It can be aggressive in garden beds due to prolific self-seeding.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade quite well.

Plant guide

Redshank.

Persicaria maculosa

Pronounced per-si-KAIR-ee-uh mak-yoo-LOH-suh

Also known as Jesusplant, Lady's Thumb, Lady's-thumb, Red Shank, Redleg, Redshank, Redshank [plant], Spotted Lady's-thumb

Persicaria maculosa — Photo by John Barkla (CC0) via gbif

Redshank is a charming, fast growing plant often found in damp, disturbed soils. It is known for its distinct dark blotches on the leaves and slender spikes of pink flowers. It is a great choice if you want to add a bit of wild, meadow like character to your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to mid autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist as this plant loves damp conditions. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out too much, and remove spent flower spikes to encourage more blooms. It is quite hardy but prefers a spot with plenty of light to stay compact.

Watering: Keep the soil damp at all times.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plant tidy and encourage new growth.
Repotting: Since it is an annual, you will typically start fresh from seeds each year.
Soil: Moist, fertile loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Annual, completes life cycle in one season.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Soil drying out too quickly

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic but contains oxalates that can irritate sensitive skin or digestive tracts.
Children: The plant is not considered dangerous, but keep an eye on small children to prevent ingestion of seeds or foliage.
Contact allergens: The foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to plant hairs.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe hay fever.
Edibility: While young leaves are sometimes eaten, they contain oxalic acid and should be consumed in moderation.

How to identify it

Dark triangular blotch on leaves
Slender spikes of pink flowers
Swollen nodes on stems
Lance shaped alternate leaves

Height: 0.3 to 0.8m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.5m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: black, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
Powdery mildew · A fungal infection causing white dusty spots on leaves in humid conditions.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your redshank from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring
Overwintering: The plant dies back completely after the first frost, so simply clear away the dead stems in late autumn.
In containers: It grows well in containers if kept consistently moist, use at least a 5 liter pot.

Seed

1. Collect seeds in late autumn once they turn black.
2. Sow seeds directly into moist soil in early spring.
3. Keep the area consistently damp until germination occurs.

Pair with moisture loving perennials to ensure the soil stays consistently damp during the growing season.

Grows well with

Joe Pye Weed · They share similar moisture requirements and create a nice height contrast.
Sneezeweed · Both plants bloom in late summer and attract similar pollinators.

Similar species

Water Pepper · It looks very similar but has a much more peppery, acrid taste.

Science

Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Persicaria
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and temperate Asia.
Conservation: It is a common, widespread weed and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives as a pioneer species in disturbed, damp soils where it can quickly outcompete other annuals.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, seed source for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental, wildlife garden, pioneer species

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?: It can be aggressive in garden beds due to prolific self-seeding.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade quite well.

Where the name comes from

The name Persicaria comes from the Latin word for peach, referring to the leaf shape, while maculosa means spotted.

Good to know

It is an annual plant that grows very quickly from seed.
The dark spot on the leaf is a genetic trait that can disappear in some environments.
It is often found in disturbed soil or near water.

Keep your redshank growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.