Cnidium officinale
Cnidium officinalefam. Apiaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. F653 — Cnidium officinale
Cnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinaleCnidium officinale
IOverview
Overview
Cnidium officinale, commonly known as Chinese rhubarb or Cnidium, is a perennial plant native to Korea and found in other regions including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and France. This plant thrives in moist conditions with light to partial sun exposure and can be grown for its edible leaves and shoots. Native to Korea, it also grows well in soils of varying types—light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay)—and reaches a height of about 0.5 meters. One distinctive feature is its ability to tolerate partial shade while still requiring full sun for optimal growth.
Quick answers
What is Cnidium officinale?
Cnidium officinale, commonly known as Chinese rhubarb or Cnidium, is a perennial plant native to Korea and found in other regions including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and France. This plant thrives in moist conditions with light to partial sun exposure and can be grown for its edible leaves and shoots.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Cnidium officinale thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). This perennial grows up to 0.5 meters tall and is hardy in temperate regions. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist while providing adequate drainage. Propagate through seeds or division of established plants. Harvest edible parts such as leaves and shoots for use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Cnidium officinale for the first time
8steps
Start with Cnidium officinale as a simple perennial in your garden for its easy care and edible leaves.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or small plants, gardening gloves, trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. Ensure soil is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) and moist.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 meters apart in the ground or transplant small plants into well-prepared soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist during establishment.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering as needed, especially during dry spells. Prune back after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain shape.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune plants in late winter before new growth starts to promote healthy foliage and prevent overcrowding.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too much direct sun, neglecting to prune after flowering.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: The leaves and shoots of Cnidium officinale are edible. Typically, they are prepared fresh in salads or cooked as a green vegetable. They can also be dried for later use. Skip the detailed recipe; focus on these basic preparation methods.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 2 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 2 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 13 native· 2 introduced
Europe8 regions
native (7)AlbaniaBulgariaFranceGreeceItalyRomaniaSwitzerland
introduced (1)Austria
Asia2 regions
native (2)South KoreaTurkey
Broader regions
native:East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Yugoslavia
introduced:Czechoslovakia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Apiaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Apiaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · f6534a56-6b68-4282-80f7-e4d4d8031e72
Decision aid
Choosing between Cnidium officinale and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.