Japanese knotweed is a non-native plant that inhabits both urban and rural areas. It's the fastest-growing invasive species in the UK, and it spreads rapidly, often overwhelming other plant life. It can also cause huge issues for homeowners, as the presence of knotweed can reduce a property's market value.

In response to the problems posed by Japanese knotweed, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) developed an extensive assessment framework for surveyors to reference when inspecting an infested property.

Japanese knotweed has a bad reputation, and deservedly so. This invasive plant grows fast, and it’s very difficult to get rid of.

However, it could be argued that the UK media have exaggerated the threat posed by Japanese knotweed. Some news reports would have you believe that the plant can bulldoze entire houses if left to grow unchecked—but while the plant can cause a number of issues for homeowners, actual structural damage is very rare.

Japanese knotweed is one of the most infamous invasive species in the UK, known for its ability to rapidly spread and thrive in any condition and its difficulty to remove. Whilst you may be very familiar with Japanese knotweed, you may not have heard of a very similar plant, Giant knotweed.

Giant knotweed and Japanese knotweed have very similar names, and indeed are both members of the Fallopia family, a species of flowering plants native to Asia. However, some people use the names ‘Giant knotweed’ and ‘Japanese knotweed’ interchangeably, but it’s worth knowing that these are in fact two different plants.

One of the reasons why Japanese knotweed has become such a menace in this country is its ability to spread rapidly. These days, knotweed can be found all over the UK, from Aberdeen to Plymouth - but some places are more heavily infested than others.