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Houttuynia - invasive?

LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
in Plants
I have a houttuynia plant in a pot, not sure of variety. Before I plant it out, is it invasive as I've read that it can be?





Posts

  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Yes, it certainly is! I made the mistake of planting some at the edge of a patio, it was coming up between the slabs for years afterwards. I don’t know how well weed killer works on it as I never tried, but I found it impossible to dig out.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Invasive?  Think Genghis Khan and his hordes!!! 😱 Don’t plant it in your garden … and watch out for it escaping out of the hole in the bottom of the pot … 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    don't even put it into your compost bins. 
    Devon.
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    That's decided then, it's going in the wheelie bin, thanks for alerting me.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hostafan1 said:
    don't even put it into your compost bins. 
    Especially don’t put it in your compost bins … 😱 😱 😱 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Ive had it growing at the side of my pond for umpteen years. Just takes a few minutes to pull up the bits you don't want.

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    edited September 2021
    I was thinking of planting it next to my pond to act as some ground cover, but I think I'll use a native ground covering ivy instead
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In some places it can be controlled - as @hogweed describes for example. Otherwise, it can be a problem.
    It's often sold as a 'pond plant'.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    edited September 2021
    Thanks everyone, I don't think i'm going to take the risk, I got it really cheap so I think I'll bin it. Plenty of other plants I can use without the risk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Probably a wise decision @LeadFarmer ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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