Giâp Cá, Fish Mint (Houttuynia cordata)
Regular price $19.95Unique, Medicinal Herb with a Strong Flavor
Common Names: Giâp Cá, Fish Mint, Lizard Tail, Heartleaf, Chameleon Plant
Family: Saururaceae
Origin: Southeast Asia
Giâp Cá (Houttuynia cordata), commonly known as Fish Mint or Lizard Tail, is a perennial herb native to Southeast Asia. This unique herb is known for its strong fishy aroma and is widely used in Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines, particularly in salads, soups, and as a garnish. It is also prized for its medicinal properties, which have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Giâp Cá is a hardy plant that thrives in wet, shady conditions, making it an ideal addition to herb gardens or as a ground cover in moist areas.
Distinctive Features, Uses, and Nutritional Value
Leaves: The heart-shaped leaves of Giâp Cá are dark green with a purple tint and have a distinctive fishy aroma that intensifies when crushed. The leaves are edible and are often used in salads or as a garnish in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Flowers: The plant produces small, white flowers that grow in spikes, though it is primarily grown for its foliage.
Growth Habit: Giâp Cá grows as a low, spreading herb, reaching up to 1-2 feet in height. It spreads via underground rhizomes and can quickly cover large areas, making it an effective ground cover in moist, shady locations.
Culinary and Medicinal Uses
Giâp Cá is widely used in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine. The fresh leaves are often added to salads, spring rolls, or served as a garnish for soups and grilled dishes. The fishy, pungent flavor of the leaves pairs well with strong flavors like garlic, chili, and fermented foods. In Vietnam, Giâp Cá is commonly used as a fresh herb in raw salads or served alongside grilled meats and fish.
Medicinally, Giâp Cá has been used in traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and diuretic properties. The plant is believed to help detoxify the body, support respiratory health, and treat infections. The leaves can be made into a tea or tincture for medicinal purposes.
Common Names:
Giâp Cá, Dokudami, Zhe'ergen, Fish Mint, Fish Leaf, Fish Wort, Rainbow Plant, Heart Leaf, Chinese Lizard Tail, Chameleon Plant
Traditional Uses:
Leaves used externally for treatment of wounds and certain snakebites. Diuretic root used as laxative. Rhizomes associated with secretion of active bacillus, beneficial for female health.
Native Region:
Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Korea, Japan
Plant Type:
Perennial Deciduous Herb
Harvest Season:
Year-round
Mature Size:
Up to 2 ft.
Soil & Moisture:
Rich, well-draining soil. The Chameleon Plant is not drought-tolerant.
It can be grown successfully as a water plant!
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
Takes on a reddish hue if grown in shade, and grows greener with longer sun exposure.
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 4-11 as an annual, 9-11 as a perennial; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Propagation:
Grown from cuttings, division, or ground-layer and capable of harvesting now/this growing season.
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