Pickerelweed Plant Care

Pickerelweed (Pontederia vaginalis) belongs to the Pontederiaceae family within the Pontederia genus. Pickerelweed is also known as Water Hyacinth.

Pickerelweed displays a clump-forming aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pickerelweed produces spike of blue, purple, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pickerelweed every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pickerelweed thrives in full sun to part shade.

Pontederia vaginalis tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Pickerelweed prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Pickerelweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pickerelweed every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pickerelweed is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pickerelweed can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Pickerelweed while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Pickerelweed is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Pickerelweed can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue pickerelweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pickerelweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Pickerelweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Pickerelweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.