged)? When will the seeds became available? Thanks
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
I am sorry, we’ve given up on Brazil. Even discreetly packaged goods are opened at customs and a little biosecurity pamphlet is sent back to us.
(0) (0)
Question
Patrick C. –
It will take about a month before i get the seeds since i’m in another country, will the seeds still germinate?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
The wasabi is dried sufficiently to remain stable in storage and in shipment. The seeds will germinate if the right conditions are provided.
(0) (0)
Question
Doc –
Are these wasabi or horse radish . I’m looking for wasabi
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
They are wasabi. Horse radish doesn’t make seeds.
(0) (0)
Question
JDJ –
Mr. Richo . . . I want to buy these seeds today but I’m going out of town Tuesday. Would they survive six weeks waiting to be planted or must they be planted immediately?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello JDJ,
I suggest you buy them when you get back in town. They can be stored, but in the refrigerator is best, and they can be planted anytime from now until fall. r
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Please wait until you get back. We’ll have plenty to fulfill your needs on into fall.
(0) (0)
pedro rosario –
Boa tarde, para comprar sementes wasaby como proceder
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Portugal está na UE – não podemos enviar sementes para lá. sinto muito.
(0) (0)
Question
SHARON KOSKI –
HELLO WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THESE SEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi There,
Wasabi seeds are sold from fresh crop only. Last year the first pods came ripe on May 4th. r
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
May 2019
(0) (0)
Robert Lee Lei –
It would be great to see you making the wasabi beds, as well as hearing your advice and insight on growing that variety of wasabi! Do you have a youtube channel?
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello, Yes, here’s the link to the youtube channel, there is indeed a video on wasabi. https://www.youtube.com/strictlymedicinalllc
Richo
(1) (0)
Juliet –
Kindly advise when you get them, need them here in south africa, email julietmuchavhaira@yahoo.com
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
OK, will do. r
(0) (0)
Question
Scott Sultzbaugh –
Hello! I am interested in wasabi seeds. I know they should be coming into season soon and wondering about your availability. I fyou could contact me please.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
OK, will do, was building wasabi beds yesterday and today. it will be awhile. r
(0) (0)
Question
Brett Riske –
What type of Wasabi is this? Should I assume Daruma? Just trying to do my research. Thanks, Brett
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Mazuma
(1) (0)
Gabriella –
Hey. Is there some wasabi seeds to buy?
I would like buy 50-100 pieces.
What is the process to buy and send them to Boston?
Thanks a lot, Gabriella
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Gabriella,
I think you’re familiar with fresh seed requirement on Wasabi. The mother plants are not in flower yet, they will make seeds around April of 2019 and we will enable packets at that time. Please check back!
Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Becky Hering –
When will the seeds be available again?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
these come ripe around june or so and will be enabled for purchase at that time, until they run out. richo
(0) (0)
Question
Liv –
Hi
I am wondering when your wasabi seeds will be available again 🙂
Thankyou
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Fresh seed is essential and the new harvest begins April of 2019.
(0) (0)
Mike –
Sales of seeds will begin in April? Can they be pre ordered? Also what size are your plants?
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Mike, Yes, seeds are produced round-about April. We will enable purchase when we see the pods forming. Plants are in 4 inch pots and have currently made many smaller leaves around the crown, which is what they do in the autumn. The front and center photo online is meant to be representative of the actual plant we sell. During the summer, the same plants were 18 inches tall. Plants vary in size according to the season, we aim to provide a plant that will work well for you, which to the nurseryperson translates to: a vigorous root. Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Nathan –
When will the seeds become available?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
We’re currently filling backorders on these and will enable the item again if we have extra seed. Check back 6/30/2018.
(0) (0)
Question
Judy –
I live in Southern California. Upon receipt of the wasabi seed, can I plant it right away outside where it is ( day time) 65-75′ Fahrenheit? Is it too hot to grow wasabi outdoors? How many hours of sunlight does it need?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Judy,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. Upon receipt of the wasabi seed, you probably cannot successfully plant it right away outdoors. It takes about 8 months to germinate, and by then your spot would probably be weeded up. at 65 to 75 degrees F it is not too hot to grow wasabi. The plant requires shade, not sun, and standard temperate daylength is fine. Here are some notes pasted from the directions we have given: These cold-stored seeds must be planted in potting soil, about 1/2 inch deep, and mulched with coir or peat, and placed in COOL MOIST SHADE (not soaked in water or in running water or hydroponic setup, etc.) Germination of this summer or fall planted seed is in the very early spring. By March, the seedlings will have formed 2 sets of true leaves and its time to pot them up. In colder climates, where the propagation beds may be frozen hard, germination will occur later, usually in April or perhaps as late as May. Please note that hard freezing of the germination beds or flats may prove to be harmful for the seed, so if winter temperatures go below 20 degrees F (Zone 7), greenhouse culture is advised. Plant prefers aquaculture or shaded beds of compost, misted daily.
Bottom line, at this time of year, buy plants. They are in very good shape right now and will soon be ready to ship. This will assure your success.
(0) (0)
Question
Kristy –
How well could these be grown potted indoors, at least to start? I have zonal heating, so it wouldn’t be exposed to 70F+ room temp. I was thinking in the bathroom window where it would get misted daily from the shower steam? Thanks
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Unless you have a shadehouse setup, at this current writing, approaching spring, I suggest getting the plant instead of trying seeds. You can grow it indoors, it loves shade, high humidity, moderate temperatures.
(0) (0)
Question
jushin8848 –
Hello there.
I am writing form South Korea, and much interested in growing Wasabi, I got some question.
1. Could you tell me the that what is maximum temperature of air and water during summer. hope you could share your knowledge about Wasabi growing.
coz in Korea we have very hot summer weather around 35 C degree.
Thank you so much for your kind reply in advance.
Best regards.
Shin.
jushin8848@gmail.com
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Justin,
We can try to send seeds to South Korea but cannot guarantee receipt. Wasabi grows best at temperatures between 10 to 16 degrees C. Temperatures below 6 degrees C slow growth, and the plant may die off if temperatures dip lower than -2 degrees C. Water temperature should test between 7 and 15 degrees C. Use shade cloth or lath to create shade and reduce temperature.
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Large roots can be produced in a single year by starting early, keeping the bed protected from frost. Most growers wait 2 to 3 years before harvesting roots that range from 4 to 8 inches long. Plant prefers part shade at the edge of cool running water or a shaded and misted garden bed. We set our misters for 2 cycles daily, 10:00 and 2:00, for only 10 minutes each cycle. The beds stay soaked. Our greenhouse plants are in full flower by February, and begin to make seed in May. These seeds we sell are harvested from our own plants and kept refrigerated. Upon receipt, our cold stored seed is best planted immediately in cool, moist, shady conditions (in pots or flats left outdoors, in the shade house or a shady spot in the unheated greenhouse). We have received many correspondences from people trying to plant their seeds in streams or in baby pools. This is not likely to give any results at all.
Germination note. Due to many inquiries for more quantitative information on Wasabi seed germination, we took careful notes in the year 2012/13. The seed was planted on 6/20/2012 and germinated on 2/08/2013, an induction period of 199 days. The germ rate was 98%. RAC
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Luke –
Hello, Are you sure you dont have any Wasabi seeds left?
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Actually we do but they tend not to last very long so we are waiting for the new harvest to list them. Should be late spring 2019. Richo
(0) (0)
nrc3neal –
Hurry up, June!
(0) (0)