A garden with water looks better, and many plants will do well in a pond, whether they are fully submerged, float on the water’s surface, or grow on the edge of the pond as “marginal” plants. Discover our pick of the best plants for garden ponds, with advice on how to grow them.
No matter how big or small your garden pond is, you can grow plants that live in water. In addition to looking attractive, pond plants can provide useful surface cover and shelter for aquatic wildlife. Oxygenating plants can also help to keep the water clear.
Aquatic compost topped with grit is a good way to grow plants in a pond. Pick plants that will do well in the space you have. The required planting depth varies from species to species, with some plants needing just 2. 5cm of water above their crown, and others needing 30cm or more.
Having oxygenating plants in your pond provides many benefits beyond just adding oxygen. These plants help create a balanced ecosystem, improve water quality, and enhance the beauty of your pond. Choosing the right oxygenating plants can seem overwhelming with so many options, but this guide will walk you through the top choices
Why Oxygenating Pond Plants Matter
All living creatures in a pond require oxygen to survive. Fish and beneficial bacteria rely on dissolving oxygen from plants and surface agitation to breathe. Without enough oxygenation, pond life will become stressed and can die off.
Oxygenating plants release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis during daylight hours. This helps keep oxygen levels stable even at night when plants switch to consuming oxygen.
In addition to oxygenation these plants
- Filter pollutants and absorb excess nutrients to deter algae growth
- Provide shelter and spawning sites for fish
- Add visual interest and beauty with their shapes and textures
Most Effective Oxygenating Plants
Eelgrass
This durable, wavy grass plant is a great first choice for any pond. Eelgrass handles deep water well, spreading like an underwater meadow. It can grow up to 5 feet tall! Eelgrass is very hardy, making it ideal for ponds with large fish.
Fanwort
The small, delicate leaves of fanwort offer ample surface area for releasing oxygen into the water. Fanwort provides excellent habitat for small fish to hide and feed among its dense foliage. It thrives in 3-10 feet of water with a muddy bottom.
Arrowhead
Also called dwarf sagittaria, arrowhead is a beginner-friendly oxygenator. Its thick, grassy leaves efficiently produce oxygen in shallow waters up to a couple feet deep. Arrowhead tolerates temperature fluctuations from 59-84°F.
Hornwort
Considered one of the toughest pond plants, hornwort grows up to 2 feet tall with abundant horn-shaped leaves that generate substantial oxygen. It grows anchored or free-floating. Hornwort withstands cold winters and fluctuating conditions, making it ideal for most ponds.
Red Ludwigia
The vivid red leaves of this pond plant provide a pop of color while releasing oxygen. Red ludwigia grows low and spreads across the bottom, creating a lush living carpet in 6-20 inches of water. It adapts well to various conditions.
Water Lettuce
This floating plant is named for its round leaves that resemble mini lettuce heads. Water lettuce forms a dense mat on the pond surface that shades and cools the water while oxygenating. It helps prevent algae growth by reducing sunlight penetration.
Oxygenation Plant Care Tips
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Place oxygenators throughout pond depths to maximize oxygenation. Focus on deep areas and shaded spots where circulation is low.
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Research specific conditions like light, water depth, zone, etc. needed for each plant species before purchasing.
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Anchor plants with weights or plant in pots to keep them under water and in place. Some spread aggressively if left free-floating.
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Avoid overcrowding. Leave space between plants and thin overgrown areas to promote water flow and light penetration.
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Prune back or divide plants as needed to control spread. Discard excess responsibly on land where it cannot enter waterways.
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Use an electric aerator along with plants for redundancy. Aerators mix and circulate water to distribute oxygen.
Create a Balanced Ecosystem
For a healthy, low-maintenance pond, incorporate a variety of oxygenating plants along with marginal plants, floaters, and surface coverage. Combining different plant types provides:
- Habitat and food for pond wildlife
- Nutrient absorption to deter algae
- Shade to cool water temperatures
- Shelter from predators and weather
- Spawning and nursery areas for fish
- Visual interest from diverse textures and colors
Take time to plan out zones and choose plants suited to each area. This creates a diverse ecosystem with natural checks and balances. Relying too heavily on oxygenators can lead to reduced nutrients needed by other organisms.
With the right balance of pond plants, including key oxygenators, you’ll boost biodiversity and create clear, refreshing water for all to enjoy. Reach out with any questions about selecting and caring for the best oxygenators for your unique pond environment.
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 at attracting flying insects, and their leaves will provide shelter for aquatic animals and a place for them to lay their eggs.
While marginals are necessary to hide the edges of ponds, they are also important to think about when planning the layout of your garden. Think of your pond as a border and plan how the plants will work together, such as to match a color scheme or add different textures. Not only do marginals help wildlife ponds, but they’re also important for making formal ponds more interesting by adding height and shadow.
In this Gardeners’ World video, Monty Don shows you how to plant lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula), a plant that grows on the edges of other plants. Then he shows you how to plant it in an aquatic basket for the best, most natural results: Green Video Post Element Video ID: “da302a77e2d6c7d8298eb9793da1938ce51d634f” Mix ID: “” Player ID: “qAUyOzk5” If the player doesn’t show up here in a few seconds, the Player ID or License Key (set in IM Green Video settings) might not work.
Check out our pick of the best marginal plants for ponds:
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. This flowering rush will not flower well if it is crowded, so give it a lot of space and break up clumps often.
You can find Caltha palustris in ponds. It has bright, shiny leaves and tall, buttercup-like flowers that attract pollinators in late spring and early summer. This marsh marigold grows naturally next to streams and in shallow water near ponds, ditches, and wet woods. It is a good plant for a pond that gets some shade. It grows in strong clumps, so it works best in baskets in shallow water near the edge of a pond. Every two years, separate the plants.
The Carex elata ‘Aurea’ sedge is strong and lasts a long time. It grows well in wet ground near a pond, where its bright yellow-green leaves will soften the edges and reflect in the water. It can also be grown along the edges of a bed and is often used in borders where the soil is heavy. Allow to reach its required size and divide when necessary. Grows best in shade, but will tolerate sun.
Egyptian paper rush is a delicate border plant, so put it in a pot with water and let it rest there until winter. Then, move it to a protected area. It’s worth the effort if you want to add exotic architectural foliage to your pond. It will stand out from other plants that look more natural because of its tall, bright green, straight stems that are topped with tufted umbels.
An unusual-looking plant, the chameleon plant is one that people either love or think is a bit strange. It grows slowly and covers well around the edge of a pond. Its pretty red, green, and cream-colored leaves and small white flowers make it look nice. It will grow in shade.
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.
Purple loosestrife is a native wildflower that adds height to bog gardens and the margins of ponds. Lythrum salicaria has purple flowers that are full of nectar and attract animals like bees and butterflies. The flowers are colorful all summer and into fall. Divide every two years.
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.
Pickerel weed is one of the best marginals for injecting some colour into pond planting schemes. Late in the summer, the sword-shaped leaves make a green background for lots of bright purple flowers that bugs use to pollinate.
More advice on making and planting a pond:
Here’s our advice for buying the right pond plants for your garden pond, and where to buy online.
- You should have a variety of plants in your pond to keep it healthy and looking nice. These plants should be floating, marginal, and oxygenating.
- Check the plant’s recommended water depth before you put it in the pond. This way you’ll know where to put it and know that the water level is right.
- Pick plants that are right for the size of your pond, since some can grow very quickly and fill up a small one.
- Never plant invasive plants in your pond. Visit the Be Plant Wise website to learn about the plants you should not grow.
Pond Oxygenating Plants Explained
FAQ
What pond plants produce the most oxygen?
What plants keep pond water clean?
How can I naturally oxygenate my pond?
Can you have too many oxygenating plants in a pond?
Where can I buy oxygenating pond plants?
World of Water stocks top-quality oxygenating plants for all sizes of pond, including native British oxygenating pond plants suitable for fish ponds, native or wildlife ponds. Our extensive range of oxygenating pond plants for sale can be found both online and i n-store.
What are the best oxygenating plants for a small pond?
Let’s take a look at 10 of the best oxygenating plants for a small pond and learn more about these natural wonders. Elodea, commonly known in North America as Anacharis, is a fast-growing oxygenating plant popular in aquariums and ponds alike.
What are oxygenating pond plants?
Indicates plants native to the UK. Indicates plants that attract the wildlife. Oxygenating pond plants (oxygenators) are an essential part of any pond ecosystem and perform a number of important functions that help maintain your pond in the best possible condition.