Fish mint / Fish leaf

Plant family

Lizard's-tail family (Saururaceae)

Also known as

Rainbow Plant, Chameleon Plant, Heart Leaf, Fish Wort, Chinese Lizard Tail

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Seeding distance

25 cm

Row spacing

25 cm

Seeding depth

10 cm

Instructions

Description

Newt's tail, heart-shaped houttuynia, lizard's tail, chameleon plant or variegated leaf is a species of plant in the genus Houttuynia, which belongs to the lizard-tail family (Saururaceae). It forms creeping rhizomes, which roots at its nodes. The plant reaches growing heights of 5 to 60 cm. Used as a vegetable, spice, ornamental and medicinal plant, ground cover and aquarium plant.

Growing tips

Not all species / varieties of Houttuynia cordata are winter-hardy, and some should be planted out only after the Ice Saints. Very vigorous and loves a moist, well-drained soil. Thrives ideally in a sunny location. However, some varieties also like shade. Propagate by division. Good with marsh gladiolus, lady's mantle and meadowsweet. Sometimes called an invasive plant because it reproduces by rhizome formation from all parts of the plant. Not susceptible to disease or pests, only drought troubles the plant.