Houttuynia

( hoo - TUNE - ee - ah )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial flowering groundcovers includes species commonly called Fish Mint or Chameleon Plant. Species need sun or shade and regular to ample amounts of water to perform well in the landscape. Leaves are heart-shaped and when crushed, release an orangey or fishy scent. These plants can spread aggressively in wet ground, and is great in container plantings. These plants go dormant in wintertime, but will regrow in springtime. Variety 'Chameleon' ('Tricolor', 'Variegata') has foliage marked with pink, cream, yellow and red. Foliage color brightens in full sun. The genus Houttuynia includes just 2 species and is a member of the plant family Saururaceae. The best growing zones for these plants are USDA hardiness zones 4-10 or Sunset growing zones 2-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. Take care when planting these ornamentals in the landscape, as they are considered invasive in North America and Australia.

Caring for Houttuynia

Take care when planting these ornamentals in the landscape, as they are considered invasive in North America and Australia. Plant Fish Mint in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.5 and 7.5 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. These plants are long-lived perennials able to survive for over a decade in the garden if given the proper care. It spreads through rhizome roots and can be divided frequently, providing new plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Caring for Houttuynia in Water
Chameleon Plant can thrive in submerged conditions, and is a popular ornamental for ponds, streams, boggy areas, and even terrariums and paludariums. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the container has some small drainage holes at the bottom. Fill with potting mix amended with compost and other organic material, and then plant the Chameleon. Place the container in shallow water so that the soil surface sits about 2 inches below the water's surface. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Caring for Houttuynia in Containers
Houttuynia are wonderful in the ground, but are considered highly invasive; growing them in pots can reduce their invasive potential. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Houttuynia plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Houttuynia plants are easily propagated through division or cuttings. To propagate your Chameleon Plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Houttuynia by Division
The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. Division should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots (again, if you will not be planting your divisions in the ground). To propagate by division, follow the instructions below:

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like. Lay them out on the ground.
If you will be planting your Houttuynia in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) in the ground with your shovel in a sunny location with soil that is well-draining. If you have issues with drainage in your garden, amend with loamy soil before planting. Backfill and water generously.
If you are transporting your division elsewhere, or hanging on to it until you're ready to plant it, you'll need your pot filled with soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.

Propagating Houttuynia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

Houttuynia plants are considered highly invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Houttuynias can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: