Are you looking to transform your pond into a flourishing aquatic paradise? Incorporating the right plants can elevate the beauty and health of your pond ecosystem. Here are ten pond plants that not only enhance the aesthetics but also contribute to a thriving environment. Let’s dive in!
A pond is an ecosystem. There is no chlorine or harsh chemicals to sterilize the environment. The key to keeping a healthy pond or water garden is to lean on nature. 75% of the ocean's filtration is from kelp & mangrove forests. 100% of the biological filtration in naturally occurring bodies of water is from a balance of bacteria and plant life. In nearly every healthy, naturally occurring permanent body of water on the planet, there is aquatic plant life.
Plants play an essential role in the nitrogen cycle; their role is called "nutrient export." This is the very last step in the naturally occurring process that keeps an aquatic ecosystem clean and healthy. Bacteria break down the harmful ammonia released from fish poop, rotting leaves, rotting organic debris, and leftover fish food. These bacteria convert the ammonia into nitrite, and then it is once again converted into nitrate and phosphate, which are much less harmful but will continue to build up in the water column over time and become toxic to fish if it is not removed. Plants use nitrate and phosphate as fertilizer, so in order for your pond to truly thrive long-term, plants are essential for exporting nitrate and phosphate from the water column.
These are the top 10 aquatic plants that we recommend for your pond or water garden.
Water hyacinth is a floating plant; its dark green foliage and purple flowers are held above the water level by the large round buoyant base of each leaf. Its roots float freely below the water's surface, catching small bits of debris out of the water column and absorbing nitrate and phosphate from your pond to be used as nutrients. Because of how effective this plant is at cleaning water, it has been used in sewage plants internationally to clean wastewater. In your pond, it will grow quickly, so once or twice a year, it is good to scoop out any extra growth and dispose of it, similar to trimming other plants in your water garden. Water hyacinths are renowned for their stunning purple flowers and lush green foliage. Besides adding visual appeal, they help in nutrient absorption, oxygenation, and shading, which can reduce algae growth.
Lighting: Partial Sun - Full Sun
Placement: Water Surface
Growth rate: Fast
Water lettuce is a beautiful floating plant that is extremely similar to water hyacinth; it has thick, buoyant leaves that keep its foliage above the water level and has long roots that will float freely below the water's surface, collecting debris and helping maintain clean water with stable parameters. It grows at a similar rate to hyacinth, so an annual or bi-annual trimming is a good practice to keep your pond from becoming overgrown. Plants like hyacinth and water lettuce are good cover for your fish as they create a blanket of vegetation for fish to safely hide beneath when a predator approaches your pond. Water lettuce features delicate, rosette-shaped leaves that float gracefully on the water's surface. These plants provide shade and shelter for fish, while also absorbing excess nutrients to improve water quality.
Lighting: Partial Sun - Full Sun
Placement: Water Surface
Growth rate: Fast
These beautiful iconic plants will send flat green or purple round leaves and colorful flowers to float on the surface of the water. They are heavy root feeders and propagate via rhizome, meaning that this plant will spread across the bottom of your pond, sending out new plants to fill in open areas. Because they are such heavy root feeders, good nutrient-rich sandy loam soil paired with annual fertilizing will be much appreciated. Their floating leaves provide shade and cover for your fish that will help protect them from predators, and they outcompete algae for sunlight and nutrients. This beautiful plant is a must-have for any pond or water garden. No pond is complete without the enchanting beauty of water lilies. With their captivating blooms and floating pads, they add a touch of elegance while providing shade for aquatic life.
Lighting: Partial sun - full sun (flowers more in full sun)
Placement: 12" -30" below surface
Growth rate: Fast
This vining plant may be the hardiest plant on this list. Creeping Jenny originates from temperate areas in Europe and Western Asia that have both wet and dry seasons, giving this adaptive plant the ability to thrive when fully submerged under water, floating along the water surface, or in the dry soil next to your pond. It does best when grown directly in the pond or waterfall, where it can attach itself to the stones and climb through the damp crevices along the water's edge. It is also a great plant for a more traditional Italian-style fountain as it will thrive when planted within the different tiers where the water can drip down its stems into the next pool of water. Creeping Jenny, is a versatile pond plant prized for its trailing foliage and vibrant yellow flowers. It adds texture and color to pond edges or cascades gracefully over rocks.
Lighting: Partial Sun - Full Sun
Placement: Anywhere
Growth rate: Fast
The Bald Cypress tree is an often overlooked pond plant, and we have all seen photos of it in its enormous potential adult size. With annual pruning this plant will stay under control and has a very unique and beautiful texture and color. It is also a very heavy root feeder similar to water lilies, so it will play a role in removing harmful nitrate and phosphate from your pond, creating a healthy, clean environment for your fish. Good nutrient-rich soil and annual root pruning and fertilizing will keep this pond plant healthy in the long term. Bald Cypress is a majestic tree that thrives in wet conditions, making it ideal for pond margins. Its feathery foliage and distinctive trunk add vertical interest and provide habitat for wildlife.
Lighting: Partial Sun - Full Sun
Placement: 1" -24" below surface
Growth rate: Moderate
There are countless Willow trees that thrive in an aquatic environment, but my favorites are sandbar willows, weeping willows, and hybrid willows. This fast-growing aquatic tree adds great height and texture to your pond; its fast growth means that it will rapidly remove nutrients from the water column, leaving your pond in pristine health; every six months or so, you should add some supplemental fertilizer to the form of root tabs to keep this plant healthy long term. Its dense, tall growth will provide shade to your fish and compete with algae for sunlight. Of course, a good thorough pruning every six months or so will keep this plant at a manageable size. It can also be propagated by simply breaking a branch off and sticking it in some wet soil or directly in the water. Willows are prized for their graceful, weeping branches and fast growth, making them excellent choices for stabilizing pond banks and providing shade. Their drooping foliage adds a serene ambiance to any pond landscape.
Lighting: full - Partial Sun
Placement: 1" -30" below surface
Growth rate: Fast
This durable plant is nearly impossible to kill, it will grow into a small to medium bush along the waters edge and can even be trained to float across the water's surface like an island as its roots are very buoyant. It is a great plant to fill in gaps and can handle a broad variety of conditions from full sun to almost full shade. Sweet flag grass, also known as Acorus, features striking sword-shaped leaves that add texture and vertical interest to pond margins. Its pleasant fragrance and ability to thrive in wet conditions make it a popular choice for naturalizing ponds.
Lighting: Partial Shade - Full Sun
Placement: 1" - 5" below the surface (or floating on the surface bare root)
Growth rate: Moderate
Anacharis is a fully aquatic plant that does well growing on the bottom of your pond or floating just below the waters surface, it grows quickly and is a great for source for fish and turtles. It will easily out compete algae for nutrients and grows in most conditions from full sun to full shade. It will form a dense blanket on the bottom of your pond that is perfect for young fish and turtles to find safety in. Anacharis, is a versatile submerged plant that oxygenates water and provides habitat for aquatic life. Its rapid growth rate makes it an effective nutrient sponge, helping to maintain water clarity.
Lighting: shade - Full Sun (prefers full sun)
Placement: 1" -30" Below Surface
Growth rate: Fast
Calla Lillie's are a must have for any water garden, they come in endless varieties that are all well suited for an aquatic environment. Though they can tolerate full sun I have found they do best in part sun where they're leaves can grow large and full without yellowing or burning. Their beautiful flowers and unique leaves add great texture and contrast to a water garden. Cala lilies are prized for their elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers and lush, arrow-shaped foliage. They add a touch of sophistication to pond margins or shallow waters, attracting pollinators and enhancing visual appeal.
Lighting: Full shade - Full Sun (prefers partial sun)
Placement: 1"- 3" Below Surface
Growth rate: Fast
This hardy plants is actually one of the oldest plants on the planet and has been dated back to 230 million years ago. It will grow in dense clusters and will handle any amount of sun or shade, it is extremely hardy and a beautiful addition to your pond. Horsetail rush, with its cylindrical, jointed stems and feathery foliage, adds a prehistoric charm to pond landscapes. It thrives in wet conditions and provides habitat for amphibians and insects.
Lighting: Full shade - full sun (prefers partial sun)
Placement: 1"- 6" below surface
Growth rate: Fast
