Chameleon Plant Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' (Saururaceae - Lizard's Tail Family) Notes: Due to its invasiveness, the best practices to contain its spread is to place it in a restricted root zone area (of about 1' deep), such as that bounded by a sidewalk and foundation, or by planting it in a large, wide pot with minimal drainage holes, and planting the pot in the landscape. Non-variegated foliage reversions should be immediately removed by digging up that particular stem and crown, to prevent it from predominating with its greater vigor. Slow to emerge in Spring. Propagation: by crown division, or lifting and division of the underground rhizomes in spring or autumn.  Diseases: Virtually no disease or pest problems. Flowers: miniature, and relatively inconspicuous,  occurring in June and July. Houttuynia cordata is a deciduous ground cover with striking multicolored foliage, adaptable to fairly dry or soaking wet sites and full sun to partial shade conditions. This is an invasive moisture lover that is great if container grown by the side of a pond, but risky if left unrestrained in a small garden. It is a medium sized herbaceous perennial ground cover native to Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas, that will grow to 1' tall. The leaf coloring of this plant is probably the most exotic of that found among any hardy plants, with red, cream, green, orange, and all found on a single, deciduous leaf which is scented of oranges.   Chameleon plant will grow in a pot on a marginal shelf of a small pool, and It will also do well in pots which are kept well watered. However you grow it, chameleon plant will make a distinctive effect in the garden.   Light: Full sun to partial shade; best range of bright foliage coloration occurs in full sun to partial sun, but overall vigor is often best in partial shade, where the foliage color fades to greens and maroons.  Soil: Continuously moist, well drained soils of average fertility is best, but it is quite tolerant of wet sites (including aquatic gardens) and is adaptable to poor, compacted, and/or dry soils. Hardy from zone 5 to 8.