Pond Plants 101: Your Guide to Plants for Outdoor Ponds
Ponds are a beautiful and relaxing addition to any outdoor space, and choosing the right plants can add even more beauty and functionality to your pond.
In this guide, we will introduce you to some of the most popular pond plants and provide detailed information on choosing and caring for these plants to ensure they thrive in your pond.
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How To Plant & Care for Pond Plants
Learn how to plant and care for the most popular types of aquatic plants in your pond or aquarium. Each guide comes with planting instructions, care tips, answers to frequently asked questions, and more!
Anacharis
Learn how to plant anacharis in a pond and in an aquarium! Plus, learn how to properly care for anacharis and much more!
Cabomba
Learn how to plant Cabomba in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Cabomba throughout the year and much more!
Calla Lilies
Learn how to plant calla lilies in a pond, care for calla lilies throughout the year, and why you should keep them away from your fish.
Creeping Jenny
Learn step-by-step how to plant Creeping Jenny in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Creeping Jenny, some important winter care tips, and much more!
Floating Heart
Learn how to plant Floating Heart (Nymphoides Peltata) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Floating Heart throughout the year and much more!
Frogbit
Learn how to plant frogbit in a pond for the best results! Plus, some important tips to care for Frogbit year-round.
Hornwort
Learn how to plant Hornwort (Ceratophyllum Demersum) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Hornwort throughout the year and much more!
Horsetail
Learn how to plant horsetail in a pond, care for it throughout the year, and some fun horsetail facts!
Lemon Bacopa
Learn how to plant Lemon Bacopa (Bacopa Caroliniana) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Lemon Bacopa throughout the year and much more!
Lily Pads
Learn how to plant lily pads in a pond and properly care for lilies throughout the different seasons.
Papyrus
Learn how to plant papyrus in a pond (both dwarf and giant papyrus) plus how to care for this popular plant throughout the year.
Parrot Feather
Learn how to plant Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum Aquaticum) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Parrot Feather throughout the year and much more!
Pickerelweed
Learn how to plant Pickerelweed (Pontederia Cordata) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Pickerelweed throughout the year and much more!
Red Ludwigia
Learn how to plant Red Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Red Ludwigia throughout the year and much more!
Rotala
Learn how to plant Rotala (Rotala Rotundifolia) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Rotala throughout the year and much more!
Taro
Learn how to plant taro (elephant ear) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for taro including overwintering and much more!
Umbrella Palm
Learn how to plant Umbrella Palm (Cyperus Alternifolius) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Umbrella Palm throughout the year and much more!
Vallisneria
Learn how to plant Vallisneria in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Vallisneria throughout the year and much more!
Water Hyacinth
Learn how to plant Water Hyacinth in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Water Hyacinth throughout the year and much more!
Water Iris
Learn how to plant Water Iris (Iris Laevigata) in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for Water Iris throughout the year and much more!
Water Lettuce
Learn how to plant water lettuce in a pond, properly care for it, and ensure it doesn't grow out of control.
Watercress
Learn how to plant watercress in a pond! Plus, learn how to properly care for this type of aquatic flowering plant year-round.
Yellow Flag Iris
Learn how to plant yellow flag iris in a pond, how to care for it, plus how to control it as it is an invasive species in many regions.
Pond Plant Care Card Set
Pond Plant Removal
Is duckweed taking over your pond? We show you how to easily get rid of duckweed and keep it under control for good!
While some pond owners welcome cattails, others not so much! For those looking to get rid of them, we'll show you how to kill cattails in a pond quickly and easily - with or without chemicals!
Are water lilies overtaking your pond? Learn how to get rid of lily pads in a pond naturally or with the use of herbicides.
Best Pond Plants
Pond plants can reduce algae, clean your water and supply vital oxygen. But, which plants should you choose? Here are the 10 best oxygenating pond plants for your pond or water garden!
Floating pond plants can be extremely beneficial for your pond, but can cause major issues if left unchecked. Here are our top 5 floating pond plants, plus how to properly plant and care for each!
Discover the seven best pond bog plants for any pond! Plus, learn how to plant and best care for each with our downloadable care cards.
Marginal pond plants help prevent soil erosion, filter pond water, and create a beautiful transition from your pond to land. Here I detail 14 of the best marginal pond plants and how to plant and care for each.
More Pond Plant Guides
What pond plants survive the winter? We look at the 10 best cold-hardy pond plants that will survive winter and pop back to life in Spring!
Learn how to keep pond plants alive over winter with our easy-to-follow care guide.
Where to Buy Pond Plants
There are a few different places where you can buy pond plants, including:
- Nurseries and garden centers: Many local nurseries and garden centers carry a selection of pond plants, including water lilies, irises, cattails, rushes, and more.
- Online retailers: There are a number of online retailers that specialize in pond plants, such as The Pond Megastore and The Pond Guy. These retailers often offer a wide variety of plants and can ship them directly to your home. You can even find sellers on Amazon for the most popular types of pond plants.
- Local pond societies or clubs: Many areas have local pond societies or clubs that may sell pond plants at their meetings or through online marketplaces. These plants are often locally grown and can be a great option for finding unique or hard-to-find varieties. Tip: If you have an aggressive grower, you may be able to cut some off and trade it for a different plant with a fellow pond owner.
- Local classifieds or online marketplaces: You may be able to find pond plants for sale through local classified ads or online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
When shopping for pond plants, whether locally or online, it's a good idea to do your research and consider the specific needs and characteristics of different plants before making a decision.
Make sure to choose plants that are suitable for the size and depth of your pond, as well as the amount of sunlight it receives. It's also a good idea to consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and whether you want plants that produce flowers or foliage.
FAQ
What Is the Best Plant for a Pond or Water Garden?
Many different plants can be used in a pond or water garden, and the best plant for you will depend on your personal preferences and the specific needs of your pond. Some popular plants for ponds and water gardens include:
- Water lilies: Water lilies are classic pond plants that provide a beautiful display of flowers and floating leaves. They come in various colors and sizes and can be grown in pots or baskets in shallow areas of the pond.
- Water Iris: Water irises are a great option for pond margins and shallow pond areas. They have tall, elegant flowers and attractive foliage and come in a wide range of colors.
- Anacharis: Anacharis is a submerged pond plant that is excellent at oxygenating pond water and helps to keep pond water clean and clear by competing with algae for nutrients.
- Rushes: Rushes are another type of grass-like plant that is often found in ponds and wetlands. They have slender, upright stems and small, inconspicuous flowers and are often used as background plants in pond gardens.
Ultimately, the best plant for your pond will depend on the size and depth of your pond, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. It's a good idea to research and consider different plants' specific needs and characteristics before deciding.
What Plants Grow in a Pond?
Plants that grow in ponds are called aquatic plants and are typically grow fully submerged under the water, float on the surface of the pond, or grow in the marginal/boggy areas and emerge from the water. A few popular examples of these include floating plants like water lilies and floating heart, submerged pond plants like anacharis and cabomba, and marginal/bog plants like creeping jenny and horsetail rush.
What Are the Best Pond Plants to Keep Water Clear?
Pond plants can help to keep ponds clean by absorbing excess nutrients from the water and providing oxygen to the pond ecosystem. This can help to reduce algae growth and improve the overall water quality.
Submerged plants, such as hornwort and cabomba, grow underwater and absorb excess nutrients, which helps to reduce algae growth and keep the water clear. Floating plants, such as water lilies and water lettuce, also absorb excess nutrients from the water and provide shade, which can help to reduce algae growth.
It's important to note that pond plants should be used in combination with proper pond maintenance, including the use of a pond filter and in certain circumstances water changes, to ensure the health and clarity of the water. Additionally, it's a good idea to choose a variety of plants to create a balanced ecosystem and ensure that the pond has a consistent source of oxygen.
When choosing plants for your pond, consider the temperature zone you live in, the size and depth of your pond, as well as the amount of sunlight it receives. Some plants require full sun, while others prefer partial shade. You should also consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and whether you want plants that produce flowers or foliage.
How Do You Plant Pond Plants?
How you plant pond plants will depend on the type of plant and the species. For example, floating plants like Frogbit, Water lettuce, and Water Hyacinths can be scattered across the water's surface. On the other hand, Lily pads and Floating Heart are best planted in pots submerged under water. Marginal plants are typically planted directly into the soil, or you can plant them in aquatic planters and place them in your pond's shallow or boggy areas.
How you plant pond plants will vary, so please refer to the specific plant above for detailed instructions and care tips.
How Do I Care for Pond Plants?
Pond plants generally require regular maintenance, including trimming, fertilizing, and in some cases, controlling pests. The hardiness of the plant ill also play a role in how you care for it over winter. Less hardy plant may have to be brought indoors, while some of the hardier types can be left in the pond.
Tip: Check out our plant guides above for specific care instructions for each type of plant.
Can I Grow Pond Plants Indoors?
Some pond plants, such as water lilies, can be grown indoors in a large container. Depending on the plant, they may need need a high-quality soil mix, plenty of sunlight, and regular watering and fertilizing. It is important to monitor the water quality and pH levels in an indoor pond or container to ensure the health and survival of the plants.
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