Aquatic Plants for small wildlife Ponds
For habitat-led projects with planting and biodiversity in mind, see our wildlife pond design service.
Wildlife ponds are a rapidly-growing hobby and provides a whole new opportunity for an exciting group of
plants for your garden . Not to mention.
Plants are what makes your wildlife pond. They add interest, texture, and a splash of colour to the spot
you choose for your pond. They also help keep the water clear of algae, while providing perching spots for
birds that seek out the water.
Here is our list of favourite aquatic plants for wildlife ponds. — you can add any of these plants to any
pond, large or small!
1. Dwarf Papyrus (Cyperus isocladus)
Feathery heads on sturdy green stalks create a striking vertical element in container water gardens. Dwarf papyrus enjoys a little shade but can take full sun, too. Use this charmer as an annual in colder climates.
2. Parrots Feather, Red-stemmed (Myriophyllum brasiliense)
Feathery lime green foliage on vibrant red stems creates a mat that will spill over the edge of your pond. It grows 3” to 4” tall and is a great choice for both small ponds and container water gardens. Place it in full sun to part shade.
3. Sweetflag, Dwarf Variegated (Acorus gramineus variegatus)
Tufts of green and white make this flexible plant an attractive choice for ponds. It can tolerate a range of water depths, grows to 12 inches tall, and is a great choice for the margins of in-ground ponds, too. Sweetflag prefers full sun to part shade.
4. Pickerel Plant (Pontederia cordata)
Add a bit of height and colour to your wildlife pond with the impressive pink or purple pickerel plant. This easy-to-grow aquatic plant rewards you with bright blue flowers atop lush green foliage. Prefers full sun to part shade and grows 24” to 30” tall.
5. Taro, Red-stemmed (Colocasia ‘Fontenessii’)
Glossy green leaves on deep purple stems add a stunning effect to your wildlife pond . Each leaf is a work of art atop 36” high stems. Choose Taro when you want an especially tall plant for your container. Enjoys full sun but can handle a bit of shade.
6. Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)
A smaller plant that blooms all summer? Look no further than this dainty white flower with a cone-shaped centre As they age, the flowers get pink spots. Prefers partial shade.
7. Cardinal Flower (Lobelis cardinalis)
Scarlet red flowers on this tall growing plant provide a splash of vibrant colour next to mostly green aquatic plants. Hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies love the sweet nectar. Place this 2’ to 3’ flower in a sunny location.
8. Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Soft and velvety, this floating plant performs best in shady to partly sunny locations. Each “flower” sends out shoots to create more rosettes. If your pond gets crowded, simply thin them out.
9. Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
Indispensable to any water feature, or pond this plant cleans the water while rewarding you with pretty lavender flowers that grow to a height of six inches. Water hyacinth tends to spread quickly but can be easily thinned out. Prefers full sun to partial shade.
10. Helvola Waterlily (Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’)
Helvola is the smallest of all the hardy waterlilies with delightful 2” to 3” star-shaped blooms and heavily mottled 1” to 2” pads. Prefers full sun to partial shade and blooms all summer long.
