Growing Houttuynia in a pot

How to grow Houttuynia in a pot?

The Houttuynia cordata, native to China and Japan, is known as a perennial plant of wet environments. A quality ornamental plant as a groundcover, it is very suckering in the garden and benefits from being planted in a pot, where it will be contained in its spreading. It then becomes a beautiful foliage plant in partial shade, or even in sunlight for the variegated variety of red and pink, especially as it boasts lovely flowering for several weeks in summer. A balcony, terrace, or partially shaded patio are ideal places for its development, with particular attention to the container, which should retain maximum freshness and be of substantial size to allow it to settle well and cascade gracefully.

The type species, Houttuynia cordata, as well as the variegated leaf variety ‘Chameleon’, are both suitable for pot cultivation. The delicate flowering of the cultivar ‘Flore Pleno’ is also highly appreciated for its double inflorescences.

Houttuynia with double flowers ‘Flore Pleno’

What type of pot to choose?

For this water-loving perennial, you should choose a non-draining pot to retain the moisture of the substrate, and one that is large enough to accommodate its rhizomes which will naturally spread quickly.

The ideal material is therefore a non-porous one: a large zinc basin for example is perfect, as it has no holes in the bottom and, when placed in the shade, it will not suffer from sunlight, which is often detrimental to this type of material.

Any other non-draining pot will do, in terracotta if you have your other pots in this material (but you will need to be more vigilant with watering as it is porous), in plastic or composite materials which have the advantage of retaining moisture well and being cheaper, perhaps in enamel, lightweight for a balcony or in concrete for a surface like a terrace…

It is also important that it has a sufficiently wide diameter for the Houttuynia to properly establish its root system: at least 60 cm, or more if you can find a nice non-draining container in those dimensions. Basin-shaped pots are particularly recommended.

→ Learn more about the advantages of different types of pots, with advice from Olivier.

What substrate to use?

Houttuynia needs a rich soil, but well-drained. You will use a mixture of good potting soil and garden soil, or if you don’t have any, add a few handfuls of sand to lighten the mix. A nutritious leaf compost is an interesting addition if you can obtain some to properly nourish the substrate.

→ Learn more about using potting soils with Virginie’s tips: How to choose good potting soil?

Houttuynia in a pot requires rich soil

When and how to plant houttuynia?

Plant it preferably in spring when all risk of frost has passed, ideally in March or April, or in September-October.

Soak the pot or container in water for a few minutes to thoroughly moisten it. Remove the pot from its container and place the plant in the chosen, un-drained container, previously filled with potting soil. Water generously to ensure the substrate is well moist.

Where to place it?

Houttuynia thrives best in filtered shade or partial shade (morning or late afternoon sun). If you have a small courtyard or a poorly lit patio, this is the perfect spot to reserve for this type of plant: it can accompany a pot garden made up of remarkable foliage plants that also enjoy semi-shaded areas. Your pot of Houttuynia can thus be placed alongside glossy Farfugiums, horsetails, and other semi-aquatic plants like it. Its lovely white flowers will also bring a lot of freshness and light to this area. In the north of the Loire, it can tolerate more sun as long as it is not scorching.

The variegated red variety, the famous Houttuynia ‘Chameleon’, requires a bit more sun.

On a balcony, Houttuynia cascades beautifully when placed at height. Also, take advantage of the aromatic qualities of Houttuynia’s foliage by installing it in a large planter near the kitchen window, where you can use it for Asian-inspired dishes!

Watering and fertilising

The Houttuynia cordata requires soil that remains cool! Remember that it is a semi-aquatic perennial that can even be submerged by a few centimetres in shallow water. Therefore, you will need to take special care when potting your Houttuynia, knowing that plants in pots always require more watering than if they were planted in the ground.

A generous watering to thoroughly moisten the substrate will be essential for your Houttuynia to thrive. Depending on your region and the amount of shade the plant receives, you should water it abundantly twice a week. The soil should always remain moist by checking with your finger. An organic mulch will be helpful to keep the soil cool and will also enrich the substrate over time.

Add compost each spring to enrich it.

Flowers and foliage of Houttuynia

Entretien

Perennial plant par excellence, once established, Houttuynia requires no special maintenance. It is not known to have any pests or diseases. The plant enters dormancy in late autumn, reappearing in spring.

You can propagate it if you wish to give some away or obtain new plants to enhance a patio or balcony. Proceed by division in March or April, before the plant starts to grow, by cutting fragments of rootstock with buds or developing shoots. Place them in 9 cm pots previously filled with a mixture of potting soil and compost, or if you don’t have that, just potting soil. Keep the substrate consistently moist until the plant develops. Propagation by cuttings in late spring also works, but will be more hit-or-miss.