Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

heart-leaved houttuynia 'Chameleon'

Synonyms

Houttuynia cordata 'Tricolor'

Aquatic Bogs Herbaceous Perennial

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A wide-spreading, herbaceous perennial to 30cm in height, with fragrant, variegated leaves splashed and margined cream, often heavily red-flushed. Dense white and cream flower spikes appear in late spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Saururaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Houttuynia are rhizomatous perennials with pungently orange-scented, heart-shaped leaves and tiny yellow flowers in spikes with usually 4 prominent white bracts at the base
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Tolerant of a range of soils from dry to wet in sun or shade. Can be prone to extensive spreading, especially in wet soils, by underground stems and therefore has the potential to become a nuisance. Ideal for containers where its spread can be restricted. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or take semi-ripe cuttings of young basal shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

Divide regularly to limit spread

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free