Fish mint ( Houttuynia cordata ) , also known as chamaeleon plant life or lizard tail , is a herbaceous perennial that can be quite invasive in the garden . It is native to Asia and has become naturalize in many parts of the populace , including North America . While it may be appreciated for its attractive foliage and small whitened flowers , its fast-growing spread habit can quickly become a pain .
In terms of sizing , Pisces the Fishes mint typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 foot , with a spread of about 3 foot . This can make it a suitable choice for filling in empty spaces or provide solid ground book binding in certain areas of the garden . However , its ability to spread rapidly through underground rhizomes is what nominate it a thought-provoking works to bring off .
One of the master return with Pisces stack is its unpredictability . Once established , it can send out rhizomes in various directions , making it difficult to control or hold its growth . This can result in the plant popping up in unexpected locations , even several metrical unit away from its original planting spot . This invasive behavior can promptly push out other plants and take over garden beds if left ungoverned .
I have in person experienced the invasive nature of Pisces the Fishes stack in my own garden . A few years ago , I found a small patch of it as a ground covert in a shaded area . At first , it seemed like a great choice , as the leave had a lovely variegated pattern and the flower total a touch of light . However , within a duet of growing season , the plant had propagate sharply , catch nearby flora and even encroaching on the lawn . Despite my efforts to dig up the rootstalk and contain its growth , it remain to pop up in new areas each class .
To control the spreadhead of fish mint , some gardeners resort to growing it in container or using barrier such as plastic edging or recondite trenching to prevent the rootstalk from spread . even monitoring and persevering removal of any new shoots that appear alfresco of the desired planting domain are also necessary to keep it in check .
to boot , fish mint flourish in dampish soil condition , so reducing watering or provide well - drained land can help slow down its increase . However , it is worth noting that this industrial plant is cognize for its power to tolerate a extensive range of growing conditions , including both sun and shadiness , so it can be quite bouncy and adaptable .
While fish mint may have some attractive qualities , such as its vary leafage and delicate flower , its invasive nature and aggressive spreading substance abuse make it a thought-provoking industrial plant to manage in the garden . If you choose to grow it , be prepared for its unpredictable growth and take proactive measures to keep in line its spread .
Caroline Bates
