Log in Start trial

Houttuynia

Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion'

Design with this plant

Overview

Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' is a vibrant, low-growing perennial featuring heart-shaped leaves splashed with hues of red, pink, yellow, and green. Thriving in USDA zones 4-8, it flourishes in moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade, reaching a height and spread of 6-12 inches. Noted for its rapid growth, it adds a colorful groundcover or water garden accent but can be invasive, so containment is advised. Fragrant white flowers appear in summer.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 4–11Type Ground cover, Perennial

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — reaching a height and spread of 6-12 inches

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Medium
USDA zones: 4–11

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Ground cover, Perennial
Family: Saururaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (85)

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — Its bold foliage pairs well with more subdued shade-loving plants

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — providing a striking contrast in textures and colors

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — which display an artistic mosaic of green

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — Thriving in USDA zones 4-8

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — commonly known as Chameleon Plant; noted for its rapid growth

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — It is known for its heart-shaped leaves

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — This vivacious plant can reach a height of 6 to 12 inches and spreads to about 18 to 24 inches; the, image 77

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — reaching a height and spread of 6-12 inches; providing a striking contrast in textures and colors

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — preferring moist to wet soil conditions; regular maintenance may include trimming back runners to prevent

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — Noted for its rapid growth

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — making it an ideal choice for water gardens; ground cover / perennial with yellow blooms, image 80

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — Regular maintenance may include trimming back runners to prevent unwanted spread

Houttuynia (Houttuynia Cordata 'Chamelion') — so containment is advised

Photographs by 8 contributors

Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0 · source
David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
小石川人晃, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dalgial, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
cultivar413, CC BY 2.0 · source
Meneerke bloem, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Related plants

Lizard's Tail (Saururus Cernuus) — aquatic with white blooms

Aquatic

Lizard's Tail

Saururus Cernuus

Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis Californica) — aquatic / perennial with white blooms

Aquatic

Yerba Mansa

Anemopsis Californica

FullUSDA 8–11

Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta (Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd') — resembling a drinking gourd

Ground cover

Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd'

Deep ShadeUSDA 3–9

African Daisy (Arctotis Hybrids) — The African Daisy (Arctotis hybrids) brings vivid color to any garden

Ground cover

African Daisy

Arctotis Hybrids

FullUSDA 8–10

African Daisy (Dimorphotheca Aurantiaca) — commonly known as African Daisy

Annual

African Daisy

Dimorphotheca Aurantiaca

FullUSDA 9–10

African Iris (Dietes Iridioides) — Low maintenance, it's ideal for accent planting and mass groupings in diverse landscape designs; is a hardy and versatile

Perennial

African Iris

Dietes Iridioides

FullUSDA 3–11