Reynoutria spaethii Plant Care
Reynoutria spaethii (Dammer) Moldenke
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Persicaria orientalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae, known as kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate and princess-feather. It was first described, as Polygonum orientale, by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Reynoutria spaethii?
Water Reynoutria spaethii 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 Reynoutria spaethii?
Reynoutria spaethii (Reynoutria spaethii) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Reynoutria genus.
Reynoutria spaethii displays an aggressive spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Reynoutria spaethii produces small, greenish-white flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Reynoutria spaethii?
Reynoutria spaethii 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 Reynoutria spaethii Need?
Reynoutria spaethii thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Reynoutria spaethii Prefer?
Reynoutria spaethii grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Reynoutria spaethii prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Reynoutria spaethii?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Reynoutria spaethii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Reynoutria spaethii?
Feed Reynoutria spaethii 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 Reynoutria spaethii?
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 Reynoutria spaethii?
Reynoutria spaethii can be propagated through division, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to reynoutria ciliinervis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Reynoutria spaethii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets
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 Reynoutria spaethii?
Reynoutria spaethii 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 Reynoutria spaethii Need?
Reynoutria spaethii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Reynoutria spaethii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Reynoutria spaethii 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.
Reynoutria spaethii 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 spaethii (Dammer) Moldenke, family Polygonaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 68: 675 (1941)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Reynoutria spaethii 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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