Chameleon-plant

Houttuynia cordata

Found in roadsides, fields and disturbed ground; forests and woodlands. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height: 6–20 inches
Spread: 1–10 feet
Light: Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture: Moist to standing water

See native alternatives

Houttuynia cordata — flower photograph — Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original photograph

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At a glance

Life cycle: Perennial
Leaves: Deciduous
Bloom: May to July

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Recorded in 6 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Saururaceae
Hardiness: Zones 4a–10b
Flower color: Green or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “May to July” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Green or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 4a–10b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “6–20 inches” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Leaves · “Deciduous” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Frequent standing water; Moist; Occasionally wet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “1–10 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Chameleon Plant; Chinese Lizards Tail; Fish Mint

Conservation status

Virginia rank	Not available
Global rank	GNR
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source