If you notice tiny “heart-shaped” leaves emerging in your garden, it could signal a potential £15,000 bill heading your way.
These leaves are indicative of a destructive plant that proliferates through its underground roots, causing damage to property.
Treatment for Japanese knotweed can range from a few hundred pounds to as much as £15,000, depending on how early you address the issue.
However, there’s also the potential for legal complications if the plant spreads to a neighbour’s property and you were aware of it.
And if you intend to sell a property infested with the weed, you’re legally obligated to disclose its presence, along with any management plan in place.
According to David Sayce, managing director of Compare My Move, concealing or misrepresenting Japanese knotweed during a property sale can lead to legal repercussions, including the possibility of being sued.
One key indicator of Japanese knotweed is the emergence of red and purple shoots in late spring, as noted by Taylor Weed Control.
These shoots eventually develop into leaves, further indicating the presence of the plant.
Weed experts told the Mirror that the leaves of Japanese knotweed are shaped like love hearts and can grow up to 20cm in length.
However, despite this seemingly romantic appearance, it’s important not to be deceived by it.
The green leaves with reddish veins are a significant indicator of the troublesome Japanese knotweed plant.
Gardening expert, Kendal Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said: “Japanese knotweed shoots look similar to bamboo shoots growing two to three metres tall.”
In spring, Japanese knotweed displays shield or heart-shaped leaves with a pointed tip, growing at staggered intervals along the length of its shoots. These leaves can reach up to 20cm in length.
During winter, the plant’s leaves die back, leaving only brown, dead-looking canes above ground.
Come late summer, bunches of creamy white flowers emerge, growing amidst the foliage.