Pickerelweed Pontederia cordata
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Pontederiaceae family, native to Eastern Americas (pond and lake margins). It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 60–90 cm (24–35 in) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Pickerelweed in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pickerelweed at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Pontederiaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 10–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: seeds, young leaves |
| Native to | Eastern Americas (pond and lake margins) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Pickerelweed toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pickerelweed
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Pickerelweed in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (6 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (16 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (13 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (9 plants)
Questions about Pickerelweed
- How far apart should I plant Pickerelweed?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60–90 cm (24–35 in).
- Does Pickerelweed need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pickerelweed need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Pickerelweed?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Pickerelweed flower?
- From about June for 10–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pickerelweed poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Pickerelweed?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pickerelweed. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Marginal in up to 30 cm of water; spikes of violet-blue flowers all summer, loved by bees.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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