How to Propagate Houttuynia cordata? A Few Common Propagation Methods to Teach You

  Houttuynia cordata can be eaten as a cold dish, used as medicine to treat illnesses, and at the same time grown as a potted ornamental plant, so it can be said to have a very wide range of uses. Houttuynia cordata itself relatively prefers shaded and moist growing environments, and fears direct strong light. In wild environments, it is mostly found in ditches and beside ponds where the light is relatively dim. So, how is Houttuynia cordata propagated?

  Speaking of propagation, generally herbaceous plants can be propagated by sowing seeds, but Houttuynia cordata, as a perennial herbaceous plant, is not suited to seed propagation. This is because seed propagation of Houttuynia cordata has relatively high requirements for the growing environment, and even if the growing conditions can be met, its germination rate often does not exceed 20%, making it a plant with a very low seed propagation efficiency. Usually, the methods suitable for breeding seedlings are rhizome, cutting and division.

  1. Rhizome propagation

  Rhizome propagation is a very widely used propagation method, and it is excellent whether for growers producing in batches or for individual users growing potted plants at home. As long as the growing environment is suitable, the rhizome germination rate of Houttuynia cordata is very high, and with just a little management, especially doing a good job of shading and watering, it is very easy to grow lushly.

  Rhizome propagation of Houttuynia cordata is the process of digging the rhizomes out from under the soil of other clumps, cutting them into stem segments 8-10 cm long with two or more bud points, and burying them in the soil for propagation in February-March of spring. When choosing rhizomes for propagation, generally cut plump white rhizomes, and bring along two or more axillary buds.

  2. Cutting propagation

  Like many plants, Houttuynia cordata can be propagated by cuttings, mainly by cutting branches from the mother plant for stem cuttings, but when using this method to propagate Houttuynia cordata, it can be done in spring and summer.

  When taking cuttings, cut robustly growing branches from the mother plant of Houttuynia cordata as cuttings, then insert them into an acidic sandy substrate. But after all the cuttings have been inserted into the seedling bed, promptly move them to a cool and ventilated place, or take necessary shading measures. Do a good job of moisture retention during the cultivation period, and after the cuttings have smoothly taken root and sprouted, you can pot them separately at the right time and transplant them for final planting.

  3. Division propagation

  The division propagation method of Houttuynia cordata is the same as that of other flowering plants, and it is also suitable to do in spring and summer. Original because the temperatures in these two seasons are relatively high, the plants will not be frostbitten during division, and it is also more conducive to the divided plants adapting to the pots and surviving after potting.

  When carrying out division propagation, first dig the entire Houttuynia cordata plant out of the soil, then cut off the rhizomes at the base of the plant, divide the original plant into several plants, and then pot and plant them separately. Since the rhizomes of Houttuynia cordata grow relatively long and are mostly creeping stems, division is also very easy; you only need to separate the plants and plant them together with the root system below.

  The above three methods are all relatively suitable for propagating Houttuynia cordata, and everyone can choose among them according to their own convenience and operability. But no matter which method is used for propagation, we must do a good job of temperature and light control, and watering and fertilization management, so as to ensure that the seedlings grow better and that what is harvested has edible and medicinal value.