Pontederia cordata

The heart-leaved Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata) is one of the most beautiful aquatic and semi-aquatic plants that can be found in ornamental ponds. It has an upright habit with splendid shiny green foliage and beautiful azure-blue to lavender-blue inflorescences. It is a flowering plant, easy to grow and non-invasive. A true wonder!

Pontederia cordata belongs to the Pontederiaceae family . It is native to the shallow shores of North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida. It is a deciduous perennial plant with an upright and spreading habit. It reaches a height of 70 cm (28 in) with a spread of 40 cm (16 in), and has a rapid growth rate. It blooms from June to autumn, with dense spikes of 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in), resembling orchids, composed of bell-shaped flowers in azure-blue to lavender-blue, illuminated by yellow stamens. The flowering is honey- and nectar-producing, followed by ovoid, red and sticky fruits that are enjoyed by ducks. The lanceolate, shiny, heart-shaped leaves, 12 cm (5 in) wide and 25 cm (10 in) long, remain dark green throughout the season, sometimes with brown spots. It is a plant with thick and creeping rhizomes. It has a good purifying value (purifying value of reeds divided by two)*.

Plant Pontederia in rich soil, submerged from 0 to 30 cm (0 to 12 in), or in baskets of 35 x 35 cm (14 x 14 in), preferably in spring, by burying the rhizome 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) into the mud or by immersing the baskets. The substrate should ideally be humus-rich and clayey or sandy-clayey. This plant does not have any particular requirements regarding soil pH, which can be slightly alkaline, neutral, or slightly acidic. Install it in full sun or partial shade. Faded flowers can be removed to promote the appearance of new flower spikes. Pontederia is perfectly hardy and highly resistant to urban pollution.

Pontederia cordata is ideal in a wild or garden pond, or for decorating a patio container. This plant can be used for mass planting in flooded areas, in bogs.

*Phytopurification plants, such as Pontederia cordata, are increasingly used for small private wastewater treatment plants and also for the installation of natural swimming pools and eco-friendly pools. First and foremost, they provide oxygen to the bacteria on the roots. It is these bacteria that transform organic matter into mineral matter and nutrients. Secondly, the plant feeds on nutrients and absorbs elements that we want to eliminate, such as nitrates, phosphates, and heavy metals.

The fruits of Pontederia were once consumed fresh, roasted, or powdered.