What they do
Add bright flower spikes and strong foliage at the water’s edge while supporting visiting pollinators.
Plant profile
Pickerelweeds
Genus Pontederia
Pickerelweeds are wetland and pond-edge plants in the genus Pontederia, known for upright spikes of purple-blue flowers that are popular with many pollinators.
Plant Type
Aquatic & wetland plants > Pickerelweeds
Aliases
Pickerelweed
Native Range
Parts of North America (varies by species in the genus)
Bloom window
Summer into early fall (varies by species and site)
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Pickerelweeds (genus Pontederia) are a strong choice for wet gardens because they don’t just tolerate soggy soil—they prefer it. Plant them where water naturally collects, or at the edge of a pond where the soil stays saturated. Once established, they form sturdy clumps with bold leaves and upright flower spikes that add color through the warmer months.
For a simple setup, try a container water garden: use a watertight tub or pot, add heavy soil, set the plant with the crown at the surface, and keep the water level steady. In a rain garden, place pickerelweeds in the lowest, wettest zone so they don’t dry out.
To keep your patch pollinator-friendly, focus on good placement and skip pesticides—healthy plants in the right spot are much less likely to struggle.
Best role for pollinators
Pond edges, rain gardens, wet ditches, and any spot that stays consistently damp
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Pickerelweed |
| Bloom window | Summer into early fall (varies by species and site) |
| Typical height | Knee- to waist-high in many garden settings (varies by species and conditions) |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies, Flies |
| Light & moisture | Sun to part sun; wet soil to shallow water |
| Best roles for pollinators | Pond edges, rain gardens, wet ditches, and any spot that stays consistently damp |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Consistently wet soil or shallow water and plenty of light.
One best action
Place pickerelweeds where the ground stays wet most of the time—pond margins and rain gardens are ideal.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
If you’re trying to make a pollinator-friendly space in a wet area, pickerelweeds are a practical choice: they’re showy, sturdy, and well-suited to saturated soils where many typical garden flowers struggle.
Pickerelweeds are built for life at the water’s edge, with sturdy stems and leaves that handle saturated soils better than most garden plants.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Wetland-friendly flowers can be hard to find; pickerelweeds are a reliable option for damp sites.
- Clumping growth helps fill in pond edges and reduces bare, muddy areas.
- Blooms provide a steady landing-and-feeding spot for a range of insects.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Look for a bold clump of smooth, green leaves and upright flower spikes rising above the foliage.
Leaves
Smooth green leaves in a clump; shape can range from oval to heart-shaped depending on the species and growing conditions.
Flowers
Dense, upright spikes of small purple-blue flowers that open over time along the spike.
Fruits
After flowering, the spike dries and sets small seeds; the plant remains leafy through the season.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Pond and lake margins
- Marsh edges
- Slow-moving waterways
- Wet meadows and ditches
Where it is often used
- Pond edge planting
- Rain garden
- Wet swale or low spot that stays damp
- Container water garden (in a watertight pot or tub)
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Pickerelweeds typically bloom during the warmer part of the growing season, when many pond-edge plants are at their best.
Bloom Season Role: Mid-to-late season nectar and pollen in wet habitats
Seasonal benefits
- Adds dependable blooms when many spring flowers have finished
- Provides repeated foraging opportunities as flowers open along the spike
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Full sun is best for flowering; part sun can work in consistently wet sites.
Soil type
Mucky, silty, or garden soil that stays saturated; can also grow in shallow water.
Moisture needs
Keep consistently wet; do not let the root zone dry out for long.
Planting method
Set the plant so the crown sits at the soil surface; in shallow water, anchor in a pot or planting pocket so it doesn’t float or tip.
Mulching tips
In wet soils, use mulch lightly (or not at all) to avoid smothering the crown; keep mulch pulled back from the base.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Choose a spot that stays wet—pond edge, rain garden low point, or a watertight container water garden.
- Place the plant so the crown is level with the soil surface (not buried).
- Firm the soil around the roots to prevent wobbling, especially at the water’s edge.
- Water in well (even in wet sites) to settle soil around the roots.
- Check weekly at first to be sure the plant stays upright and the root zone remains wet.
Seasonal care
- Keep the area consistently wet, especially during dry spells.
- Remove damaged leaves as needed for a tidy look.
- If clumps become crowded, divide and replant to refresh growth.
- Leave some stems and seedheads until cleanup time if you like a natural look, then cut back when you’re ready to tidy the site.
What not to do
- Planting pickerelweeds in a spot that dries out between waterings.
- Burying the crown under soil or mulch.
- Using pesticides near blooms or near water.
- Letting the plant tip over at the water’s edge.
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Marsh marigold
- Blue flag iris
Mid-Season Bloom
- Swamp milkweed
- Joe-Pye weed
Late-Season Bloom
- New England aster
- Goldenrods (in nearby, not-soggy soil)
If you’re planting near a natural shoreline, choose species appropriate to your area and avoid moving plants or soil between water bodies to reduce the chance of spreading unwanted hitchhikers.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see when shopping for or planting wetland plants:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.