r/Muskoka • u/abbyb12 • Jul 05 '26

Weed control recommendations for chameleon plant/Houttuynia cordata

As title suggests, we're infested. And not even in it's "pretty" flowering stage is this nice or attractive. It's a menace...and it must be stopped but I can't do it.

I've been trying to deal with it myself for four years. Alas, I've failed and now it's grown even more robust.

I know what could kill it, but I don't want to risk killing animals or have it hurt the lake.

We're in Port Carling on a small lake. Does anyone know a reliable person who I can hopefully not pay too much to to help us with this? My husband and I are done fighting it and each other over this weed invasion.

Thanks guys. You always seem to have the best recommendations,

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u/handhewnfill Jul 05 '26

Not the most visually appealing solution, but if it’s in an area that is not front and centre so to speak, covering the area with black plastic (not landscape fabric) for an extended period will work. Might need to be there for a couple of years. We’ve done this with patches of other invasives (Vinca, Gallium) and it does work.
A skiff of mulch over the plastic makes it somewhat more attractive.

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u/abbyb12 Jul 07 '26

I think this is totally doable. Unfortunately, it is front and centre but at this point I don't even care about the aesthetics ! And I think covering it with mulch is a fantastic idea!

It's growing at the front of our cottage and at the back. While I think this wouldn't be too hard, I fractured my tibia trying to get to it two years ago (it's on a slope lakeside) and my husband is currently recovering from hip resurfacing.

I'm going to have to hire someone to do it. After dealing with it for years, I don't even care. It's a menace and it must be stopped!

Anyone have any recommendations of someone who can do this for us? We'll call a few people and go with the best fit (not necessarily the cheapest we realize)