Is chameleon plant invasive?

The chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) is an easy-to-grow ground cover that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 10. The plant can grow in a variety of conditions, and without proper management, it becomes aggressively invasive.

How does chameleon plant spread?

Chameleon Plant is a aggressive groundcover with a creeping habit that spreads by rhizomes. It grows one to two feet in height and can continuously spread along the ground as it grows. It is very shade tolerant but not drought-tolerant, preferring moist soil to shallow water (1-2 in.)

Is chameleon plant poisonous to dogs?

Ceramic, metal, and stone planting pots seem to work well, but plastic will eventually degrade at chameleon plant’s strong rhizomes can push through it within a couple of years. It is not known to be toxic to fish, humans, dogs, cats, or any other organisms.

How do you take care of a chameleon plant?

Chameleon plant grows best in moist, humusy soil and full sun or part shade. (But note the brightly variegated leaves develop better color when grown in full sun.) It readily tolerates 2 or more inches of standing water, which makes it a great plant for growing along a stream or pond, or in a water garden.

Do Chameleon plants stink?

The leaves and stems DO have an unpleasant smell when first cut, but the leaves make attractive and long lasting foliage in cut flower arrangements.

Does a chameleon plant have a smell?

Not unpleasant, but not pleasant, either. In the clump, there’s a distinct smell, but it’s no worse than the nearby black walnut. However, houttuynia is a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines — both the leaves and roots.

Do chameleon plants smell?

It will take over your entire garden and then will encroach in your grass. Very deep roots that will only break off and keep growing underground when you yank them. I keep digging them out and can’t rid my garden of this villan. And they stink, too!!

Is chameleon plant a perennial?

Variegated Chameleon Plant is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

What does chameleon plant smell like?

And it’s maybe vaguely fishy, but also a bit citrus. Not unpleasant, but not pleasant, either. In the clump, there’s a distinct smell, but it’s no worse than the nearby black walnut. However, houttuynia is a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines — both the leaves and roots.

Why is it called chameleon plant?

Chameleon plant has brightly colored foliage that blends shades of red, pink, green, and yellow into attractive combinations. What we call chameleon plant is Houttuynia cordata ‘Tricolor,’ and it gets its name from those distinctive leaves.

How tall do chameleon plants grow?

Chameleon Plant grows 6-12″ tall in moist soil and full sun to part shade. Great in pots and containers or at the base of taller specimens to hide the container. Chameleon Plant has red, pink, green and cream colors variegated throughout the leaves.

Is a chameleon plant evergreen?

This is a stunning, semi-evergreen, clump forming perennial bearing wonderful, white, bowl-shaped flowers which are often pink-flushed from February to… Beautiful large daisy-like flowers on tall stems are the main reason why bees, butterflies and other wildlife love this flower.