14 Best Marginal Pond Plants (Free Plant Care Cards)
by Tory Jon | Last Updated: December 23, 2022
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Marginal pond plants are similar to bog plants in that they grow in shallow waters along the pond’s edge. In fact, the terms marginal plant and bog plant are often used interchangeably (I cover their main differences below).
Marginal pond plants make a great addition to any pond as they help prevent soil erosion, filter pond water, and create a beautiful transition from your pond to land.
So, let’s look at 14 of the best marginal pond plants and how to plant and care for each.
Marginal Pond Plants Comparison Chart
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Best Marginal Pond Plants
The best marginal pond plants help prevent soil erosion, consume excess nutrients, filter pond water, and are easy to care for. Examples include Red Ludwigia, Creeping Jenny, Rotala, Lemon Bacopa, Watercress, and more.
Many marginal plants fit the criteria above, so it typically comes down to choosing the plants you feel look the best along your water's edge. Remember, marginal plants have one of the biggest roles in the aesthetics of your pond!
Let's take a closer look at our favorite marginal pond plants and find the best one(s) for you and your pond!
Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
From its elegant, trumpet-shaped white flowers to the dark, emerald-green foliage forming a wavy pattern over the leaves, there is a lot to love about the Calla Lily plant.
You will find Calla lilies growing abundantly from late spring through summer. The beautiful cut flowers from this plant can complement your interior decor, as well.
That said, it is important to note that all parts of the calla lily are poisonous, so keep the plant out of reach from children and pets.
For koi ponds, ensure that these pond plants are not submerged to depths where your fish could easily access and feed on them.
Calla Lilies Quick Facts
This marginal/bog plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. The Calla Lilies plant can grow up to 12 to 24 inches and typically blooms late spring through summer with white, pink, yellow, purple, or black flowers.
Calla Lilies Planting Tips
- For best results, plant your calla lilies in moist soil in the boggy areas of your pond. The ideal planting depth is 2 inches. Calla lilies thrive in a moist environment, so be sure to water them during extended dry spells. They are better off in full sun, except for warmer zones where you may want to give them partial shade.
- I recommend that you use extra-large fabric planters when putting your calla lilies in the pond. With heavy loam soil in the fabric planter, plant two to three calla lilies in the container. You can then place the container in the part of your pond where it will get the most sun. When placing in the pond, ensure that the water is about an inch above the roots.
- You will get the best bloom and rich plants if you fertilize once a month, preferably June through August.
Check out our full guide on how to plant calla lilies in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Calla Lilies Plant Care Card
Click the Calla Lilies care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny should be on your list if you are considering adding an oxygenating pond plant to your water garden.
The characteristic green foliage adds beauty to your pond by cascading down the rockery of your waterfall, emerging from the shallow edges of your pond, or spreading down the sides of a planting container.
Creeping Jenny Quick Facts
This marginal/bog plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 4-10. The Creeping Jenny plant can grow up to 1 to 4 inches tall and a 12 to 18 inch spread and typically blooms in Summer.
Creeping Jenny Planting Tips
- Plant Creeping Jenny directly into your pond or water garden in shallow water of up to 2 inches. This will serve as an ideal habitat for small pond fish, insects, and frogs.
- You can also plant it as fillers in-between waterfalls or rocks, where they fill spaces, or as a trailing plant in hanging baskets, window boxes, or containers. Creeping Jenny is also perfect for areas that allow it to cascade, for instance, over a bank or a wall.
- When planting, it is best to add the plant to each planting container (containing your preferred aquatic planting media) loosely. Fertilize the bottom half of the planting media, place the plant in the pot ensuring it goes into the center with the roots spread out over the planting media. Then add more media up to 2/3 to the top. In most cases, the crown of the plant, connecting the stems and the roots, can go as far as 1-2 inches below the surface of the planting media.
- For best results, do not use bagged potting mix or similar lightweight soils – they have high floating tendencies and may muddy your pond water.
Check out our full guide on how to plant creeping jenny in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Creeping Jenny Plant Care Card
Click the Creeping Jenny care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Horsetail (Equisetum)
The horsetail plant is well known for its medicinal purposes that date back several thousands of years. Even more amazing, botanists consider the plant a living fossil, with its earliest known existence predating even the dinosaurs - 350 million years ago!
Horsetail, also commonly known as horse bristle or snake grass, is native to Europe. Horsetail is identifiable by its jointed, hollow green stems, which are furrowed with black bands. It is often mistaken for bamboo.
You can use horsetail as an accent plant to complement your pond’s rocky edge, as a partial cover for your pond or pond equipment, or anything else your imagination can dream up!
The Horsetail plant comes in various species, but the Horsetail Rush (Equisetum Hyemale) is the most popular and most used in backyard ponds.
Horsetail Quick Facts
This marginal pond plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 4-12. The Horsetail plant can grow up to 4 feet tall (sometimes more) and typically blooms year round with green flowers.
Horsetail Planting Tips
- Horsetail should be planted in a container with a depth and width of roughly 12 inches. Fill the container with loam topsoil (not rocks) and plant the horsetail rush into the bottom of the container. Submerge the container on a stable shelf in your pond, leaving up to an inch of water above the soil. Keep the roots contained in the pot as the horsetail plant likes to roam.
- Horsetail reed grows well in full sun to partial shade.
Check out our full guide on how to plant horsetail in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Horsetail Plant Care Card
Click the Horsetail care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Lemon Bacopa (Bacopa Caroliniana)
Lemon Bacopa is a very interesting pond plant that can mostly be found in the southern United States, South Korea, and even some parts of Europe.
The lemon bacopa is a very easily recognizable plant. It features simple yet distinct blue five-leave flowers and has a lemony scent. It makes a great filler plant between waterfall rocks and provides a soft transition along your pond's edge.
The roots of this plant are extremely useful to your pond's water and the environment – utilizing excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals - thus acting as a purifier for your pond!
Lemon Bacopa Quick Facts
This marginal/bog plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zone 6 - 11. The Lemon Bacopa plant can grow up to 6+ inches tall with 2 foot spread and typically blooms early April through late September, depending on temperature with purple or blue flowers.
Lemon Bacopa Planting Tips
- Lemon bacopa can be planted in containers with loamy soil and placed on pond shelves as an emergent plant or placed at the bottom of your pond as a submerged plant. I recommend planting in pots as opposed to directly in your pond's substrate to help contain growth.
Check out our full guide on how to plant lemon bacopa in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Lemon Bacopa Plant Care Card
Click the Lemon Bacopa care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
Papyrus belongs to the genus Cyperus and is often called the bulrush or Umbrella plant.
Although the genus is native to Madagascar, Papyrus plants have an important history in ancient and civilized Egypt. Papyrus has been used as paper, fragrance, food, and woven goods over the years.
Papyrus is identifiable by its thin, dark green stalks and light green tufts of foliage. This tropical bog plant is classified as a sedge and thrives in warm and moist environments. Papyrus grows as a half-hardy perennial or an annual in most zones.
Papyrus Quick Facts
This marginal pond plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 8-10. The Papyrus plant can grow up to 24 inches in height for dwarf papyrus and up to 8 ft. for giant papyrus and typically blooms mid to late summer with greenish brown flowers.
Papyrus Planting Tips
- The most common types of Papyrus planted in backyard ponds are Giant Papyrus and Dwarf papyrus (and there is even a Dwarf Giant Papyrus.)
- The dwarf papyrus is best planted in 8-inch (or larger) containers containing moist loamy soil. You can also plant it in the ground with similar soil conditions. Either way, ensure the plant receives full sun to partial shade. The containers should be placed on the ledge or shelf of your pond, with the pond water covering the pot by 2 to 4 inches.
- You can plant the giant papyrus both in and out of the pond. When planting, ensure the plant’s crown is above the water - you may submerge the roots.
- Preferably, plant Giant papyrus in at least a 12” by 12” container. Be sure to pack the bottom of the container with rocks (or a weight) to keep strong winds from blowing your plant over. Use heavy loam soil for planting.
- You will need to fertilize your giant papyrus once a month for the best results. Full sun to partial shade will help Giant papyrus grow up to heights of 6 – 8 feet! The giant papyrus is hardy in zones 8-12.
Dwarf Papyrus & Dwarf Giant Papyrus
Giant Papyrus
Check out our full guide on how to plant papyrus in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Papyrus Plant Care Card
Click the Papyrus care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum Aquaticum)
The Parrot Feather plant, commonly called Brazillian watermilfoil, is native to South America. This is a feathery plant with small leaves and a very gentle look.
This is a highly popular plant around the UK and throughout the US. But, it can be an incredibly invasive plant, so expect to regularly keep this plant trimmed down to prevent it from choking out other plants in your pond. Also, check whether it is legal to plant it in your area before you purchase it.
The parrot feather is considered one of the most popular decorative pond plants, with many added benefits that include utilizing excess nutrients, oxygenating water, and filtering out pollutants.
Parrot Feather Quick Facts
This marginal pond plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zone 6 - 11. The Parrot Feather plant can grow up to 60" tall in the right conditions and typically blooms through summer, depending on temperature with green or yellow flowers.
Parrot Feather Planting Tips
- Parrots Feather can be planted directly in the substrate (or in pots) around the shallow edge of the pond, where it will create a beautiful transition from the pond to the shoreline. I recommend planting Parrot's Feather in pots to help contains their growth.
Check out our full guide on how to plant parrot feather in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Parrot Feather Plant Care Card
Click the Parrot Feather care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Pickerelweed (Pontederia Cordata)
Pickerelweed is a beautiful, sizeable plant found throughout Canada, North America, and the Caribbean!
The name for this plant is derived from the pickerel fish, commonly known as the northern pike, which finds shade among the thick stems and leaves of this plant.
The nectar this plant produces attracts bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, which not only adds a living element to your pond but is also good for the environment.
Pickerelweed Quick Facts
This marginal/bog plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun. It is hardy in USDA Zone 3 - 10. The Pickerelweed plant can grow up to 4 ft tall in the right conditions and typically blooms June through late October with blue or violet flowers.
Pickerelweed Planting Tips
- Pickerelweed is best planted in pots with potting media and a thin layer of small gravel on top (to keep the media from floating out into your pond) and placed around the marginal areas of your pond in 3 to 5 inches of water. Make sure it's in a spot that gets ample sunlight.
Check out our full guide on how to plant pickerelweed in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Pickerelweed Plant Care Card
Click the Pickerelweed care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Red Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens)
Red Ludwigia has been noted as a variation of Ludwigia plants. You can also find it under the name “Ludwigia Repens.”
Other than the Red Ludwigia, there are more than 50 other species similar to it, and they are found in North America, South America, and some other tropical climates. Naturally, this is one of those pond plants that thrive in damp, warm, and sunny conditions.
This popular plant is commonly grown as a submerged plant or as an emergent plant near the pond's edge, where it will consume nutrients that would otherwise fuel algae growth. This helps keep your pond clean and clear!
Red Ludwigia Quick Facts
This marginal/submerged plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun. It is hardy in USDA Zone 5 - 11. The Red Ludwigia plant can grow up to 36 inches and typically blooms Spring to Fall with yellow flowers.
Red Ludwigia Planting Tips
- To plant Ludwigia in a pond, anchor the stems or roots of the plants in 1-2 inches of the substrate, so they don't float back to the surface. You can also plant them in containers and place them on a planting shelve in your pond, as they are emergent plants and will grow above the water's surface.
- Ludwigia thrives in various planting media – aquarium gravel, muck, loam, or aquatic soil.
- For best results, ensure a minimum spacing of 1 inch among Ludwigia plants. This will prevent any direct nutrient competition among them.
Check out our full guide on how to plant red ludwigia in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Red Ludwigia Plant Care Card
Click the Red Ludwigia care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Rotala (Rotala Rotundifolia)
Rotala, commonly known as Dwarf Rotala or Roundleaf Toothcup, is an aquatic perennial plant, and it will grow in all kinds of conditions, from the rice paddies of Southeast Asia to home aquariums and outdoor ponds!
Rotala has stems that protrude from the water's surface with flowers that appear during the it's bloom period.
This popular pond plant is commonly grown in marginal and boggy areas near the pond's edge. It's excellent at consuming nutrients that would otherwise fuel algae growth, helping to keep your pond water clean and clear!
Rotala Quick Facts
This marginal/submerged plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zone 6 - 13. The Rotala plant can grow up to 30+ inches and typically blooms Spring through early Summer with purple or pink flowers.
Rotala Planting Tips
- To plant Rotala in a pond, anchor the cuttings of the plants in 1-2 inches of the substrate. You can also plant them in containers and place them on a planting shelve in your pond, as they are emergent plants and will grow above the water's surface. This will help contain them as they can grow extremely fast.
- Rotala thrives in various depths - from 2 inches to 2 feet - as long as they can get ample sunlight.
- For best results, ensure a minimum spacing of 1 inch among Ludwigia plants. This will prevent any direct nutrient competition among them.
Check out our full guide on how to plant rotala in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Rotala Plant Care Card
Click the Rotala care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
One of the easiest ways to infuse the tropical look into your patio, deck, or pond is to introduce Taro.
Often referred to as Elephant Ear, this pond plant is a great sight to behold, thanks to its large, lime-green leaves that are heart-shaped and resemble an elephant's ear. You can also find Taro plants with black or purple colored leaves.
Taro looks great in pots around the patio or pool, or plant shelves close to the edge of a pond. This height of this plant makes it the perfect screen, border, or backdrop.
Taro is a common feature across the Pacific, alongside other important food crops. The versatile roots of Taro can be cooked like potatoes! They are often made into chips, boiled, baked, or mashed.
Taro Quick Facts
This marginal pond plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. The Taro plant can grow up to 4 ft. high with a 24 inch spread and typically blooms June to August.
Taro Planting Tips
- For best results, Taro should be planted directly into the pond planting shelves (1 to 3" deep) or in a planting container and placed into the pond.
- Fill a 5-gallon container half full with planting media.
- Place aquatic plant fertilizer tablets into the bottom half of the planting media
- Fill the container 2/3 to the top with more planting media, covering the fertilizer.
- Place the plant in the center of the pot while spreading the roots out and covering them with the planting media. The crown (the part connecting the stems and the roots) should go as low as 1 inch under the surface of the planting media for best results.
- Place container on a planting shelf in your pond.
Check out our full guide on how to plant taro in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Taro Plant Care Card
Click the Taro care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Umbrella Palm (Cyperus Alternifolius)
Umbrella Palm, often referred to as just "palm" or sedge, is a tropical pond plant that is super easy to grow and care for.
This tropical plant features long stiff stems and leaves that fan out, mimicking the look of an umbrella. This impressive plant's height will make it stand out, sometimes reaching 5-plus feet! If that's too much for your pond area, a dwarf umbrella palm reaches about 2 feet tall.
Remember, since this is a tropical plant, it will thrive in warmer climates and must be brought inside over winter.
Umbrella Palm Quick Facts
This marginal/bog plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zone 8 - 10. The Umbrella Palm plant can grow up to 5 ft. tall and typically blooms July through August with brown flowers.
Umbrella Palm Planting Tips
- Umbrella Palm is best planted in pots with potting media and a thin layer of small gravel on top (to keep the media from floating out into your pond) and placed around the marginal areas of your pond in up to 6 inches of water. Make sure it's in a spot that gets ample sunlight. Planting in a container will make it easy to control growth and remove the plant to overwinter.
Check out our full guide on how to plant umbrella palm in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Umbrella Palm Plant Care Card
Click the Umbrella Palm care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Water Iris (Iris Laevigata)
Water Iris, sometimes referred to as Rabbit's Ear Iris, is a semi-aquatic plant that will add beauty and color to your backyard pond!
If you are creating an ornamental wildlife pond, then this is the perfect addition to it! This plant will make an excellent transition from the edge of your pond to the landscaping around it (where they even prevent erosion).
In addition to this, water irises help remove toxins and keep pond water clean and clear. And if you're worried about your fish eating them, you'll be happy to hear that they typically tend to avoid them!
Water Iris Quick Facts
This marginal/bog plant should be planted in an area that receives full to partial sun. It is hardy in USDA Zone 5 - 9. The Water Iris plant can grow up to 24 inches and typically blooms May through July with whte or blue flowers.
Water Iris Planting Tips
- Water Iris should be planted in a one-gallon or larger container with a rich sandy/soil mix and placed in your pond marginal area with around 3" of water covering the pot. Fertilize the plants once a month throughout Summer.
Check out our full guide on how to plant water iris in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Water Iris Plant Care Card
Click the Water Iris care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
Watercress belongs to the cabbage family of the Brassicaceae family.
It is an aquatic flowering plant commonly found growing in moist soil or shallow water. It really comes in handy in giving a lighter look to your pond edges, streambeds, or creek, thanks to its small, green, and white flowers.
>One of the many benefits of Watercress is its health benefits. And I'm not talking about just pond health. The leaves and sprouts of this plant are edible and are considered one of the healthiest vegetables in the world.
Watercress Quick Facts
This marginal pond plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 6-11. The Watercress plant can grow up to 6 to 24 inches high and typically blooms Spring to late Fall with white flowers.
Watercress Planting Tips
- You can either plant the seeds or the already established Watercress plants. For the seeds, all you have to do is place them in damp soil up to 2 inches deep (roughly 5cm).
- If you are planting established plants, place them in sufficient saturated soil so that the roots and about an inch of the stem are covered. Alternatively, you can place them in water, with up to half of the stem submerged. The submerged roots (in water) should be covered with substrate and rocks to ensure that pond fish don’t dig them up and feed on them.
Check out our full guide on how to plant watercress in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Watercress Plant Care Card
Click the Watercress care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
The Yellow Flag Iris or Iris pseudacorus is a perennial, herbaceous, aquatic plant and a prominent member of the Iridaceae family. Also known as water flag or yellow iris, this flowering plant is native to three different continents – northwest Africa, western Asia, and Europe.
The bright colors of this plant helps them stand out along the edge of the pond's water.
But that is the sweet part – the yellow flag iris can also be destructive. Its invasive nature makes it a menace in different states and other countries.
And beyond its invasiveness, it can have negative effects on humans and animals alike. On contact with human skin, the resin content of the plant can cause skin irritation. Plus, it can potentially sicken animals when eaten which is why herbivores avoid them as much as possible.
Planting yellow flag iris is subjected to local regulations. Even when you are allowed to plant, you must not release these types of irises in any form into waterways or pubic water bodies.
Yellow Flag Iris Quick Facts
This marginal pond plant should be planted in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. The Yellow Flag Iris plant can grow up to 2 to 4 ft. tall and typically blooms May to June with yellow flowers.
Yellow Flag Iris Planting Tips
- When it comes to planting yellow flag in a pond or water garden, the key part is the rhizome or root. Start by positioning the root in the aquatic planting media, with the cut end tuber standing against the side of the planting container, rather than the middle.
- This positioning ensures the root is well spaced to spread across the entire planting container. For best results, do not use bagged potting mix or similar lightweight soil – they end up floating and clouding your pond water.
- The planting container should be placed on the planting shelf at about 6 inches into the water.
Check out our full guide on how to plant yellow flag iris in a pond, properly care for it, and much more!
Yellow Flag Iris Plant Care Card
Click the Yellow Flag Iris care card below and save the PDF to your computer or phone. Print the 3x5 card or access it right from your mobile device - anytime, anywhere. It's 100% free!
