The study under controlled conditions showed that short-term shading resulted in the increase of resveratrol and polydatin contents in Rumex gmelini root, while long-term shading led to the decrease of them. The increase and decrease were more obvious with increasing shading degree and time. The production of resveratrol reached the maximum in August, while that of polydatin was in September. Shading had a negative effect on the resveratrol and polydatin accumulation in R. gmelini root, but severe shading at the late growth period of R. gmelini increased the production of resveratrol and polydatin.