If you have a garden pond or water garden, choosing your plants is the best, and sometimes the most intimidating part of the process! Sure, adding plants gives you pond life, helps it blend in with the rest of the garden and feeds a healthy bio-system within your pond. But let’s face it, most of us want it easy. The last thing we need is a bunch of delicate plants dying when we look at them the wrong way. Here are the top pond plants to grow by experts who love them for their ease of care, beauty and contribution to the pond ecosystem.
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But first: Why does my pond need plants?
Aquatic plants are one of the most important elements of a healthy, attractive pond. First of all, you can use pond plants for algae control. They control algae by absorbing excess nutrients and providing shade, reducing algae growth (because no one wants an overly slimy pond!). Floating plants too protect the fish from too much sun report and offering cover from predators such as herons and other hungry birds.
As if that wasn’t enough, oxygenating pond plants naturally improves water quality filtering nutrients and releasing oxygen. Their leaves, stems and roots they create valuable habitat for fish, frogs, snails and other pond creatures, providing shelter, breeding grounds and food sources. And finally, besides being practical, they are beautiful!
Types of water plants for ponds
Remember how we said these plants die when we look at them the wrong way? It really does feel that way sometimes! Understanding the basics can help, starting with the three main types of pond plants:
Customs plants
Marsh plants are aquatic plants with roots that are planted underwater, but near the edges of the pond. Their roots hold them in place and they are best planted in larger pots and then placed in the water at the edge of the pond.
The best placement has the roots 2-3 inches below the surface of the water. In nature, these would be the plants whose roots would control lakeshore erosion.
Floating plants
Floating plants do just that… they float on the surface of the water and therefore have no formal root system to hold them in place. Many of these are considered invasive species and are difficult to control. Water Martuce is a good example.
Pond plants
Pond plants are plants that are potted under water and can be planted at the bottom of the pond at any point. They grow long stems that break the surface of the water to bloom and sometimes their leaves. Water lilies and lotus are top favorites.
The best water plants for ponds
In general, it is best to have a few different types of plants for the most natural pond. Either you are building a pond from scratch or you need some new installations for an existing one backyard koi pond, here are our top picks!
Tornado
Rush is a perennial hardy to zone 4, will take some shade and adds great texture and interest to the garden. It is an easy plant to grow (or so they say…).
Papyrus
Papyrus has dwarf and full-sized varieties and is a marshy plant that should be potted for control. Planted directly in the ground, this plant can become aggressive. It’s worth it though, for the wonderful texture and color it brings.
Pickerel plant
The Pickerel Plant is a native aquatic perennial known for its spikes of purple-blue flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It thrives in sun and shallow water along lake edges, where it helps attract pollinators while providing shelter for fish and frogs. Hardy to zone 3, it is easy to grow and adds vibrant color to the water garden. Photo by aquascapeinc.com.
Sweet Flag
Sweet Flag is an ornamental grass that is perfect for the pond. Growing to three feet, it prefers to be planted just under the water at the edge of the lake. Sun loving and hardy to zone 3.
Ponytail rod
Horsetail Reed brings a bold, architectural look to ponds with its tall, upright green stems. This hardy border plant grows best in sun to partial shade and can tolerate a range of water depths along the edge of the pond. Hardy to zone 4, it spreads steadily and is often used to add height and texture to waterscapes. Photo by aquascapeinc.com.
Water lily
There are more varieties of water lilies than can be covered in one post! They are generally hardy to zone 4 and prefer full sun, but there are varieties that can handle more shade. BHG has a great tutorial how to make water lilysmall. They like the pot set 6-18 inches deep pond. Pro tip: Hardy water lilies are easier to grow than tropical varieties.
Lotus
The persimmon is the most exotic of our pond plants, but it’s not as difficult to grow as its beauty suggests! They need at least 6 hours of sun a day and prefer their roots to be no more than 10 inches under water. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. Lotus is hardy to zone 5 and can be quite fragrant.
Poppy water
Water Poppy is a floating aquatic plant prized for its cheerful yellow flowers and glossy green leaves. It grows quickly in warm weather, providing shade that helps reduce algae growth and keeps fish comfortable. Best grown in full sun, Water Poppy is usually treated as an annual in colder climates, but can overwinter in warmer areas. Photo by wetplants.com.
Creepy Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a versatile ground cover that spreads beautifully over rocks, stream edges and pond borders. Its glossy foliage creates a striking contrast to the water and stone, and the small yellow flowers appear in summer. Hardy to zone 3, it grows well in full sun to partial shade and thrives in consistently moist soil. Photo by aquascapeinc.com.
How to Choose the Right Koi Pond Plants
The best selection of pond plants includes a mix of floating, marginal and marsh plants to create a balanced ecosystem and a natural look. Consider your pond size, depth and sun exposure, as different plants have different growth requirements. Remember, water lilies and floating plants provide shade, while edging plants add height, texture and habitat along the edges.
Aim to cover about half the surface of the pond with plants to help control algae, improve water quality and provide shelter for fish and other wildlife. A variety of plant types will keep your pond healthy and elegant throughout the season. You can find more great tips on choosing water plants for ponds in this guide.
Keep your pond healthy with oxygenating pond plants!
Most nurseries have water garden departments and can guide you more specifically to plants for your situation. Learn how to grow pond plants and let us know your experiences in the comments! We think you will also love our posts on DIY Backyard Pond Ideas and Easy DIY Container Water Gardens.
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