Japanese Burnet Plant Care
Sanguisorba obtusa Maxim.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sanguisorba obtusa, the Nanbutouutisou(Japanese name.No English name), is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to Japan. (Honshu).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Burnet?
Water Japanese Burnet every 7–10 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 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Japanese Burnet Native To?
What Is the Japanese Burnet?
Japanese Burnet (Sanguisorba obtusa) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Sanguisorba genus. Japanese Burnet is native to Japan.
Japanese Burnet displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Japanese Burnet produces unique bottlebrush-like flowers in red, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Burnet?
Sanguisorba obtusa requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Japanese Burnet Need?
Japanese Burnet thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Burnet Prefer?
Sanguisorba obtusa grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Japanese Burnet prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Burnet?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Burnet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Burnet?
Feed Japanese Burnet 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 Japanese Burnet?
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 Japanese Burnet?
Japanese Burnet can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to salad burnet plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Japanese Burnet Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese Burnet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Japanese Burnet?
Japanese Burnet is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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 Japanese Burnet Need?
Japanese Burnet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Japanese Burnet is native to Japan. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Burnet as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Japanese Burnet 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 Sanguisorba genus — compare its care with other Sanguisorba species on PlantoScan.
Sanguisorba is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Japanese Burnet 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: Sanguisorba obtusa Maxim., family Rosaceae (first published in Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg , sér. 3, 19: 160 (1873)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese Burnet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. 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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