Ponds and water features bring a captivating dimension to your garden, whether indoors or outdoors. However, if they’re left unadorned, they can appear somewhat bare. This is because water plants play a vital role in the ecosystem, serving as cover for various aquatic life forms, such as fish, mammals, birds, and insects. They also perform essential functions like filtering the water, preventing algae buildup, and oxygenating the environment.
Beyond their ecological significance, water plants contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your garden by introducing colors, textures, and depths. A pond teeming with cattails, taro, and arrow arums, surrounded by a tapestry of water lilies and ferns, is infinitely more captivating than an empty or barren pond. There are three primary categories of water plants: those that thrive on the surface, those that inhabit the edges, and those that flourish fully submerged.
These sub-groups include:* Floating* Marginal* SubmergedTo achieve a natural appearance, consider incorporating a diverse selection of plants from each category.
Benefits of Water Plants
Plants play a vital role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. One of their key functions is water filtration, where they remove nitrates from the water and produce clean oxygen. This process is particularly important for ponds housing fish, as plants help to mitigate the waste produced by these aquatic inhabitants. Furthermore, submerged plants are capable of producing large amounts of oxygen, which in turn keeps both the water and fish healthy.
These underwater gardens also provide fish with a natural hiding place. In addition, water plants utilize nutrients that would otherwise be consumed by algae, thereby helping to regulate excess growth and maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Outdoor Floating Plants
Floating plants are designed to thrive at the surface of your pond or water feature, effortlessly drifting with the flow of the water. Unlike their submersed counterparts, they don’t require soil anchoring, making them an excellent solution for regulating sunlight and preventing algae growth. By shading a portion of the water’s surface, floating plants can also help cool the water when it becomes too warm.
While these plants are incredibly low-maintenance, it’s essential to strike a balance between coverage and openness. Leave at least half of your pond’s surface unobstructed to facilitate natural gas exchange and maintain a healthy ecosystem.
When winter rolls around, many floating plant species struggle with frigid temperatures. To ensure their survival, consider relocating them to a warm indoor space or greenhouse until spring arrives.
I’ve had the pleasure of cultivating a range of floating plants on my own property, and I can confidently recommend those that require minimal upkeep yet make a significant visual impact on your garden.
Water Lettuce
This aquatic plant boasts a vibrant, deep green hue during the peak of summer, forming compact rosettes across the surface as it rapidly grows. Its ability to absorb significant amounts of nutrients makes it an excellent choice for controlling algae growth, thereby maintaining crystal-clear water. As this annual plant is sensitive to cold temperatures, it’s essential to relocate it indoors when winter approaches. Pistia stratiotes, commonly known as water lettuce, thrives in zones 9-11.
It can grow up to 2-4 inches tall and requires full sun exposure to flourish.
Water Hyacinth
Water hyacinth is notorious for its rapid growth, requiring regular trimming in small ponds. This aquatic plant produces vibrant flowers in a range of colors, typically white or purple, and thrives when provided with sufficient sunlight. One of its most impressive features is its exceptional water-filtering capabilities.
Zones: 9-11; Scientific name: Eichhornia crassipes; Size: up to 25 inches wide; Sun: Can tolerate full sun to full shade.
Dwarf Water Lily
When it comes to choosing the right water lilies for my ponds, I’ve found that dwarf water lilies are a perfect fit. Unlike regular water lilies, which can grow too large for smaller ponds, dwarf varieties offer a similar aesthetic without overwhelming the space.
One key consideration when planting dwarf water lilies is the water depth – they thrive in waters ranging from 1 to 18 inches deep.
Additionally, their delicate rhizomes require careful handling to avoid damage; rocks can be particularly hazardous due to their rough texture. On a positive note, if these plants do multiply too enthusiastically, it’s relatively easy to remove any excess.
Dwarf water lilies come in an array of colors and share many characteristics with their larger counterparts – the main difference being their smaller size. This versatile plant is available in both tropical and hardy varieties.
When it comes to zones, dwarf water lilies are suitable for areas ranging from 4-11. The scientific name for this species is Nymphaea leibergii, while its size remains under 5 inches – making it an ideal choice for smaller ponds. As for sunlight requirements, these plants can thrive in both full sun and partial shade.
Water Poppy
Water poppies bring a splash of vibrant color to a water garden. These plants boast lily-like foliage with shiny green leaves that produce bright yellow blooms from summer’s onset until its end. The ideal growing conditions for Hydrocleys nymphoides are zones 9-11, where it can thrive under full sun to partial shade. Its compact size allows it to spread up to 2 feet in width, while the flowers themselves reach a maximum of 3 inches.
White Snowflake
When cultivating this aquatic plant, I’ve found that it thrives as a marginal addition in water depths of around 12 inches. The resulting foliage is a lovely shade of green, accompanied by vibrant white blooms when grown in full sun. In partial shade, however, the focus shifts to lush foliage only. It’s essential to monitor its growth and prune as needed to prevent overgrowth, a common pitfall I’ve experienced firsthand.
As a precautionary note, some regions consider this species invasive, making vigilance crucial. For optimal growth, this plant is suitable for USDA zones 7-11, can spread up to 24 inches in size, and tolerates both full sun and partial shade.
Water Fern
Water fern creates a lush canopy on the surface of ponds, bringing a touch of elegance with its gradual transformation from gray-green to vibrant red hues throughout the growing season. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when cultivating this plant, as it has the potential to become invasive and outcompete native species. When planting water fern in your garden, make sure to contain it to prevent any unwanted spread.
Originally native to the southern United States, particularly Florida, water fern thrives in still or calm water environments.
In terms of hardiness zones, water fern is suitable for zones 7-10. Its scientific name is Azolla filiculoides, and it grows up to 3 inches tall with an indefinite spread. Water fern can tolerate a range of sunlight conditions, from partial shade to full sun.
Outdoor Marginal Plants
Marginal plants are a great way to add a natural touch to your pond’s edges. Not only do they provide visual appeal, but they also play a crucial role in controlling algae growth. Since these pesky aquatic organisms thrive in shallow, warm waters, marginal plants can be strategically placed where the water meets the land to keep them at bay.
When it comes to planting marginal plants, you have two options: placing them in a water basket that’s about 8 inches deep or directly into the soil.
As long as the plants are submerged in shallow water or moist earth, they’ll be happy and healthy. This versatility makes marginal plants an excellent choice for pond owners seeking to enhance their aquatic environment.
Chameleon Plant
I’m particularly fond of this marginal plant, as it effortlessly attracts a multitude of bees and butterflies to the garden. Its unique feature lies in its multi-colored leaves and delicate white flowers, which also earn it alternative names such as fish leaf, heart leaf, or Bishop’s weed. One of its greatest advantages is that it requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners.
To thrive, Houttuynia cordata prefers to be planted in a water basket and benefits from having the roots trimmed around the sides to control its rapid growth – a characteristic that sets it apart from other marginal plants I’ve worked with. As this plant grows at an impressive pace, it does, however, consume significant amounts of nutrients, which can potentially starve unwanted algae.
Houttuynia cordata is suitable for zones 4-10, growing up to 1.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions.
Corkscrew Rush
I’m particularly fond of the compact spiral rush (Juncus effusus f. Spiralis), which boasts slender, twisting stems that add a distinctive charm to water features. What’s more, this variety tends to remain relatively short-lived, so I’ve never found myself needing to perform extensive trimming to maintain its appearance within my water baskets. In terms of growing conditions, the spiral rush thrives in zones 4-10, where it can reach heights and widths of up to 18 inches.
It’s also tolerant of both full and partial sun, making it a versatile addition to any aquatic display.
Creeping Jenny
The Lysimachia nummularia, with its striking glossy leaves that transition from vibrant yellow to deep green, is a visually appealing addition to any aquatic environment. It thrives in areas where logs or rocks meet the water’s edge, and while it can spread rapidly, it remains non-invasive. As an added benefit, this plant has not ventured far into my pond, making maintenance a breeze.
Found in zones 3-7, Lysimachia nummularia reaches heights of up to 8 inches tall and spreads outwards to 2 feet wide. It flourishes under full sun to partial shade conditions.
Arrow Arum
The arrow arum, a native plant to the Eastern United States and Canada, boasts striking dark green leaves shaped like arrows. Its unique foliage adds texture to a water garden, particularly in shallow areas and pond edges. This versatile plant thrives in partial shade to full sun and can grow up to 2-3 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for zones 5-9.
Horsetail Reed
Horsetail reeds bring vibrant color to your water garden, year-round. Their unique characteristics make them an ideal choice for areas with poor drainage or contained ponds. This versatile plant thrives in zones 3-11, reaching heights of 4-3 feet and spreading indefinitely. It requires partial sun to flourish.
Marsh Marigold
The Caltha palustris, also known as the marsh marigold, is a perennial herb that belongs to the buttercup family. Its shiny green leaves are adorned with bright yellow flowers that bloom in the spring, adding a pop of color to the landscape. However, it’s essential to note that this plant contains toxic compounds that can be harmful to cattle and horses if ingested.
Additionally, it has the ability to thrive in environments with up to 6 inches of water, making it an ideal choice for wetland gardens or areas with poor drainage.
This hardy perennial can grow up to 24 inches tall and prefers full sun to light shade. It’s suitable for USDA zones 3-7 and can be grown in a variety of conditions.
Sweet Flag
The sweet flag is a standout plant with vibrant foliage that requires minimal upkeep. Its semi-evergreen nature makes it an excellent choice for areas where you want some year-round interest. One of its most notable features is the pleasant aroma it emits when trodden upon, making it a great option for walkways or paths. While it thrives in full sun, it can also tolerate partial shade, albeit at a slightly slower growth rate.
With a growing range spanning zones 5-11, this plant is suitable for a wide variety of environments.
Louisiana Iris
This stunning iris is a native of the southeastern United States, boasting an impressive array of colors and showy blossoms that rise above the foliage on sturdy stems. Interestingly, there are five distinct species within this plant family, although they exhibit remarkable adaptability in their ability to interbreed. When it comes to growing conditions, the ideal environment for these irises is full sun, with hardiness zones ranging from 6 to 11.
As mature plants, they typically reach heights of 2-3 feet tall at bloom time and spread about 3 feet wide.
Water Canna
The Thalia dealbata plant boasts striking foliage with a dark purple dot at the base of its leaves, making it an eye-catching addition to any water garden. Its clusters of rich purple flowers are particularly noteworthy when they bloom. With its hardiness extending to zones 8 and above, this plant stands tall at approximately four feet. It thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions.
Bog Bean
Bog bean, also referred to as water shamrock or buckbean, is a native plant in the United States and Europe that thrives in wet areas. Its unique foliage adds texture and visual interest to these environments. The plant produces spikes of delicate white and pink flowers from April to July, creating a striking display. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when growing bog bean, as it can spread aggressively and become invasive if not contained.
To avoid this issue, consider cultivating the plant in a controlled area or using a barrier to prevent its spreading. Overall, bog bean is an attractive addition to any garden or landscape that thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions.
Parrot’s Feather
Parrot’s feather, a striking plant with feathery fronds that can be found growing along pond borders. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when planting this species, as it has the potential to become invasive and spread quickly. In some cases, its rapid spread has even led to states outlawing its cultivation. Despite these concerns, Parrot’s feather is a hardy plant that thrives in zones 5-11, reaching heights of six inches tall and widths of up to five feet.
It prefers full sun to partial sun and can be cultivated in a variety of conditions.
Cattail
This remarkable plant thrives in aquatic environments, with its submerged roots and towering stem reaching up to 9 feet above the water’s surface. Its unique appearance is further enhanced by the birds and wildlife that call it home, using the rushes as a sanctuary for feeding and hiding. As winter approaches, the stalks transform into a striking sight, topped with cigar-shaped heads that can be harvested for decorative purposes.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of a water garden ecosystem by removing pollutants from the water and filtering out decomposed matter from other aquatic plants. Its adaptability makes it an excellent choice for zones 3-11, growing up to 7-9 feet tall under full sun conditions.
Pitcher Plant
Pitcher plants may seem like exotic tropical species, but they’re actually native to the United States. These carnivorous wonders are a thrilling addition to any water garden, as their tubular structures serve as natural traps for insects and small animals. With a wide range of varieties suited to different climates – from the cooler zones of Canada to the sweltering heat of Florida – there’s a pitcher plant out there for every gardener.
When it comes to growing conditions, these plants thrive in zones 2-9, where they can bask in full sun to light shade. At an impressive height of up to five feet tall, pitcher plants are sure to make a statement in any garden.
Rain Lily
The rain lily plant, also referred to as the fairy lily or zephyr lily, is a summer-blooming perennial that differs significantly from its spring-blooming crocus counterpart. Characterized by slender, grass-like foliage and an array of colorful blooms, ranging from white and coral hues to vibrant pinks and deep violets, this charming plant thrives in zones 7-11. Reaching heights of 3-18 inches, the rain lily requires full sun exposure to reach its full potential.
Papyrus
The ancient Egyptians prized this plant for its versatility, using it to create paper and woven goods. Also known as the umbrella plant or bulrush, it’s characterized by its tall stalks topped with a distinctive umbrella-like arrangement of foliage at the crown. Depending on the specific variety and growing conditions, Cyperus papyrus can be an annual or half-hardy perennial. It thrives in zones 8-19, reaching heights of up to 10 feet in full sun to partial shade.
Taro
The taro plant’s striking, bold leaves bring visual appeal to the borders of your pond. However, they are sensitive to strong winds, so providing some shelter will result in impressive leaves that resemble an elephant ear. Notably, this crop is commercially grown in Hawaii as a food source. For optimal growth, place it in zones 8-10 and ensure it receives full sun to partial shade. The plant itself can reach heights and widths of 3-6 feet, making it a notable addition to your outdoor space.
Japanese Primrose
Japanese primrose, also known as Japanese cowslip or candelabra primrose, is a versatile and attractive addition to any water garden. While it can tolerate boggy soils, it thrives in well-drained conditions. To maximize its impact, plant it in the outer areas of your garden where it can showcase its tall, vibrant pink, purple, and red flowers. As an added bonus, this variety attracts butterflies, adding to the overall ambiance of your outdoor space.
In terms of hardiness, Japanese primrose is suitable for zones 4-8, growing up to 2 feet in height and spreading approximately 1 foot wide. It prefers full sun to partial sun, making it a great option for areas that receive direct sunlight or dappled shade.
Outdoor Submerged Water Plants
Underwater vegetation plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of your pond’s ecosystem. One of the most significant benefits is that they produce oxygen during daylight hours, releasing it directly into the water column. This natural process helps to replenish the oxygen levels in your pond, creating a healthier environment for fish and other aquatic life.
Additionally, submerged plants provide shelter and cover for fish, allowing them to feel secure and protected from potential predators. As an added bonus, they root themselves to the bottom of the pond, stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion.
Hornwort
One of my absolute favorite submerged plants is Hornwort, also known as coontail. It has a unique growth habit that allows it to float just above the substrate without requiring any special equipment like baskets or anchors. This easy-to-manage plant thrives in well-oxygenated water and is an excellent choice for beginners. In terms of its environmental preferences, Hornwort can be found thriving in zones 3-11. Measuring approximately 1.
5 inches tall and up to 24 inches wide, this versatile plant can tolerate a range of lighting conditions, from full shade to full sun.
Anacharis
When introducing anacharis (elodea) into your pond, consider the size of your water feature and the growth habits of this aquatic plant. While suitable for ponds of all sizes, it’s essential to ensure at least a few inches of water depth is present. As the greenery grows towards the surface, beautiful white blooms will follow. For smaller ponds, containerize anacharis in pots to prevent it from quickly filling the available space.
This species thrives in zones 6-10 and can grow up to 10 feet wide, reaching heights of 6 inches tall. Anacharis can tolerate a range of sunlight conditions, from full sun to complete shade.
Water Clover
Water clover (Marsilea macropoda) is a native plant to certain regions of the United States, with its range spanning parts of Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana. One characteristic that sets this species apart is its rapid spreading nature, making it essential to regularly thin out the population to maintain a healthy balance. With regards to climate suitability, water clover thrives in zones 5-11, where it can grow up to 10 inches tall under optimal conditions.
Notably, the plant can tolerate a wide range of light exposure, from full sun to complete shade.
Water Lotus
This water garden showstopper demands warmth to flourish, excelling in areas that receive around six hours of direct sunlight daily. When its requirements are met, you can expect vibrant, large blooms in the summer and extending into the fall. A fascinating detail is that these flowers unfold during the warmest parts of the day, only to close up at night, with each blossom lasting approximately five days. Even without the showy blooms, the impressive leaves provide a striking visual display.
With proper care, Nelumbo lutea can thrive in zones 4-10 and reach heights of 18-60 inches tall and widths of up to six feet. It thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Indoor Water Plants
For those with the luxury of an indoor pond or large aquarium, a vast array of aquatic plants awaits. While many species typically thrive in outdoor environments, several options commonly found outdoors can also flourish indoors, such as parrot’s feather, hornwort, water hyacinth, and water fern, which can bring a touch of natural beauty to your indoor space.
Calla Lily
While calla lilies are surprisingly tolerant of damp conditions, they actually prefer well-draining soil and don’t do well when fully submerged. One of their most distinctive features is the showy white blooms that are actually modified leaves. This adaptability allows you to grow calla lilies outdoors during the warmer months and bring them inside for the cooler seasons.
In terms of specific growing conditions, calla lilies typically thrive in full sun to partial shade and can reach heights of 24-36 inches tall. Their scientific name is Zantedeschia aethiopica.
Duckweed
Water lentils, scientifically known as Lemnaceae, are a tiny treat for aquatic life. Measuring under half an inch in height, this charming plant thrives when its nutritional needs are met, particularly with regards to nitrogen. Interestingly, it doesn’t fare well in fast-moving water, instead preferring full sun to moderate shade conditions.
Water Spangle
Salvinia minima, also referred to as mini water velvet or common salvinia, is a valuable asset in aquariums where sunlight control is crucial. By forming dense mats on the water’s surface, it effectively blocks out sunlight and prevents algae growth. However, this plant can be invasive, so it’s essential to maintain control once it becomes established.
As for its physical characteristics, Salvinia minima grows up to 24-36 inches tall and thrives in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade.
The Final Word On Water Plants
While growing water plants may seem intimidating at first, many garden stores offer expert advice to help you get started. A great way to begin is by starting small with a few different species to learn their unique needs, habits, and growth rates. Once you’ve got your plants settled, you can introduce fish to the environment, ensuring the water is balanced and healthy for both.
The benefits of incorporating water plants into your aquatic feature are numerous – they bring color, texture, and vitality to the space, while also providing sustenance, shelter, and oxygen for fish. Furthermore, they enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the area, making it a worthwhile endeavor.
