Buckwheat

Fagopyrum esculentum

Fast-growing warm-season grain — flowers six to eight weeks from sowing. Exceptional phosphorus scavenger and an outstanding bee plant during its short flowering window.

Hardiness ratings

Buckwheat hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 2–10 −45.6 °C to 4.4 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 2–9 −40 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–6 −15 °C to 15 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Buckwheat doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Phosphorus scavenger — root exudates make unavailable soil phosphorus accessible to following crops
  • Frost-tender — sow only after last frost
  • Major bee forage when flowering — produces a distinctive dark, strongly-flavoured honey

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Buckwheat against your zones

Reference

Buckwheat on Wikipedia