Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)

Chameleon Plant

The Houttuynia ‘Chameleon Plant’, Houttuynia cordata, is one of the most popular ground covers around. The Chameleon plant changes color, thus the name. You can also bring it indoors for a houseplant.

Small white flowers appear from July to August, but sometimes hard to see because of its foliage.

It is an extremely hardy groundcover and easy to grow but can become very invasive. Being similar in shape to English Ivy, it features boldly variegated leaves of red, pink, white, green, and yellow.

Houttuynia performs in full sun to light shade and needs a consistently moist soil in a well-drained area. They have a fresh, somewhat citrus-like scent when crushed.

Use Houttuynia ‘Chameleon plant’ as a groundcover, in rock gardens, with water plants, as a houseplant, or in scented gardens.

  • Fragrant Foliage Changes Color
  • Full Sun to Light Shade
  • Fast Growing Groundcover
  • Can Be Grown Indoors

Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata) Details

Common name Chameleon Plant
Botanical name Houttuynia cordata
Hardiness zone 5-9
Height 9 - 18 inches
Width 12 - 24 inches
Sunlight Full Shade
Soil condition Widely Adaptable
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Flower color Green, Red, Yellow
Leaf color Green, Red, Yellow