Originating from Japan, the wasabi plant can also be successfully cultivated in New Zealand, though it requires patience and care, taking 18 to 24 months to mature. Mimicking their natural habitat in Japan's shady, rocky riverbeds with flowing water, they thrive best in New Zealand when grown in part shade and in free-draining containers. When harvesting the wasabi rhizome, you can propagate the plant by removing and planting its small side shoots, potentially yielding 4-6 new plants from each original one. This makes growing wasabi not just a culinary venture but also a rewarding gardening project.