Houttuynia cordata Chameleon - The Plant That Changes Colour

Chameleon Plant

Houttuynia cordata, commonly known as the chameleon plant, is a fascinating addition to any garden. With its vibrant foliage, fragrant leaves, and ability to thrive in wet and dry conditions, this hardy perennial earns its reputation as one of the most versatile and eye-catching ground cover plants. Whether planting around a pond, filling in a damp border, or adding contrast to containers, Houttuynia cordata delivers beauty and resilience.

This remarkable plant is admired for its adaptability and the striking variegation in its leaves. It brings bold colour, texture, and movement to areas often tricky to fill, such as boggy corners or the margins of water features. Once established, it requires little attention, making it a top choice for low-maintenance planting schemes. In this guide, you’ll discover how to grow and care for this unique perennial to enjoy its colourful display throughout the growing season.

What Makes Houttuynia Cordata Special?

The chameleon plant stands out for its lush, heart-shaped leaves, which boast a stunning mix of green, cream, yellow, and pink. As the seasons change, so does the colouring—hence its name. This colour-shifting ability makes it a living feature in your garden that evolves, offering a dynamic display from spring to autumn.

Another notable feature is the scent. When the leaves are crushed, they release a distinct aroma, often compared to orange peels or coriander. This fragrant quality adds another layer of sensory appeal, making the plant enjoyable on multiple levels. Small white flowers appear in warmer months, adding a delicate touch to its otherwise bold presence.

How do you choose the best location?

Houttuynia cordata Chameleon thrives in many locations, but it’s particularly at home in moist, shaded spots. It flourishes in full sun too, especially in cooler areas, although more sunlight may intensify the leaf colour. Partial shade, however, helps maintain the vibrant variegation without risking leaf scorch in hotter regions.

This makes it perfect for damp borders, shady beds, pond edges, or rain gardens. It’s also an excellent choice for underplanting around trees or in areas where lawn grass struggles. While it tolerates a range of soil types, moisture retention is key, so clay soils, loam, or organic-rich beds are all good choices.

What Are the Best Growing Conditions?

This robust perennial spreads via underground rhizomes, making it highly effective as a ground cover. However, it also requires some control. It performs best in consistently moist soils, though it will survive brief dry spells if well established. Aim to keep the soil damp but not waterlogged for optimal health and leaf colour.

It can grow directly in shallow water up to a few centimetres deep, making it perfect for aquatic planting baskets or the margins of ornamental ponds. Ideally, the soil pH should fall between 6.0 and 7.5, though Houttuynia cordata tolerates slightly more acidic or alkaline conditions without complaint.

How to Plant Houttuynia Cordata?

When planting Houttuynia cordata in the garden, dig a shallow hole and place the plant so the crown sits 1 cm below soil level. Firm in gently and water well. Space plants 30–40 cm apart to allow for natural spreading over time. In wetter soils, you’ll find it establishes rapidly.

For aquatic settings or damp containers, plant in a fine-mesh aquatic basket filled with rich soil, and submerge the pot just enough so that water covers the base but not the entire crown. Consider installing a root barrier or planting in bottomless pots sunk into the ground to restrict spreading in regular borders or raised beds.

How do you use it in Garden Design?

Houttuynia cordata shines when used thoughtfully in garden design. Its bold foliage adds drama to shady corners and complements softer-textured plants like hostas, ferns, and astilbes. Wildlife gardens provide low shelter for insects and ground-dwelling creatures, while their blooms attract pollinators in early summer.

Use it to create vibrant ground cover in rain gardens, or soften the edges of ponds with its colourful leaves spilling over rocks or edging. It pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses and can be used in bold swathes or as a contrasting accent among darker-leaved perennials.

Houttuynia cordata: Chameleon Tricoloured Leaves and Flowers

The real showstopper is the foliage, which shifts through gold, red, cream, and green hues as the season progresses. In late spring to early summer, the plant sends up spikes of tiny white flowers surrounded by large, petal-like bracts. While not its main feature, these blooms add extra interest during the early part of the growing season.

What About Seasonal Interest?

From spring’s fresh flush to autumn’s richer tones, Houttuynia cordata provides a long season of interest. The variegated leaves catch the light beautifully and change as the temperature and daylight shift. In winter, the plant dies back to its roots, particularly in colder regions, only to re-emerge vigorously once spring arrives again.

Are There Different Varieties?

Yes, and each has something unique to offer. The most well-known is ‘Chameleon’, famous for its tri-coloured leaves in cream, red, and green. ‘Flame’ is a newer introduction that further intensifies these colours and is often considered more compact.

‘Variegata’ displays subtler cream and green tones, while the species form features solid green leaves and a strong citrusy scent. This plain variety is particularly vigorous, so it’s best kept in check or confined to containers.

I’ve grown Houttuynia cordata ‘Flame’ in my garden for a few years now, and its bold colour still takes me aback, as does how effortlessly it lights up the damp corners of my borders. What I love most is its ever-changing foliage—those fiery reds and golds come alive in summer, especially after a bit of rain. I keep mine in a sunken container to manage its spread, and it’s been a great solution. It’s low maintenance once established, but it adds such a punch of character that it looks like it needs more fussing than it does. If you’ve got a tricky, moisture-retentive spot or a pond edge that needs livening up, I can’t recommend it enough. Just be mindful of its enthusiasm—a plant that likes to roam!

Key Points to Remember:

• Thrives in moist to wet conditions
• Works well as both a ground cover and a pond plant
• Control the spread through container growing
• Regular maintenance prevents invasive behaviour
• Provides year-round interest through foliage
• Tolerates both sun and shade locations
• Perfect for bog gardens and water features
• Easy to grow and maintain with proper care

Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is a bold and versatile plant that brings lasting colour, texture, and fragrance to damp and shady areas of the garden. Whether grown as ground cover, near water, or in containers, its vibrant foliage provides visual interest from spring to autumn. With a bit of care to manage its spread, this hardy perennial can become a standout feature in your planting scheme, proving that beauty and adaptability can go hand in hand.

Check out the RHS article here.

Explore Campsis x tagliabuana Indian Summer — another tried and tested favourite of mine.

For more information on Herbaceous Perennials for your garden, please click here.

Q: What is the Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ plant?

A: The Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is a vibrant perennial aquatic plant recognised for its colourful heart-shaped leaves, which can display shades of green, yellow, and red. It’s often called the chameleon plant due to its ability to change colour based on light and environmental conditions.

Q: Can I grow the chameleon plant in my garden?

A: Absolutely! The chameleon plant is perfect for aquatic gardens and can thrive in borders. It tolerates various conditions, so whether you have sun or shade, it can adapt nicely.

Q: How does the Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ spread?

A: This plant is known for its wide-spreading, rhizomatous growth. Its roots send out stems that can create a lovely collection of vibrant foliage, making it a fantastic choice if you want to fill space in your garden.

Q: What type of soil do I need for the chameleon plant?

A: The chameleon plant prefers well-drained, gravelly soil, but it can also tolerate a bare root setup if you’re planting it in water. Please make sure the roots are submerged for the best growth.

Q: How much sunlight does the Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ need?

A: This vibrant plant is quite adaptable! It can thrive in full sun or partial shade, making it versatile for different garden setups. Just look at it to see what it prefers in your specific environment.

Q: How big can the chameleon plant get?

A: Under the right conditions, the Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ can grow up to 3 feet wide. It’s a low-growing plant, making it great for filling spaces without overshadowing taller plants.

Q: When is the best time to plant the chameleon plant?

A: The chameleon plant is recommended for planting in the spring or early summer, when it can establish its roots and thrive during the warmer months.

Q: Does the Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ attract any wildlife?

A: Yes! The masses of white flowers that bloom can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making your garden a lively spot. The vibrant foliage adds a splash of colour that enhances the aquatic atmosphere.

Q: Are there any specific care tips for the chameleon plant?

A: To keep your chameleon plant happy, moisten the soil, especially during dry spells. You may need to trim it back occasionally to control its spread and encourage bushier growth.