The Benefits and Effects of Houttuynia cordata, Plus How to Grow It and What to Watch Out For
Today we introduce a herb that has been passed down for thousands of years in the world of Chinese herbal medicine: Houttuynia cordata. Its taste is pungent and its nature is cold, and it is rich in a variety of active compounds, with multiple benefits such as clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving pain and draining pus, and promoting urination to reduce swelling. Modern people can pick it and use it as a food ingredient in cold salads, stewed soups and other dishes, but note that although Houttuynia cordata has many benefits, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with an allergic constitution should use it with caution.
Houttuynia cordata is mostly produced in Taiwan, China, Yunnan and Tibet, and reaches as far north as Shaanxi and Gansu, making it a medicinal plant that is very easy to cultivate. Its care points are to choose a loose, fertile, slightly acidic sandy loam soil, and to ensure good water and nutrient retention. When planting, it can be propagated by division, cuttings or rhizomes.
Generally speaking, cuttings can be bought directly on the market. After bringing them home, keep the soil moist, but do not let it become waterlogged. In the early stage, the growing temperature should be within 16 to 20 degrees Celsius, and in the later mature stage it should be within 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. It is considered a cold-tolerant plant, tolerating temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Its lighting requirements are not strict; Houttuynia cordata can grow and develop normally even under weak light conditions. For daily watering, keep the soil in a slightly moist state, with the soil water content controlled between 75% and 80%. However, in winter, when temperatures are low, reduce the amount of watering and keep the soil on the drier side.
As for fertilising, many gardening enthusiasts think that doing a good job with daily light and watering is enough, but that is not the case! No matter what plant it is, without a supply of nutrients, in the end it will grow fewer and fewer leaves, more and more yellow leaves, and its flowering period will also be shortened. Therefore, it is recommended that during the growing period (April to August), Houttuynia cordata be given liquid fertiliser 1 to 2 times a month, preferably nitrogen-based fertiliser, and that this be changed to potassium-based fertiliser during the bud stage.
Finally, regarding disease control, Houttuynia cordata can suffer from problems such as southern blight, root rot, purple blotch, leaf spot and ring spot. Once the plant is found to be abnormal, measures should be taken promptly, and biological pesticides can be used for control.