Fo-Ti

Fo-Ti
Polygonum multiflorum (syn. Fallopia multiflora)

Fo-Ti, known in China (phonetically) as He Shou Wu, literally means “Mr. He with black hair.” According to Chinese lore from the Tang dynasty, a frail, prematurely gray man named He wandered into the mountains and noticed an entwining vine with twin tubers growing together. After consuming the root regularly, his health returned, his vitality increased, and—most famously—his white hair turned black again. He lived to an advanced age, married late in life, and fathered many children. From this story, Fo-Ti became associated with longevity, restored vitality, fertility, and resilience with age.

Fo-Ti is a robust, perennial climbing plant that spreads readily and benefits from a trellis or fence for support. The heart-shaped leaves are set on red-tinged stems, while the plant’s large, bulbous root is traditionally harvested only after at least two years of growth. Fo-Ti is among the most widely used tonic herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, where the prepared root has long been associated with supporting the function of the blood, liver, and kidneys. Historically, it has been used in formulas addressing conditions such as vertigo, insomnia, lumbago, and constipation, and has been valued as a long-term tonic rather than a quick intervention.

In the garden, Fo-Ti should be given space. Potentially invasive, it benefits from regular pruning and thoughtful placement. It is drought-tolerant once established, prefers full sun to partial shade, and is hardy as a perennial to USDA Zone 7.