What kind of plant is this?

Very invasive perennial
Do you know what kind of plant this? It is a very invasive perennial. The leaf colors are beautiful.
  28 answers
  • Amanda Hunter Amanda Hunter on Nov 06, 2016
    The plant in your photo resembles the following plant: Variegated kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta) ak-tin-ID-ee-ah koe-lo-MIK-tah Genus: Actinidia Variegated kiwi vine is an attractive woody vine that tolerates shade. The male has lovely pink, white, and green variegated leaves and small flowers at are fragrant and cream-covered. This species needs both a male and female plant to produce its sweet, grape-sized fruit. The fruits have no fuzz, and the skin is soft and tender. Best fruit production is achieved in full sun. The cultivar 'Arctic Beauty' has smaller leaves but is hardy to Zone 3. Noteworthy Characteristics: Pink, white, and green foliage. Fragrant flowers. Delicious fruit. Care: Full sun or part shade and fertile, well-drained soil. Provide shelter from strong winds. Propagation: Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in spring or fall. Root semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. Problems: Various fungal diseases may occur. Overview: Height: 10 ft. to 15 ft. Growth Pace: Moderate Grower Light: Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture: Medium Moisture Maintenance: Moderate Characteristics: Showy Foliage, Showy Fruit Bloom Time: Early Summer, Summer Flower Color: White Foliage Color :Variegated Foliage Uses Trellis Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Type: Vines Read more: http://www.finegardening.com/variegated-kiwi-... Follow us: @finegardening on Twitter | FineGardeningMagazine on FacebookRead more: http://www.finegardening.com/variegated-kiwi-... Follow us: @finegardening on Twitter | FineGardeningMagazine on Facebook
  • Ande Morris Ande Morris on Nov 06, 2016
    Chameleon plant?
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 06, 2016
    It is Chameleon .
  • Sga11254701 Sga11254701 on Nov 06, 2016
    Ajuga?
  • Janie Janie on Nov 06, 2016
    I have this plant, Houttuynia cordata, I actually bought and planted some 6 years ago and have spent the last 5 trying to control or kill it, I think it could take over the world.
  • Katherine Katherine on Nov 06, 2016
    I love chameleon but it is invasive. Even the smallest root on your garden tool can spread the plant to another bed. Experience.....
  • Pandalana Williams Pandalana Williams on Nov 06, 2016
    It is edible :). If it is chameleon.
  • Jayne Hurlbut Jayne Hurlbut on Nov 06, 2016
    It's related to the St. John's wort family.... The sun brings out its beautiful colors... Yes on the invasive list in WA State... Keep it in a pot!
  • Linda Yates Linda Yates on Nov 06, 2016
    i begged my husband not to buy this invasive species to plant around our pond. He did not listen. Lily Ponds calls it "Rainbow plant" I have other unprintable names for it. the heck with keeping it in a pot. never ever let this plant into your garden.
  • Johnnye Denman Johnnye Denman on Nov 06, 2016
    It looks as though lots of us have similar experiences with this invasive plant that entraps the unwary with it's pretty coloring. I bought a couple of small plants for the front of my flower bed, and it took over and choked everything else out! It grows faster than kudzu (and that's saying a lot). I won't use toxic herbicides, so must pull up by the roots. Needless to say, leaving even one root behind starts the "invasion" again! At least these posts will warn those who haven't already been beguiled by this plant.
  • Wanda Wanda on Nov 06, 2016
    I thought it was beautiful also and bought one little 4in pot .... 20 years later am still trying to rid myself of it! DO NOT PLANT ---- anywhere! Its roots will grow underground pop up every where! In plant beds, in your grass -it will NEVER go away!
  • Susan Thompson Susan Thompson on Nov 06, 2016
    I have always heard it called chameleon plant. Boy oh boy, it is almost impossible to kill it!!
  • Susan Beecher Susan Beecher on Nov 06, 2016
    This is Houttuynia cordata variety: 'Chameleon'. As the other commenters have noted, it is extremely aggressive. You can dig it out or spray it with Roundup. Of course, Roundup will kill any plants that are close by that get hit with the spray. You can pull it and then hit the shoots that come up later from the roots that get left with the Roundup. You have to keep after it. Good luck.
    • See 2 previous
    • Gail Hafey Gail Hafey on Nov 09, 2016
      The previous owner of my house planted this noxious little plant and I have tried everything to get rid of it. It has taken me 4 years to not get nauseated every time I start to pull it out. I have sprayed with Roundup, horticultural vinegar, dug down 10 inches and pulled out every root that I could find (which held it back for about 2 years). It is now back with a vengeance. It grows up through shrubs, lariope, grass, ajuga and is trying to work its way under my brick sidewalk. Do not plant this plant or you will rue the day! It spreads by deep runners, mowing only makes it grow more densely and more difficult to pull out. I totally disagree with Rhondafannie's declaration that it is not that hardy. I live in Northern Virginia and it is plenty hardy here.
  • Stephanie corley Stephanie corley on Nov 06, 2016
    Wild Ginger
  • Pdm12047726 Pdm12047726 on Nov 07, 2016
    It is also called a rainbow plant. It is used in Chinese cuisine and has many health benefits.
  • Sco10340738 Sco10340738 on Nov 07, 2016
    Not wild ;ginger..
  • Rho7093071 Rho7093071 on Nov 08, 2016
    Fallopia japonica 'Variegata' it's Japanese knotweed (tricolored)
  • Rho7093071 Rho7093071 on Nov 08, 2016
    Wait, I take that back .. if it's taller than 3ft it's knotweed.. if it's about 24 inches tall.. it's chameleon plant .. if your trying to get rid of it.. just mow over..it's not THAT hardy.
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Nov 08, 2016
    It is Houttuynia cordite (common name Chameleon plant) and very invasive. I live in Pennsylvania and, unfortunately, thought it attractive and planted it 15 year ago. I have spent the last 10 trying to eradicate it. Unfortunately RoundUp is about the only want to do it and must be applied carefully several times. If any small stem, root, or leaf is left o/in the ground, it will quickly root and spread so I would definitely NOT recommend mowing asthat would just spread the pieces.
  • Col4974741 Col4974741 on Nov 08, 2016
    Yes, great colors though spreads. It's recommended to plant in a pot or window box for that reason. I didn't know and my little plants are very persistently coloring a large triangle of my flower bed!😐
  • Ann Ann on Nov 09, 2016
    This is Houttuynia (or Chameleon ). It is very, very invasive. I had it grow underneath a concrete sidewalk only to come up on the other side. It is very hard to get rid of.
  • Tan5227879 Tan5227879 on Nov 10, 2016
    Agree with Ann - Houttuynia cordata for sure. In our place it is annual because of winter frost.
  • Mha10646543 Mha10646543 on Nov 10, 2016
    chamelion plant
  • Barbara Botts Barbara Botts on Nov 10, 2016
    Planted it on a nasty hill side and solved the erosion problem.
  • Rosie Walsh Rosie Walsh on Nov 10, 2016
    The plant from hell.
  • Xen7221439 Xen7221439 on Nov 10, 2016
    Houttuynia is hardy. For best growth ,it needs moisture. wonderfull by a pound. Used in Japanese cooking . Fragrant leaves taste like coriander. used in small amounts for salads and other dishes. To avoid spreading fast, just diminish the water in the soil. To kill most of it, do not water in the summer, Try it in big containers with other plants. Use the branches for flower arrangements for the house. I love it.
  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Nov 10, 2016
    colors are kind of nice. If it much go. Hit it with Roundup. Every time you see a new piece of it pop up. Had to do the same with some poison ivy that got into my yard.
  • Brenda Brenda on Nov 11, 2016
    The worst invasive plant ever. Pops up in neighbors yard, all over my yard and it very expensive to get rid of. You must dig it up roots and all to get rid of it.