Japanese knotweed is a non-native invasive species of plant.
It was introduced into the UK as an ornamental garden plant in the 19th century, and since has spread across the UK.
It is commonly found along:
- roadsides
- waste ground
- railway embankments and cuttings
- spoil tips that are made up of waste material from mining or quarrying.
What Japanese knotweed looks like
See a description and photographs of Japanese knotweed on the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) website.
What to do if you find Japanese knotweed
Private land
You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your private land, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.
Visit GOV.UK for guidance on how to prevent Japanese knotweed spreading.
Public land
If you find Japanese knotweed on public land, such as a park or greenspace, report it to us by email to admin.greenspaces@medway.gov.uk.