Overview:
By Jennifer Gramlich
Each week, Signal Akron will help you in your gardening adventures with an excerpt from "The Root of It," a monthly newsletter from the Summit County Master Gardeners, Ohio State University Extension.
People are called chameleons when they change their behavior to please others or get ahead. This often applies to politicians, but in one case it aptly describes a plant. The chameleon plant – or houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata) – transforms from a charming ground cover to a garden bully in its quest to dominate. It is sold in nurseries under a number of names, such as Court Jester, Tricolor and Variegata.
This colorful ground cover entices with green, heart-shaped leaves splashed with shades of white, pink, yellow and red flowers that form a lime green spike surrounded by four petals. It is a hardy perennial that will win you over with its ability to fill difficult areas. Native to southeastern Asia, houttuynia thrives in both sunny and shady spots in zones 5-11 with ample moisture, or even standing water.
Once this attractive plant has lured you in and becomes established, then you’ll see its true colors. With a height of up to 18 inches and a creeping habit that spreads rapidly, it aggressively outcompetes neighboring plants.
Attempts to dig it up result in leftover root fragments resprouting en masse, as it continues to overtake adjacent vegetation. The roots can lie dormant for years before resprouting. To make matters worse, it has an odd aroma when crushed or handled, described as “fishy” (although I have a few weird friends who like the smell). Unfortunately, deer are no help with control, since they avoid it.
Eradication of established houttuynia requires a multi-year effort. A combination of lifting the plant out of the ground with a pitchfork and crumbling the dirt away from the roots is effective but labor intensive. Black plastic covering (in sun) or repeated herbicide applications can also slow the spread. Read more here.
Use caution when planting houttuynia
If you insist on taking a chance with houttuynia in your yard, here are some things to consider. Plant it near the sidewalk, driveway or foundation where cement blocks the spread, or in a 1- to 2-gallon container so the roots are contained. Planting near a lawn is a mistake as your turf will disappear in a few short years. Although it controls erosion along a stream bed, this non-native should not be introduced into a natural setting.
Houttuynia isn’t all bad. In its native habitat, the chameleon plant is harvested for use in Vietnamese and Thai cooking, where it is called “fish mint.” The leaves have a spicy coriander flavor and the roots can be eaten as a vegetable. Medicinal uses include relieving asthma symptoms and treating fever. Research has found that underground stems and roots have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Tea made from the leaves is reportedly good for cavities and mouth infections.
Truth be told, I’d stay away from this beauty. She’s not worth the trouble, and like many bad relationships, the colorful plant may revert to plain boring green after a few years. It’s finally finding its way onto invasive species lists and drawing more negative attention, yet can still be found in nurseries. When spotted, walk on by and save yourself years of regret.