Pontederia Cordata - Pickerel Rush
Best low-maintenance aquatic plant for beginner pond owners.
Elevate your water garden with the Pontederia Cordata, also known as Pickerel Rush. This striking perennial boasts glossy, arrowhead-shaped leaves and produces vibrant 6-8 inch spikes of violet-blue flowers from late spring through summer. Ideal for beginners, it's easy to cultivate and self-propagating, naturally enhancing your pond's filtration. Its upright form adds vertical interest to the pond's edge, thriving in full sun to partial shade and moist soil or shallow water.
$13.43
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
3
/ 955
#3 in Aquatic Plants
Price vs Category Average
-28%
Below average
Hardiness Zone
511
/ -
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking architectural height and vibrant color for pond edges
- Pond owners looking for natural, low-maintenance water filtration solutions
- Beginners wanting reliable, hardy perennials that return every year
Who should skip it
- Owners of small ponds worried about invasive, rapid root spreading
- Pond keepers with uneven depths unable to accommodate specific planting requirements
- Gardeners desiring year-round greenery or minimal seasonal maintenance tasks
Performance breakdown
Beginner Friendliness
Robust growth habits make this an ideal choice for novice pondkeepers.
Filtration Efficacy
Natural root systems actively help maintain cleaner, healthier pond water.
Visual Impact
Striking violet-blue spikes provide dramatic vertical interest all summer long.
Hardiness Range
Versatile enough to thrive across a wide variety of climate zones.
Propagation Speed
Self-spreading rhizomes fill in pond edges with minimal human intervention.
Maintenance Requirements
Requires very little upkeep once established in the correct water depth.
Key Specs
Hardiness Zone
5-11
Mature Height
24"-30" (up to 2-3 ft high)
Mature Spread
12" to 24"
Flower Spire Size
6-8 inches
Water Depth Tolerance
Moist soil or water up to 10 inches deep
Leaf Color
Dark to lime green, glossy
Aquarium Placement
Marginal
Growth Rate
Moderate
Features
- Showy violet-blue flower spikes bloom all summer
- Extremely easy to grow, perfect for beginners
- Naturally improves pond water filtration
- Rhizome roots ensure stable, upright growth
- Self-propagating for continuous spread
- Adds vertical visual interest to water gardens
- Hardy bog plant for outdoor ponds
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Pickerel Rush plants upon arrival. Reviewers frequently note the careful packaging ensures the plants are healthy and robust, minimizing transplant shock. The ease of establishment is a major highlight; these plants quickly adapt and thrive in pond environments, providing immediate aesthetic value and natural filtration. This reliability makes them a highly recommended choice for water gardeners seeking vibrant, low maintenance aquatic flora.
Know before you buy
This plant is versatile and can be planted in moist soil at the water's edge or submerged in water up to 10 inches deep.
No, Pickerel Rush does not require CO2. It is a hardy marginal plant that thrives in outdoor pond environments without the need for supplemental carbon or complex fertilization.
Yes, Pickerel Rush is self-propagating and spreads via runners. You may want to keep an eye on its growth if you have a smaller pond to ensure it doesn't crowd out other species.
It is a very hardy plant, suitable for zones 5 through 11. It can withstand a wide range of temperatures, making it a reliable perennial for most North American outdoor ponds.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Pickerel Rush naturally assists with pond filtration. Its root system helps absorb excess nutrients from the water, which can contribute to clearer water and a healthier environment for fish.
For the best results and consistent violet-blue blooms, place your Pickerel Rush in an area that receives full sun to partial shade.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.