Things Needed
Native to Asia , the chameleon plant ( Houttuynia cordata ) grows rapidly in moist to plastered soils that are fertile and affectionate . An attractive plant with heart - shaped leaves and lily-white flowers , the chamaeleon plant is often planted as a priming coat cover charge or an accent plant in water gardens . Voracious growth via underground rhizomes and stem readily take a crap the chamaeleon plant invasive . free a landscape of this herbaceous perennial is unmanageable , requiring a holistic approach over several months or years to free the soil of all remnants of roots and rootstock .
Step 1
subdue or halt all irrigation to the area infested with Chamaeleon plant . ground wet encourage stronger root growth and more speedy dissemination of the rhizome . Drier soil in concert with hot , direct sunlight slow down the increase rate , making it easier to master chamaeleon plant .
Step 2
Put on gloves to slim down the peril of getting blisters or territory - stained hands .
Step 3
Dig into the clump of weedy chameleon plants with a garden digger . raise up root - filled clumps of soil and vacate the soil to gently founder apart the matrix of roots . Grasp the root clumps and stir them , depositing the grunge back into the bed but retain all stem and root fragments in your hand . Double comprehend the soil and rake through it with your gloved hands to off any rootstock segments that may mill about . Rhizome bits left in the soil will continue to grow and reinfest the area .
Step 4
Discard all chameleon flora parts into a trash bucket or thick charge card garbage udder . Do not place dug - up plants or roots into the compost pile or in a separate detritus galvanic pile in middleman with soil elsewhere on your property .
Step 5
Tip
Although project - intensive , physically get the picture up and polish off chameleon plants is the good way to rid a landscape of the specie . Herbicides may bump it back , but any rhizomes that are not fully kill by herbicide will rejuvenate into raw plants with expanding leafage and roots . Both the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin , Texas , and the Global Invasive Species Database websites recommend burn dug - up chameleon plant life to insure no roots or bow sherd rest anywhere on a place .
Warning
If using herbicides to kill chameleon plant , direct the chemical substance only onto the foliage of the gage . Spray impulsion will also bolt down nearby garden industrial plant .
