Horticulture/Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to between 20 and 80 cm. The lower stems trail along the ground and spread by producing adventitious roots, while the upright stems grow vertically to flower. The leaves are alternate, broadly heart-shaped, 4–9 cm long and 3–8 cm broad. Flowers appear in summer, and are greenish-yellow, borne on a stem 2–3 cm long with 4-6 large white basal bracts which resemble petals. The cultivar 'Chameleon" has bright, multicolored leaves, and is desirable for this flashy foliage more than for its flowers. Aggressive spreading of the plants can be stopped by growing them in containers or by using a rhizome barrier