Chinese climbing knotweed Plant Care
Reynoutria multiflora (Thunb.) Moldenke
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pleuropterus multiflorus is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae native to central and southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. It is known by the English common names tuber fleeceflower and Chinese (climbing) knotweed.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese climbing knotweed?
Water Chinese climbing knotweed every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Chinese climbing knotweed?
Chinese climbing knotweed (Reynoutria multiflora) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Reynoutria genus. Chinese climbing knotweed is native to central and southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. Chinese climbing knotweed is also known as Many-flowered knotweed.
Chinese climbing knotweed displays an aggressive spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Chinese climbing knotweed produces small, greenish-white flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese climbing knotweed?
Reynoutria multiflora requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Chinese climbing knotweed Need?
Chinese climbing knotweed thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese climbing knotweed Prefer?
Reynoutria multiflora grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Chinese climbing knotweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese climbing knotweed?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Chinese climbing knotweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese climbing knotweed?
Feed Chinese climbing knotweed every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Chinese climbing knotweed?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Chinese climbing knotweed?
Chinese climbing knotweed can be propagated through division, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to reynoutria ciliinervis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese climbing knotweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Chinese climbing knotweed?
Chinese climbing knotweed is susceptible to japanese knotweed psyllid, japanese knotweed leaf miner. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Chinese climbing knotweed Need?
Chinese climbing knotweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Chinese climbing knotweed is native to central and southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. In cooler regions, grow Chinese climbing knotweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Chinese climbing knotweed is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Reynoutria genus — compare its care with other Reynoutria species on PlantoScan.
Reynoutria is part of the Polygonaceae plant family — browse all Polygonaceae genera and species.
Chinese climbing knotweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Reynoutria multiflora (Thunb.) Moldenke, family Polygonaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 68: 675 (1941)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Chinese climbing knotweed is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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