Bloody Dock (Rumex sanguineus) - 2 Inch Pot

Bloody Dock (Rumex sanguineus) is the most dramatic foliage you can put at a pond's edge: upright rosettes of bright green, lance-shaped leaves cut through by vivid blood-red veins that look painted on. It is a hardy perennial marginal, happy in shallow water or simply moist soil, and it holds that veining all season long without ever needing to flower to earn its spot. Also a favorite for bog filters and rain gardens. Browse the rest of our freshwater plants and supplies to fill out the pond.

Care Guide

• Placement: a marginal, not a submerged plant. Set the pot on a pond shelf with the crown at or just above the waterline, or plant it in consistently moist ground at the edge.
• Water depth: 0 to 2 inches over the crown. It tolerates wet feet permanently but will rot if fully submerged for long.
• Light: full sun to part shade. The red veining is boldest in bright light; afternoon shade helps in the Georgia summer heat.
• Hardiness: a cold-hardy perennial that overwinters outdoors in our area, dying back in hard freezes and returning in spring.
• Maintenance: trim tired outer leaves and pinch off flower stalks to keep the plant compact and pushing fresh, well-marked foliage.
• Indoor use: also works in paludariums and riparium planters where the roots stay wet and the leaves stay dry.

Specifications

Placement & Companions

Plant it where the red veining catches low sunlight, along the shallow shelf or at the mouth of a bog filter, with floating plants covering open water nearby: Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce, and Frogbit all pair beautifully and help shade out algae. For more color at the margin, ask about our potted Joseph's Coat in store.

FAQ

Can I grow it fully underwater in an aquarium?
No, and this is the mistake to avoid. Bloody Dock is often sold as an "aquarium plant," but submerged it slowly melts. Keep the crown at or above the waterline and it thrives for years.

Will it survive a Georgia winter outdoors?
Yes. It is a hardy perennial that may die back in a hard freeze and re-sprouts from the crown in spring.

Is it edible?
The young leaves are a tangy sorrel used in salads, though pond-grown plants are for decoration; grow a separate one in the garden if you want to eat it.

How do I keep the red veins bold?
Bright light and steady moisture. Shade fades the contrast, and drying out stresses the plant into producing smaller, duller leaves.