Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata), packet of 30 seeds, organic

Family:  Lizard Tail (Saururaceae) Hardy to Zones 5 to 12 (Yu-Xing-Cao) Creeping herbaceous perennial native to China. Although the roots are hardy down to zone 5, the plant is famously frost-sensitive, and the tops will go down with the first frost. Our’s is the species plant–not a select cultivar or hybrid–it has the standard lemony taste to the leaves, and standard fish-soup taste to the crunchy rhizomes.  Stolons and leaves used as an aromatic and tasty condiment.  This plant is very easily grown and will diversify any cuisine.  We recommend to market growers, connoisseurs, restaurant owners and inventive householders.  Traditional use (TCM, TWM):  In Chinese medicine, used to disperse heat, resolve toxicity and reduce swelling.  In western medicine, used as a treatment for Lyme disease.   Easily grown in containers, will spread in open fertile beds.  Sow seed in cool soils of early spring or use standard propagation technique under growlights or in greenhouse.  Mix small seed with sand and sprinkle on surface, then barely cover with soil, tamp down securely and keep evenly moist and in the light until germination.  I’ve seen these give one flush of germination in a few weeks, and then another flush months later.  Keep an eye out.  Once seedlings have sized up, individuate to pots and grow out that way until they are large enough to transplant outdoors.  They prefer mesic, sandy soil in sun to part shade.  Space plants 1 foot apart. 30 seeds per packet, certified organically grown