SHORT ANSWER: Japanese knotweed flowers are usually white, but dwarf Japanese knotweed - a related species - sometimes grows pink flowers. Additionally, there are several other pink-flowered plants that are commonly mistaken for Japanese knotweed.
Japanese knotweed can be identified by a number of distinctive characteristics: the bamboo-like stems, the heart-shaped leaves, and the clusters of flowers that appear in late summer.
These flowers are quite small, and they're usually white or cream in colour.
Are Japanese knotweed flowers ever pink?
While Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) flowers are almost always white, there is a somewhat common variant called dwarf Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica var. compacta) that sometimes grows pink flowers instead.
If you've found a plant that has pink flowers but otherwise looks just like Japanese knotweed, there is a chance that you may be dealing with dwarf Japanese knotweed. As that name suggests, dwarf knotweed is shorter than its better-known relative, and the leaves are a darker shade of green, but in most other aspects the two plants look very similar.
That being said, there are plenty of other pink-flowered plants that can easily be mistaken for Japanese knotweed. You may have to call an expert in order to find out exactly what's growing in your garden!
Japanese Knotweed Identification >
Plants with pink flowers that look like Japanese knotweed
Here are some examples of plant species that grow pink flowers but otherwise resemble Japanese knotweed:
- Bindweed - Bindweed has heart-shaped leaves and grows very quickly, not unlike our old friend Japanese knotweed. But the flowers are relatively large and shaped like trumpets, whereas knotweed flowers are very small and grow in clusters.
- Buckwheat - Like knotweed, this plant has a stem that could almost be mistaken for bamboo. However, its flowers (which may be white or pink) are noticeably larger than Japanese knotweed flowers. Buckwheat is also much shorter than Japanese knotweed.
- Himalayan Balsam - This plant is very tall and has hollow stems, so you can understand why some people mistake it for Japanese knotweed. However, the flowers and leaves of Himalayan balsam look very different to those of Japanese knotweed.
More Plants That Look Like Knotweed >
If you're unsure whether or not you have Japanese knotweed growing on your property, call Taylor Total Weed Control on 029 2039 7554 and request a free knotweed survey.
Our highly-trained Japanese knotweed experts are able to identify this invasive plant and recommend a suitable treatment programme if necessary. Japanese knotweed spreads very quickly, so it's a good idea to take action ASAP if you think it's growing on your land.
Contact Taylor Total Weed Control >
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