I recently had to tackle a tricky problem in my garden – fast-growing chameleons!
These sneaky plants popped up out of nowhere, and I’ve been on a mission to get rid of them ever since. With just gloves and determination, I tried to keep up, but they’re stubborn and grow quickly, so that wasn’t enough.
I had to dig deeper and use some extra tricks to say goodbye to these chameleons for good. That’s when everything took a turn, and now my garden is finally chameleon-free!
No worries, I’ll gladly share what helped me complete this mission impossible!
You Gotta Catch Them Early
We can all agree that chameleon plants might look charming, but don’t be fooled because they can take over your garden in no time!
These plants spread through seeds and underground stems called rhizomes, which are actually shoots, not roots (I was surprised as well).
If you’re dealing with Houttuynia cordata, then you’re in trouble because this notorious chameleon plant is known for its aggressive growth if left unchecked.
But don’t lose hope just yet because there are still ways to eliminate them (yep, even the Houttuynia kind).
To tame chameleon plants, the key is stopping their rapid spread.
I always go for the traditional hand-pulling method first. Since these plants love moist soil and even standing water, managing the water levels in the garden can help slow their growth.
What I also did is tackle them before the rainy season to prevent them from spreading even more (smart, right?).
If these fast-spreading plants have already taken over, here’s what you can do:
• Dig a 1-foot-deep trench around the main clump.
• Remove and discard as many rhizomes as you can, making sure they don’t end up in your compost.
• Refill the trench with fresh soil to keep them from coming back.
All of this can truly help you control chameleon plants. In case these tricks don’t work, you can always bring out the big guns.
Related: 6 Weed Control Tips You Need To Banish Weeds From Your Garden For Good
If Nothing Else Works, Use Chemicals
I know we all want to avoid using harsh chemicals in our garden, but sometimes we don’t have any other option (especially when dealing with annoying plants like chameleons).
What I would recommend you do first is avoid using those basic ones like RoundUp or Weed-B-Gon – they won’t be as efficient (and please, don’t ask me how I know this).
Glyphosate, which is commonly found in products like these, can be effective. However, it is potent and can harm surrounding plants, which is why you should use it sparingly and only as a last resort.
To apply glyphosate, trim the plants close to the soil and carefully apply the solution to the cut stems (you can use a brush or dropper). Be precise so you don’t affect non-target plants!
Repeat this treatment over a couple of seasons to make sure those chameleon plants are thoroughly eradicated.
I have to repeat again, please always consider the environmental impact and handle pesticides with care to protect your garden’s biodiversity.
Having dealt with these stubborn plants myself, I know how frustrating they can be. It took time, patience, and a lot of nerves but, eventually, I got my garden back.
Stay persistent, and you’ll see results too!
Related: 15 Pesky Weeds That Can Wreak Havoc On Your Lawn During Winter