▷ Pike weed as a pond plant | All information and details

Data sheet Hechtkraut

Botanical name:
Pontederia (as heart-shaped pikeweed: Pontederia cordata)

Origin:
North America (Canada, US East Coast)

growth height / size
30 to 80 cm

leaf color:
light green

flower color:
Purple, violet, blue

behavior/stocking

Location at the pond:
shallow pond bank

heyday:
June to September

Light requirement:
sunny

Hardy:
Yes

Cephas, Pontederia cordata 4 PP, CC BY-SA 3.0

General introduction

The pike weed, also known as Heartleaf Hakeweed, is a plant of the water hyacinth family. The plant got its name because the leaves are heart-shaped. The pike herb is in this country as pond plant very popular.

You can see it in many parks and it is relatively common in our country. It is located on the shore and can occupy a space of up to one cubic meter.

The spread of pike weed is not least due to the easy care the aquatic plant, which is also hardy and perennial. The violet flowers and light green leaves make it a great eye-catcher in any pond, whether in the park or in the garden pond.

Acquisition and maintenance / care

purchase

Hechtkraut can be bought in the usual hardware store or garden center. He is then planted in the Shallow water zone at the pond, which has a water depth of about 10 to 30 centimeters. This also depends on the specific species of pike weed, but it should not be planted deeper than 30 to 40 centimeters.

So the leaves and flowers should not be underwater. You can plant pikeweed directly in the pond, or in one plant basket set. These give the herb more stability when growing and are also important for overwintering.

Pike weed should only be planted in ponds, which ones too enough sunlight receive. Partial shade or even shade is not conducive to the herb. The plant prefers a warm and sunny location.

In addition, a muddy, loamy or sandy soil perfect for the pike weed. This goes hand in hand with the place of origin in rather swampy areas in North America.

attitude and care

Hechtkraut should be about half a meter away from other plants. Otherwise is not much maintenance of the actual plant. The plant is robust and needs little human intervention to grow properly.

The pike weed draws all the important nutrients from the pond water. If this is cared for regularly and well, the pike weed will also grow and thrive. As already mentioned, a sunny location is crucial for the herb.

requirements for the pond

The pike weed grows relatively densely and can quickly take up a small part of the pond. It spreads in a space of about 50 to 70 centimeters out of. He can also grow just as tall. The roots stay submerged, while the leaves and purple flowers rise above the surface of the water.

propagation

The pike can in the spring be propagated. For this he will Rootstock (rhizome) divided and the other part of the plant can be planted elsewhere. Of course, the herb can also be new sowing be propagated.

wintering

Hechtkraut is hardy, but can not survive every winter without precautions. If it is planted in the pond, it should be included in the fall Twigs, leaves or straw be covered.

This is how you avoid frost. This should then be removed before spring so that the young offspring can develop properly.

If the pike weed is planted in the plant basket, it can also overwinter inside. A is suitable for this frost-free and bright place. You can also push the basket with the pike into the depths of the pond. This also protects the plant from the effects of winter.