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About Heart Leaf
Chameleon Plant is an aggressive groundcover with a creeping habit that spreads by rhizomes. It grows one to two feet in height and can spread along the ground as it grows. It is very shade tolerant but not drought-tolerant. It prefers moist soil to shallow water (1-2 in)
Taxonomy
Houttuynia cordata
Houttuynia
Saururaceae
Piperales
Also known as
Fishwort, Fishwort, Fish mint, Fish leaf, Rainbow plant, Chameleon plant, Heart leaf, Fish wort, Chinese lizard tail and Bishop's weed

How to care for Heart Leaf

How often to water your Heart Leaf

every 9
Heart Leaf needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Fishwort in your home

a window
Heart Leaf love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Heart Leaf does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Heart Leaf in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Heart Leaf

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Heart Leaf after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Heart Leaf can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!
Water Needs
Heart Leaf prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Heart Leaf requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Soil
Heart Leaf does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Heart Leaf is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.
Growth Pattern
Heart Leaf grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Heart Leaf can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Heart Leaf can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Care Summary for Heart Leaf
Heart Leaf
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
