How to Plant Pickerelweed in a Pond (Care & Grow Guide)
by Tory Jon | Last Updated: November 16, 2022
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Pickerelweed is a beautiful plant with violet flowers that you will simply adore! You'll find this sizeable plant throughout Canada, North America, and even the Caribbean!
The uniqueness of this plant comes from the large 10" arrow-shaped stems and violet flowers. Pickerelweed is a fairly large pond plant, reaching about three feet (1 meter) and up to 4 feet in the right conditions.
The name for this plant is derived from the pickerel fish, commonly known as the northern pike, which finds shade among the thick stems and leaves of this plant.
The nectar this plant produces attracts bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, which not only adds a living element to your pond but is also good for the environment.
Scientific Name
Pontederia Cordata
Common Names
Pickerel weed, pickerel rush
Plant Type
Marginal plant/bog plant
Light Requirements
Full sun
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zone 3 - 10
Bloom
June through late October
Grow Up To
4 ft tall in the right conditions
Flower Color
Blue, violet
How to Plant Pickerelweed in a Pond
Pickerelweed is best planted in pots with potting media and a thin layer of small gravel on top (to keep the media from floating out into your pond) and placed around the marginal areas of your pond in 3 to 5 inches of water. Make sure it's in a spot that gets ample sunlight.
Pickerelweed Care Guide
Pickerelweed thrives as long as it has direct sun and water, which usually isn't an issue for most backyard pond settings.
Just keep in mind that Pickerelweed is a fast grower and will require regular trimming to prevent it from choking out other plants in your pond. Be sure to remove and properly discard any clippings away from the water so they don't decompose in your pond and potentially cause water quality issues.
Pickerelweed is a hardy plant and will typically overwinter in your outdoor pond without a problem. Simply ensure the plant's crown is underwater and doesn't freeze over.
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