Description
Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' (also sold as 'Tricolor'), known as chameleon plant, is grown for its aromatic, heart-shaped leaves, splashed with cream and yellow and heavily flushed red. Small white flowers appear in summer.
Chameleon plant at a glance
| Botanical name |
Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' (syn. 'Tricolor') |
| Common name |
Chameleon plant, heart-leaved houttuynia |
| Plant type |
Spreading perennial; dies back in winter |
| Height and spread |
About 15–30 cm tall, spreading 50–100 cm |
| Flowers |
Small white flowers with white bracts, June to August (RHS: from late spring) |
| Position |
Full sun or part shade; best colour in sun |
| Soil |
Moist to wet soil or wet mud; any pH |
| Pond depth |
Wet mud or shallow water; Waterside Nursery allows a shelf up to about 14 cm deep |
| Hardiness |
RHS H6 – hardy in a very cold winter (-20 to -15°C) |
| Native to |
East Asia (not UK native) |
Does chameleon plant spread?
Yes, a lot. It spreads by underground stems, especially in wet soil, and the RHS warns it can become a nuisance. It regrows from small pieces of root. Always grow it in a basket and trim the roots that escape.
Where to plant it
- The shallow edge of a garden pond, in a basket
- Wet mud at the pond margin
- Moist to wet soil in sun or part shade, kept in a basket
How to plant and care for it
Plant from spring to late summer in moist to wet soil. Leaf colour is best in sun. As a non-native plant, keep it to garden ponds and do not plant it near natural water.
Which size should I buy?
Bare-root plants (7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive without a pot or compost and are the most economical way to plant a group. Potted plants (9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive growing in our peat-free compost and give a faster display. Packs of 3 come in 7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre bare-root sizes and cost less per plant. The 2x Pot & Compost option is two plants supplied with pots and compost.
