Houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon')
Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' is a striking, rhizomatous perennial known for its vibrant, multicolored foliage and aggressive spreading habit, thriving in wet areas.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is a highly decorative herbaceous perennial prized almost exclusively for its spectacular, variegated foliage. This cultivar showcases leaves marbled with cream, yellow, pink, and red hues, supported by bright red stems, making it a year-round focal point in the garden when properly contained. The Houttuynia genus offers unique textures, though this specific variety demands attention due to its vigor.
This plant thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and is ideally suited for boggy locations or water margins where many standard perennials struggle. While visually stunning, gardeners must understand that Houttuynia spreads relentlessly via underground rhizomes, requiring careful management to prevent unwanted colonization across borders. The mature height rarely exceeds 1.5 feet, forming a dense, colorful mat when established.
The subtle summertime blooms, featuring small greenish-white flowers accented by four prominent white bracts, add a delicate touch, but the true beauty of Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ lies in its colorful leaves. Due to its aggressive nature, careful placement, often utilizing barriers or containers, is crucial to harness the beauty of Houttuynia without compromising the rest of the landscape plan.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saururaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Greenish white with showy white bracts
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The best time to plant Houttuynia is during the spring once the danger of hard frost has passed, allowing it time to establish its rhizomes before winter. For optimal color display in Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’, ensure it receives full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade (where colors may be slightly muted). It requires humusy, consistently moist to wet soil conditions; avoid dry, sandy locations entirely.
Care involves vigilant monitoring of its spread. This plant is notorious for aggressive rhizomatous spreading, making soil barriers highly recommended if planting directly into the ground near turf or desirable borders. In water gardens, it performs excellently when grown in containers sunk into the mud, which helps restrict its vigor while allowing it access to the necessary water.
Watering must remain consistent; keep the soil moist, or allow up to 2 inches of standing water over the crowns if grown as a marginal aquatic plant. No regular fertilizing is typically required; excessive fertility can sometimes lead to less vibrant variegation. Pruning is generally confined to cutting back foliage in the fall or selectively removing runaway runners throughout the growing season. Be aware that this plant, while popular in nurseries, is actively discouraged for general home landscape use due to eradication difficulty.
Landscape Uses
Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ excels in specialized landscape niches where its love for moisture can be fully exploited. It is an outstanding choice as a ground cover for pond or water garden margins, softening the hard edge between land and water. Furthermore, it is perfectly suited for bog gardens or in deep, moist borders where competitive plants cannot survive.
When used near water features, growing Houttuynia in submerged containers is the standard practice to prevent it from overtaking the entire pond environment. This technique allows gardeners to showcase its striking foliage right at the water’s edge without risking long-term ecological impact from uncontrolled spread.
This vibrant perennial can also be used as a colorful accent when placed near less aggressive, moisture-loving companions like Iris or Caltha. The contrast between the solid greens of traditional marginals and the brilliant variegation of the Houttuynia ensures high visual impact against the backdrop of wet borders.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Houttuynia cordata is a rhizomatous perennial that typically grows 9-15” tall and spreads indefinitely and often vigorously by rhizomes. It is primarily grown as a ground cover in moist to wet areas, including aquatic margins. The cultivar ‘Chameleon’ features green leaves variegated with shades of red, pink, yellow and/or cream on bright red stems. Foliage is aromatic when bruised, and the tiny, inconspicuous flowers are subtended by four showy white petal-like bracts.
Tolerances
- Heavy Shade
Potential Problems
The primary issue with Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is its aggressive growth habit; it spreads vigorously via rhizomes and becomes extremely difficult to eradicate once established. This characteristic means gardeners must commit to strict control methods, such as physical barriers or container planting, from day one. While generally free from serious pest or disease issues, monitor for sporadic infestations of aphids or slugs, treating them immediately with targeted, eco-friendly controls if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Houttuynia suitable for?
Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 10.
How large does Houttuynia grow?
This perennial typically reaches a height between 0.75 and 1.5 feet, spreading between 1 and 2 feet wide, though its rhizomatous spread is indefinite.
What sun exposure does Houttuynia need?
For the best variegation on Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’, full sun exposure is recommended, although it can tolerate part shade conditions.
When does Houttuynia bloom?
The plant blooms from May to June, featuring greenish white flowers accompanied by showy white bracts.
Conclusion
Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ offers unparalleled year-round color, making it a spectacular choice for wet or boggy garden areas provided its aggressive spreading is managed. Understanding the vigorous nature of the Houttuynia rhizomes is key to successful cultivation of this colorful plant. Before introducing Houttuynia to your garden, confirm your local climate falls within USDA Zones 4-10 and plan for containment measures immediately.
Companion Planting
When integrating Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ into a water garden, consider pairing it with plants that share its high moisture requirements but offer contrasting foliage or bloom times. Water Iris (Iris laevigata) or upright rushes provide vertical structure against the low, spreading habit of the variegated Houttuynia. For bog gardens, native rushes and sedges offer an excellent, less aggressive textural complement.
Seasonal Care Calendar
In early spring, cut back the old foliage of your Houttuynia to make way for the new, vibrant growth emerging from the rhizomes. Throughout the summer, the most crucial task is maintaining consistent moisture and ensuring any runners escaping their designated zones are immediately curtailed. During fall, while the plant can be cut back, leaving some dried foliage can offer a bit of winter protection in colder zones (4-6).
