Habitat

Wasabi is indigenous to the tropical habitat of southern Japan.  It is most often found in wet places along mountain streams.  Because the root is a rhizome that thrives in flowing water, the herb can even be found developing in a stream.  When it is being cultured instead of growing wildly, it is often cultivated near streams for the pungent rhizomes.  Wasabi can be grown commercially hydroponically, which means the roots are growing in a nutrient-rich solution instead of soil.