Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) adds vibrant hues to gardens with its variegated leaves in hues of red, green and yellow. An easy ground cover option that thrives around ponds and bog gardens alike, the Chameleon Plant pairs beautifully with moneywort, coral bells, lobelia and canna.
However, when grown wild this plant can become highly invasive and rapidly spread through rooting rhizomes that root and spread horizontally. Chemical herbicides such as glyphosate are effective at eliminating its presence.
Leaves
Chameleon plants thrive under various growing conditions, from low light levels to moderate shade conditions and preferring temperatures between 68 to 100 degF (20 to 38 degC). Direct sunlight may scorch its leaves, so placing this plant partially shaded would be best to preserve its vibrant colors and prevent leaf scorch.
While chameleon plants can be pretty hardy, they still require some special care in order to be healthy and flourish. Be sure to water often enough to keep their soil moist but be wary not to overwater; too much moisture can lead to root rot. Furthermore, excessive fertilization can harm them; thus it’s wiser to use slow-release organic fertilizer when watering chameleon plants.
Like other houseplants, chameleon plants should be kept free from drafts and extreme hot or cold temperatures. Additionally, placing it in a sunny spot with indirect light allows it to receive its natural lighting without being scorched by harsh sunlight.
Chameleon plants boast attractive foliage as well as stunning blooms that attract butterflies and bees, drawing both their pollination. However, its poisonous flowers should be avoided; nevertheless they provide sweet fragrance.
Promoting Chameleon plants via cuttings is an effective and simple way to expand their presence both at home and for sale. Simply take stem cuttings from existing chameleon plant specimens using sharp scissors or knife and submerge them in water until new roots begin forming.
Chameleon plants thrive in garden beds, yet many prefer container gardening for easier daily access. As these fast-growing plants boast stems and rhizomes that spread both aboveground and belowground, it is important to give it enough room.
Roots
Chameleon plant is a densely-branched weed that poses a threat to native plant communities in wooded and wetland areas, and listed as an invasive species by many states. Additionally, this aggressive spreader can become an eyesore in gardens and landscaped areas where its sprawling growth crowds out other plants while spreading through rhizomes and pollination. Once established in an area, it can be difficult to eradicate as its thick networks of roots quickly absorb both water and nutrients from its surroundings – making eradication a difficult challenge once established there.
The Chameleon Plant can flourish in both full sun or shade conditions and most soil types; clay is particularly slow-growing. It thrives best in damp environments and often serves as an accent in natural or artificial waterways, such as bog gardens or rain gardens where its blooms pair nicely with canna, beebalm, elephant ears, corkscrew rush, moneywort. Due to its tolerant nature it’s often planted as ground cover in wet areas where potted growth prevents invasive expansion.
As with most tropical plants, the chameleon plant requires moderate sunlight and warm temperatures, with an ideal range between 68 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Too much direct sunlight may scorch its leaves while too little light could stunt its development.
As the chameleon plant tends to develop rot quickly, its soil must be well-draining in order to remain healthy. A looser loamy mix works best as this type of soil holds more water and nutrients effectively.
Make regular checks of the roots of chameleon plants to make sure they don’t become clogged or rotting, which could prevent essential nutrients from reaching them and cause irreparable harm to their health.
If your chameleon plant has been growing in its current pot for an extended period, it may be time to repot. Repot it using soil that has not been treated with chemicals that could harm them; and move to smaller containers in order to promote faster growth.
Seeds
Houttuynia cordata seeds, commonly referred to as fish mint, rainbow plant, heart leaf or chameleon plant, spread via underground rhizomes or seeds. Their lemony-flavored seeds make this culinary herb widely utilized throughout Asia as fresh or cooked edible fresh and cooked culinary uses are consumed both fresh and cooked. With antibacterial and antiviral properties as well as appetite suppressant qualities as well as detoxifying body tissues properties this plant has also been utilized as treatment against pneumonia, abnormal lung symptoms as well as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
The Chameleon Plant can thrive both in shaded conditions as well as full sunlight conditions, and as a floating plant in water gardens or ponds with up to 2 inches of standing water depth according to Missouri Botanical Garden. Due to its adaptability in varying climates, this versatile landscaping choice may be particularly appealing to gardeners having difficulty growing certain plants.
Chameleon plants don’t need to be watered very frequently as too much moisture can actually harm them; when watering, gardeners should use only lukewarm water and aim for the soil rather than its leaves. Chameleons bloom from May to June with white or greenish-white blooms.
Though chameleon plants require little care and maintenance, gardeners should occasionally trim back branches that touch the ground to prevent roots from taking hold and spreading further. Gardeners may also mow over it periodically; just be careful as their leaves can be toxic if eaten!
As Chameleon Plant is an aggressive spreader, it is wise to plant it in areas free from deer that don’t visit frequently or use structures such as fences, sidewalks or mulched areas to stop its expansion. Otherwise it will overrun gardens quickly and smother other plants – should this become too much, remove and burn or cover with black plastic/polyethylene mulch which will slow its growth allowing other flowers or vegetables to take over more quickly. Toronto Master Gardeners suggests these options to contain Chameleon Plant as it quickly takes over all areas that don’t get planted properly in this manner allowing other flowers or vegetables or flowers time to establish themselves before being replaced with Chameleon plants as it could become overgrown by Chameleons!
Nuisance
Houttuynia cordata, commonly referred to as the Chameleon Plant, is an aggressive groundcover that spreads quickly. To combat it effectively, manual digging out unwanted plants and extracting their entire rhizomes should be repeated regularly throughout the season as new sprouts appear. If this proves time consuming or too time consuming for you, herbicides may also be utilized – just ensure they’re appropriate for your local geography; consult an agricultural specialist before choosing the ideal product for your situation.
The Chameleon Plant is a familiar sight in many gardens, often being appreciated for its ability to change colors with sunlight changes. Unfortunately, some gardeners find the plant to be an eyesore as it outcompetes other plants for sunlight and water while growing rapidly into dense clumps that are difficult to remove. Therefore, it’s crucial that gardeners learn how to manage it so it won’t overtake their garden space.
Gardens living near deer may turn to the Chameleon plant for a hardy and visually appealing alternative that won’t be quickly devoured by deer. Chameleon plants thrive in many different climates and boast stunning flowers which add beauty to any garden space.
This houseplant makes an excellent addition to low-light conditions and requires very minimal watering needs, making it suitable for low potted situations; however, large pots tend to cause its roots to rot easily under too much moisture.
Vietnamese cuisine typically employs the chameleon plant as an edible garnish or salad ingredient, with its leaves having a fresh, aromatic flavor some compare to coriander. Its official Vietnamese name is diep ca; other reported names (such as vap ca) could have resulted from writing errors in early Western accounts.
The Chameleon Plant contains several compounds which have medicinal applications, including myrcene, 2-hendecanon and limonene. Furthermore, its extract can also help treat respiratory conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis.
