Delavay's Meadow-rue Plant Care
Thalictrum delavayi Franch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Thalictrum delavayi, Chinese meadow-rue, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae native to China. Growing to 1.2 m (4 ft) tall by 60 cm (24 in) wide, it is a herbaceous perennial with leaves divided into many small leaflets, and panicles of lilac flowers with green or white stamens in summer.
Every 3–5 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Water Delavay's Meadow-rue every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it part shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Delavay's Meadow-rue Native To?
What Is the Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Delavay's Meadow-rue (Thalictrum delavayi) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Thalictrum genus. Delavay's Meadow-rue is native to China. Delavay's Meadow-rue is also known as Chinese Meadow-rue.
Delavay's Meadow-rue displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Delavay's Meadow-rue produces fluffy clusters of tiny flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Thalictrum delavayi 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 Delavay's Meadow-rue Need?
Delavay's Meadow-rue thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Delavay's Meadow-rue in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Part shade to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Delavay's Meadow-rue Prefer?
Thalictrum delavayi grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Delavay's Meadow-rue prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Delavay's Meadow-rue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Feed Delavay's Meadow-rue 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 Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Divide and repot every 3-4 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 Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Delavay's Meadow-rue can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine meadow-rue plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Delavay's Meadow-rue Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Delavay's Meadow-rue, 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 Delavay's Meadow-rue?
Delavay's Meadow-rue is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Delavay's Meadow-rue Need?
Delavay's Meadow-rue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Delavay's Meadow-rue is native to China. In cooler regions, grow Delavay's Meadow-rue as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Delavay's Meadow-rue 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 Thalictrum genus — compare its care with other Thalictrum species on PlantoScan.
Thalictrum is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Delavay's Meadow-rue copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Thalictrum Species
Other Thalictrum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Thalictrum delavayi Franch., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 33: 367 (1886)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Delavay's Meadow-rue, 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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