Tartary Buckwheat Plant Care
Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Fagopyrum tataricum, also known as Tartary buckwheat, green buckwheat, ku qiao, Tatar buckwheat, or bitter buckwheat, is a domesticated food plant in the genus Fagopyrum in the family Polygonaceae. With another species in the same genus, common buckwheat, it is often counted as a cereal, but the buckwheats are not closely related to true cereals.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tartary Buckwheat?
Water Tartary Buckwheat every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Tartary Buckwheat?
Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Fagopyrum genus. Tartary Buckwheat is also known as Wild Buckwheat, Indian Wheat, Rye Buckwheat.
Tartary Buckwheat displays a tall upright annual growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Tartary Buckwheat produces small white to pink flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tartary Buckwheat?
Fagopyrum tataricum 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 Tartary Buckwheat Need?
Tartary Buckwheat thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tartary Buckwheat Prefer?
Fagopyrum tataricum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Tartary Buckwheat prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tartary Buckwheat?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Tartary Buckwheat to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tartary Buckwheat?
Feed Tartary Buckwheat every 6 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 6 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 Tartary Buckwheat?
Not applicable - grown as an annual. 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 Tartary Buckwheat?
Tartary Buckwheat can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to buckwheat plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tartary Buckwheat 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 Tartary Buckwheat?
Tartary Buckwheat is susceptible to aphids, flea beetles, cutworms. 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 Tartary Buckwheat Need?
Tartary Buckwheat grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Tartary Buckwheat as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Tartary Buckwheat 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 Fagopyrum genus — compare its care with other Fagopyrum species on PlantoScan.
Fagopyrum is part of the Polygonaceae plant family — browse all Polygonaceae genera and species.
Tartary Buckwheat 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: Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn., family Polygonaceae (first published in Fruct. Sem. Pl. 2: 182 (1790)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Tartary Buckwheat 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Tartary Buckwheat Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species