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Value-for-money

Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata
Chameleon Plant, Heart-Leaved Houttuynia, Fish Mint

4,8/5
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There it is, the citrus trees have started to grow in my woodland. The fragrance of the leaves is somewhere between coriander and citrus zest.

Thomas, 25/04/2023

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

Value-for-money
Perennial ground cover with fast growth, spikes of yellowish-green flowers, and large white bracts on dark green foliage with bronze highlights.
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
60 cm
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Damp soil
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Best planting time February to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November
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Flowering time June to July
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Description

Houttuynia cordata is a small perennial ground cover plant, with dark green foliage with bronze reflections that can become invasive in suitable conditions.

Also called Chameleon Plant or Heart-Leaved Houttuynia, Houttuynia cordata has very aromatic foliage, often used as a condiment in Asian cuisine.

Apart from its unique flavour, Houttuynia cordata is mainly cultivated for its ornamental foliage. In spring, stems with heart-shaped leaves appear. In early summer, the plant produces conical flowers, with 4 large white bracts.

With rapid growth, Houttuynia spreads through its numerous running underground rootstocks. It can even become invasive in rich and waterlogged soils. Very hardy and easy to grow, it prefers to grow in partial shade in any rich, moist, and heavy soil, even clay.

Plant it in the border of a partially shaded flower bed alongside epimediums, periwinkle, or Pachysandra.

Houttuynia cordata in pictures

Houttuynia cordata  (Flowering) Flowering
Houttuynia cordata  (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time June to July
Inflorescence Spike

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 60 cm
Growth rate fast
Suckering/invasive plant

Botanical data

Genus

Houttuynia

Species

cordata

Family

Saururaceae

Other common names

Chameleon Plant, Heart-Leaved Houttuynia, Fish Mint

Origin

West Asia

Planting and care

Houttuynia cordata grows spontaneously in shaded and humid places. It can be very invasive in waterlogged soils along rivers or ponds. It will thrive in any rich, damp, and heavy soil, even clayey soil. In our garden, we plant them in the shade, at the base of large trees, as the relative drought that prevails there limits their growth. It is a shame that the foliage disappears in winter as this plant could have become an excellent year-round ground cover plant.

Planting period

Best planting time February to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge, Pond edge
Type of use Edge of border, Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 3 per m2
Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, Rich

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,8/5
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