Introduction
Kochia is another plant that adds a unique touch to the Autumn season. These bushy, rounded plants turn into vivid balls of red and pink, offering a stunning contrast to the golden and amber hues of fall foliage. In this article, you will learn about its beautiful lifecycle.
■ You Will Learn About…
・About Kochia
・Its Beautiful Lifecycle
・Best Place To See It
Brief About Kochia
Autumn in Japan is famous for its vibrant displays of changing leaves, but there’s another plant that adds a unique touch to the season—the Kochia. These bushy, rounded plants turn into vivid balls of red and pink as temperatures cool, offering a stunning contrast to the scarlet and amber hues of Autumn Foliage.
While less known than the maples and ginkgos, kochia has become a seasonal attraction by posting its sea of red on social medias. Also, the plant captivates the hearts of visitors with its unique aesthetic and cultural significance.
Cultural Significance
Though Kochia may seem like a modern addition to Japan’s autumn scenery, its presence in the country dates back hundreds of years. Originally native to Europe and Asia, this hardy plant was used in Japan through agriculture.
1. Reptation as “Brooms”
In older times, it was cultivated as a broom-making material. Its stems, once dried, provided strong, flexible fibers perfect for creating handmade brooms, known as “Hokigusa” (箒草). These handmade brooms were a household necessity in Japan’s earlier eras, connecting the plant to daily life. It was a simple and practical tradition of rural communities.
2. The Seed of Kochia, “Tonburi“
Not only for brooms but also Kochia offers Its culinary experience. After the season of scarlet, the plant make seeds for the next generation. The seed is called “Tonburi“ and is often referred to as “Land Caviar” due to its resemblance to fish roe in texture and appearance.
Tonburi is popular in Akita Prefecture and has become one of the local tastes. While the seed is low in calories and nutritious food, it is too delicate to be in outside markets. This is truly a particular taste of the region.
Beatiful Lifecycle
1. Vegetative Growth (From Late Spring):
During this phase, Kochia focuses on leaf development. The plant is bright green and bushy, with a rounded or oval shape. Its growth is rapid, reaching up to 60–90 cm (2-3 feet) tall within weeks. Its leaves are narrow and pointed, giving it a soft, feathery appearance.
The plant is extremely drought-resistant and can tolerate poor soil conditions, making it a resilient plant in various environments. It’s particularly effective at conserving water, which contributes to its hardiness.
2. Scarlet Rug (Around October) :
As temperatures cool and autumn approaches, Kochia undergoes its most visually striking transformation. The green foliage gradually turns bright pink, then deepens into a Vibrant Scarlet or fiery red by mid-October.
This change is caused by the plant’s response to colder temperatures and reduced daylight, which triggers the accumulation of pigments like anthocyanins. It arrives a high season to enjoy the colours of this magical plant.
3. Seed Dispersal (Late Autumn) :
In natural settings, Kochia relies on wind to disperse its seeds. The rounded shape of the mature plant makes it easy for the wind to carry both the seeds and the plant itself, tumbling across open land and scattering seeds as it moves.
After releasing its seeds, the plant begins to dry out and wither as winter approaches. By late autumn, the leaves and stems turn brown, and the plant eventually ties the next generation.
Place to Visit
1. Hitachi Seaside Park
The most famous place to visit is Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture. In late September to mid-October, the park’s Miharashi Hill transforms into a sea of vibrant scarlet, offering panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and sky. The plant is grown in perfect symmetry, creating a mesmerising visual spectacle.
2. Tokyo German Village
Away from the Greater Tokyo Area, Tokyo German Village welcomes you to its vast fields of seasonal flowers. During September and October, the hillsides are covered in hundreds of Kochia bushes that gradually turn from green to vibrant shades of red and pink.
3. Kochia no Sato
Kochia no Sato in Kanagawa is a hidden gem for watching the scarlet plant. You should do a short trail to get there. On the way to the garden, you can see beautiful sceneries of the Tanzawa area. Once you go inside the garden, the rush of this scarlet shines. If you are lucky, you can watch Mt.Fuji with these red carpets.
Conclusion
Actually, Kochia may not be as universally known as cherry blossoms or maple leaves, but it has certainly earned its place as one of Japan’s standout autumn attractions. Its unique appearance, vibrant transformation, and deep cultural significance make it a ruby for those who appreciate the beauty of nature.
As autumn sweeps through the country, don’t miss the chance to witness these unique plants as they light up Japan’s landscapes in shades of pink, red, and gold. The plant has the mysterious power to bring the coming of foliage season and Invite You To Fall In This Moment.
