Pickerelweed is an emergent marginal plant of pond and lake edges and other wetlands across the Americas, often where water levels rise and fall. It forms clumps from branching rhizomes, with glossy, heart- to lance-shaped leaves held above the water and spikes of purple-blue flowers with yellow marks in late summer. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit as a pond plant. It is a pond marginal, not a submerged aquarium plant: it needs its leaves out of the water and full sun. Plant it in a basket in shallow water at the pond edge. It is hardy enough for outdoor ponds in Britain. Water figures and maximum height are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontederiacordata); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Divide the rhizomes in spring. Seed needs 6–8 weeks of cold (stratification) before it will sprout.
Compatibility and tank mates
A pond marginal; not suitable for indoor tanks. Pond fish leave it alone, and its flowers attract bees.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
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Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
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