Also known as Curly Dock · Drogomir (romanian) · Garden Patience
Patience Dock (Rumex patientia) is a leafy perennial herb with a long taproot, historically used as a potherb and in traditional medicine.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, but can tolerate some shade.
Consistent Moisture
50% intensity
Keep soil evenly moist, especially in dry weather. Water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Adaptable
25% intensity
Hardy and tolerates a wide range of temperatures. Prefers cooler weather for optimal leaf growth.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Light Feeding
25% intensity
Requires minimal fertilization. A light organic feed in spring is usually sufficient.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Patience Dock prefers consistent moisture, especially during establishment and dry periods. Water deeply when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry. Avoid waterlogging, as this can lead to root rot.
Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production. Remove flower stalks if you wish to prolong leaf production and prevent the plant from becoming woody.
Cut back dead foliage in late autumn or early spring to maintain a tidy appearance and prevent disease.
Patience Dock is easily propagated by seed sown directly outdoors in early spring or late summer. It can also be propagated by division of established clumps in early spring.
Simply dig up the plant and separate the root ball into smaller sections, replanting them immediately.
Patience Dock is a perennial that generally thrives when left undisturbed in the ground. If container-grown, repot every 2-3 years in spring as needed to accommodate root growth.
Use a well-draining potting mix and ensure the new pot is only slightly larger than the current one.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Patience Dock (Rumex patientia)
Where Patience Dock (Rumex patientia) is found
Density
Tap map to explore
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Genus | Rumex |
| Species | Rumex patientia |
Similar in genus Rumex
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
