You’ve been warned about this impossible-to-eliminate plant.
There are plenty of shrubs, trees, and flowers you shouldavoid plantingin your garden.
That’s why you should avoid chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) at all costs.
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Its pretty multicolored leaves and easy care make it tempting to plant for ground cover color in the garden.
It can take full sun, full shade, and soggy conditions.
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What Is Chameleon Plant?
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“But it’s so pretty!”
Chameleon plant hasbrightly colored foliagethat blends shades of red, pink, green, and yellow in attractive combinations.
What we call chameleon plant isHouttuynia cordata’Tricolor,' and it gets its name from those distinctive leaves.
It grows to 9 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide and spreads through underground rhizomes.
It’s native to southeast Asia, including China, Thailand, India, Korea, and Japan.
Unfortunately, this plant spreads like there’s no tomorrow.
Thick networks of roots snake through the ground.
Pieces that fall on the ground take root."
Those thick networks make it very difficult to eradicate once they take root and start spreading.
What’s worse, it is a hardy grower throughout the South and canthrive in almost any condition.
Chameleon plant will grow, and fast.
Then it will likely lose its visual interest when the leaves fade to green.
Herbicides are not especially effective on this plant.
Pave over your garden with a foot of concrete."
The plant also has Feng Shui principles, such as balancing energy and promoting good fortune and stability.
Chameleon plant grows aggressively and can quickly take over other plants in the garden.
It tolerates low light and grows to 4 feet tall.
It’s a low-maintenance houseplant.
Chameleon plant has variegated heart-shaped leaves and grows outdoors as a ground cover.
August 29, 2022.
