Best pond plants

More advice on making and planting a pond:

• Tips for a shady pond
• How to repot pond plants in spring
• Tips for summer pond maintenance
• Ways to improve your pond
• Plants for bog gardens

Pond plants: jump links

• Marginal pond plants
• Oxygenating pond plants
• Small pond and container pond plants
• Wildlife pond plants

Browse our list of the best pond plants:

Pond plants: Marginal plants

Marginals grow in shallow water or damp soil at the edges of ponds. They're as important as oxygenating plants for healthy pond life. Native flowering marginals are good for attracting flying insects, while their foliage will give aquatic wildlife shelter as well as habitat for laying eggs.

While they're essential to help disguise the edges of ponds, marginals are also important when it comes to thinking about the design of your planting scheme. Look at your pond in the same way as a border and consider how plants will work together – for example as part of a colour scheme, or for textural contrasts. And it’s not just wildlife ponds that benefit from marginals – they're important for adding height and contrast in formal ponds too.

In this clip from Gardeners' World, Monty Don guides you through the process of planting a marginal plant, lesser spearwort (Ranunuculus flammula). He explains why it's important to use an aquatic basket and aquatic compost, then shows you how to plant it for the best, most natural results:

Check out our pick of the best marginal plants for ponds:

Butomus umbellatus

An elegant marginal plant, Butomus umbellatus bears attractive flowers up to 3cm across, which attract hoverflies and butterflies. The pink flowers are gathered in an umbel on tall stems, above twisted, grassy foliage. Give this flowering rush plenty of room and divide clumps regularly, as it will not flower well if congested.

• Buy Butomus umbellatus from Primrose

Caltha palustris

An attractive pond plant, Caltha palustris has bold glossy leaves, and yellow, buttercup-like flowers on tall stems in late spring and early summer that draw in pollinating insects. This marsh marigold grows naturally alongside streams and in shallow water around ponds, ditches and wet woodlands, and is a good plant for a shady pond. It’s a strong clump-forming plant, so best planted in baskets in shallow water at the edge of a pond, and divided every couple of years.

• Buy Caltha palustris from Gardening Express

Carex elata 'Aurea'

Carex elata 'Aurea' is a vigorous, long-lasting sedge, that's ideal for growing in the boggy ground around the edge of a pond, where its vivid yellow-green foliage will soften the edges and be reflected in the water. It can also be grown as a marginal plant and is a popular choice for borders with heavy soil. Allow to reach its required size and divide when necessary. Grows best in shade, but will tolerate sun.

• Buy Carex elata aurea from Gardening Express

Cyperus papyrus

The Egyptian paper rush is a tender marginal plant, so plant in a pot, resting in water, ready to move to a sheltered spot over the winter months. It’s worth the effort if you want to add exotic architectural foliage to your pond. The tall, bright green, upright stems are crowned with tufted umbels, so it'll stand out among other more natural plants.

• Buy Cyperus papyrus from Primrose

Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’

An unusual-looking plant, the chameleon plant is one that people either love or think is a bit strange. It’s low-growing and gives good cover around a pond’s edge, with fetching red, green and cream variegated leaves, and small white flowers. It will grow in shade.

• Buy chameleon plant from Thompson & Morgan

Iris pseudacorus

Yellow flag iris is a fantastic choice for a large, sunny pond. The sword-shaped leaves are distinctive and the bright yellow flowers are typically elegant iris blooms, appearing in late-spring. It makes a wonderful display when planted in large drifts or naturalised among other marginals. The rhizomes should be divided every two years, after the plant has flowered.

• Buy Yellow flag iris from Dobies

Lythrum salicaria

Purple loosestrife is a native wildflower that adds height to bog gardens and the margins of ponds. The nectar-rich purple blooms of Lythrum salicaria are a magnet for wildlife, such as bees and butterflies, and bring colour through summer and into autumn. Divide every two years.

• Buy purple loosestrife from Suttons

Orontium aquaticum

Planted in a sunny spot, this marginal aquatic produces really unusual yellow flower spikes in early summer. Golden club provides great vertical interest and is an eye-catching, curious addition to any pond.

• Buy golden club from Primrose

Pontederia cordata

Pickerel weed is one of the best marginals for injecting some colour into pond planting schemes. In late summer, the sword-shaped leaves form a green backdrop for masses of bright purple flowers that attract pollinating insects.

• Buy pickerel weed from Suttons

Pond plants: Oxygenating plants

Oxygenating plants are vital for maintaining a healthy garden pond. They grow mainly underwater, producing oxygen and absorbing impurities, which help keep the pond clear and clean. They also limit the spread of unwanted algaes and duckweed by competing with them for nutrients.

Submerged plants produce oxygen during the day and provide cover for aquatic life, such as newts and frogs. Some oxygenators have dual functionality, being only partly submerged. This boosts oxygen levels in the water, while leaves and stems above the water level offer shade, protection and food for wildlife.

Choose native plants as they'll withstand cold and ice through the winter months. They're also unlikely to upset the balance of natural waterways, should they ‘escape’ your garden pond. It’s a good idea to have a mix of oxygenators if your pond is large enough. Plants can then be thinned out in spring, if necessary.

• Ways to keep your pond water clear

Ceratophyllum dermensum

A common British native, hornwort is a permanently submerged oxygenating plant. It’s best suited to a still water pond in sun or partial shade. The dark green feathery foliage floats in the water, growing loosely. Can be thinned out in summer. Leave the dark coloured stems and only take out the yellow or clear coloured ones.

• Buy hornwort from Primrose

Fontinalis antipyretica

This British native oxygenating plant, water moss, grows deep under the surface of the water. The dark green branched stems and foliage will cope with still ponds or moving water and it will grow in sun or partial shade. It will spread, but can be easily managed by removing clumps by hand.

• Buy water moss from Wetland Plants

Hottonia palustris

This is a dual-pupose plant, functioning as a good oxygenator with pretty flowers above water. The foliage is attractive and feathery, with pink primrose-like flowers appearing above the water in May to June. Water violet needs a minimum water depth of 60cm. Although it can be a little tricky to settle into a new pond at first, it will spread easily once it is happily established.

• Buy water violet from Plants for Ponds

Isolepis cernua

An evergreen annual or short-lived herbaceous perennial. Isolepis cernua grows as a marginal aquatic plant, where it will also help to oxygenate the water, though it can be grown in bog gardens and container ponds, too. Creamy-white flowers dot the grassy foliage in summer. Slender club rush will grow in shade.

• Buy slender club rush from Gardening Express

Myriophyllum spicatum

This British native oxygenating plant, spiked water milfoil, has submerged olive green feathery foliage. Small yellow and red flowers appearing above the water surface between May and August. It suits all sizes of pond, as long as there is a minimum depth of 30cm and a max of 90cm. It’s easy to confuse with other non-native milfoils.

• Buy spiked water milfoil from Waterside Nursery

Potamogeton crispus

This submerged British native oxygenating plant has olive green, slightly seaweed-like foliage. Curled pondweed produces small pinkish flowers above the surface in early summer. It grows equally well in sunny or partially shaded ponds and spreads easily. If it's a new introduction to your pond, leave it to fill up to one third of the pond, then thin out older stems regularly to keep under control.

Ranunculus aquatilis

This is a British native oxygenator that is mostly submerged with some foliage appearing on the surface and white flowers in May. Water crowfoot will draw in the hoverflies, bees and butterflies. It will tolerate most water conditions including streams and rivers. It doesn’t generally require any maintenance.

• Buy water crowfoot from Cherry Lane

Pond plants: small ponds and container ponds

No room for a garden pond? Then why not create a container pond – ideal for a patio, small garden or balcony. By choosing compact or miniature pond plants you can create a beautiful and thriving eco-system in a small pond or container pond.

Place your pond plants in aquatic baskets, to help control their spread. And use a purpose-made grid or some bricks to create shelves in your container pond that you can put marginal plants onto. As container ponds are shallow, they need to be regularly topped up with rainwater.

• How to make a mini pond
• Three ways to make a pond in a pot

Check out our pick of the best container pond plants:

Anemopsis californica

Originally from North America, apache beads is a marginal aquatic plant with large, scented white flowers, often with a flash of pink. The broad green leaves of Anemopsis california turn red in autumn, bringing late season interest. It will grow in shade.

• Buy apache beads from Primrose

Iris versicolor

Blue flag is a beautiful marginal plant with attractive purple flowers from May to June, that are held above erect narrow green foliage. Iris versicolor is popular with pollinators and, like many irises, will grow well in a small pond or container pond. It is hungry though, so will appreciate some feeding with aquatic feed tablets.

• Buy blue flag iris from Gardening Express

Nymphaea 'Walter Pagels'

A dwarf waterlily that's ideal for small ponds and larger container ponds. It will cover some of the water surface. Remove any dying foliage or flowers regularly. Waterlilies are hungry plants, so feed with aquatic feed tabs. For tiny ponds and smaller container ponds, opt for miniature waterlilies, such as Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Rubra’.

• Buy dwarf waterlily 'Pygmaea Rubra' from Primrose

Oenanthe javanica ‘Flamingo’

The delicate leaves, with interesting pink and white margins, bring colour to a pond from spring through to autumn. Oenanthe javanica 'Flamingo' is a marginal plant and is good for shading the surface of the pond. Water dropwort also has small white flowers.

• Buy water dropwort from Waterside Nursery

Potentilla palustris

Marsh cinquefoil is a marginal that helps to cover the pond surface, shading the water and providing cover for wildlife. Potentilla palustris bears unusual, deep red flowers that are loved by bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

• Buy marsh cinquefoil from Wetland Plants

Typha minima

Miniature rushes are perfect for container ponds, and this compact bulrush, or dwarf reed mace, is a great option. Narrow male flower spikes on top of oval female ones add interest in a small space. Grow Typha minima in a basket to stop it from spreading too rapidly.

• Buy dwarf reed mace from Primrose

Pond plants: wildlife ponds

Creating a pond in a garden is one of the best things you can do for wildlife - they provide habitats, breeding grounds, food, water and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife, from invertebrates and amphibians to birds.

Many pond plants attract pollinators when in flower, including bees, hoverflies, wasps, moths and butterflies. Many pond plants have single flowers, which are the most attractive to pollinating insects.

• Creating a wildlife pond
• Attract wildlife to your garden pond
• How to pond dip your garden pond
• Native plants for wildlife ponds

Check our guide to some of the best plants for wildlife ponds:

Mentha aquatica

With globe-shaped, lilac flowers from June to September, this marginal plant is a magnet for bees, butterflies and hoverflies. Water mint is native, but a vigorous grower so best suited to larger ponds. Grow in a basket to help contain it. Will tolerate shade.

• Buy water mint from Dobies

Mimulus guttatus

The yellow funnel-like flowers with small red dots of the common monkey flower provide colour through summer, and are good for attracting pollinators. It’s a marginal plant and although not native to the UK, it will still be popular with insects.

• Buy common monkey flower from Dobies

Myosotis scorpiodes

This British native produces its delicate blue flowers from May to July. Water forget-me-not provides shelter for aquatic larvae such as tadpoles, and newts lay their eggs in the leaves. It also attracts butterflies, hoverflies and bees. It is perennial and will grow over the edges of ponds and container ponds to soften the feature, while providing a good habitat for aquatic wildlife. Plant in sun or part shade, directly into the soil in shallow water, or in a basket with aquatic compost. Divide it every few years.

• Buy water forget-me-not from Suttons

Nymphaea ‘Hermine’

From May to September Nymphaea ‘Hermine’ bears large, star-shaped pure white flowers in contrast with large olive-green leaves. The flowers are good for pollinators and the leaves make a good landing pad for bees and other insects. This waterlily is ideal for medium-sized ponds, grow it in water depths of 30-75cm.

• Buy waterlily 'Hermine' from Bennett's Waterlily Plants

Ranunculus flammula

This sprawling, native marginal plant bears buttercup-like flowers from May to July, which attract bees, hoverflies and butterflies. The leaves of lesser spearwort also provide cover for wildlife in the pond. Ranunculus flammula may cause skin irritation, so be mindful when handling. Works well in a small pond or a container pond.

• Buy lesser spearwort from Primrose

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum

Fool's watercress is a hardy British native that makes an excellent oxygenating plant. It produces foliage both above and below the water surface. In summer, the above-water stems bear small white flowers that are good for attracting bees, hoverflies and butterflies.

• Buy fool's watercress from Primrose

Veronica beccabunga

Brooklime is a pretty British native that bears delicate blue flowers from May to August, which attract pollinating insects. Although the leaves are evergreen, plants will look best if they’re renewed from cuttings every year (cuttings should be taken from new, leggy stems). Newts use the leaves to lay their eggs in spring. Also known as water speedwell.

• Buy brooklime from Suttons