15 Best Water Plants To Clean & Filter Pond Water [2024]

Backyard Pond Water Plants

Backyard Pond Water Plants

Updated on 3/27/2024
Emma DowneyBy Emma Downey
Gardening Expert
Learn More about Emma Downey

In your outdoor or indoor garden, do you have some water plants? No? Perhaps it's time to get one. Water plants are beautiful, intriguing, and very easy to maintain. Water plants may add interest to a pond or water feature while improving air quality. Check out the best water plants for ponds for your garden to learn more!

Plants are essential to the biosphere, which is the area of the world populated by living creatures. Plants represent the actual genesis of complex life as we know it. Plants are present in all ecosystems. Terrestrial plants–those that grow on land–are probably the most numerous and well-known. Plants that live on land can also exist as epiphytes (those that live on trees), lithophytes ( live in or on rocks), and aquatic plants ( live in or on water).

What Exactly Are Water Plants?

Plants that have evolved to thrive in damp conditions are water plants, aquatic plants, or hydrophytes. Water plants, which have specific features that allow them to flourish at the water's surface or buried underwater, are supported by water and wetlands.

It's worth noting that some water plants are very fussy about their water, whether it's saltwater or freshwater.

Typically, pond plants are found in ponds and lakes. There are several types of aquatic plants, including:

Deep floaters float freely in the water without touching the soil, and Floaters swim on the surface.

Pond plants have portions floating on the surface that are rooted.

Water Plants

Water Plants

A lot of indoor and outdoor gardening concepts utilize water plants. The "terrarium" is a small aquarium (often a jar, thus the name) containing several water plants and fish or other aquatic creatures.

Aquaponics is another technique that combines fish tanks with plants to produce a self-sustaining ecosystem where both plants and animals may grow by utilizing each other's waste. You may even create a permanent pond in your garden and populate it with aquatic plants. Several pond plants have varieties: marginals, deep, oxygenating, and floating water. Combining these two elements will ensure your pond's health.

Why Should You Have Water Plants In Your Home?

Water plant beauty is one of the most evident advantages of having water plants within your house. Whether you desire a container water garden like a "terrarium" or a more permanent indoor pond construction, there are various methods for bringing these creatures indoors.

No matter where you place water plants, they will enhance your room. The sight of vegetation is more than pleasant, but the addition of water enhances the beauty of the landscape. In addition, to water plants' aesthetic value, water plants are fantastic if your aquarium contains fish and other aquatic plants. Water plants may filter away fish waste, recreate natural habitats, and contribute to aquarium aeration. These aquatic plants provide a haven for these fishes to dwell and deposit eggs. Water plants shield the fish, allowing them to hide in the roots and characteristics of water plants. Your aquatic creatures will love the presence of a few plants.

The Best Water Plants For Your Home Garden

The Best Water Plants For Your Home Garden

The Best Water Plants For Your Home Garden

When selecting water plants for your ponds, keep the size of the plants and the quantity of light they require in mind. Mainly applicable to indoor water gardens. To help you out, we've collected a list of the best water plants available to establish your water garden in no time. You will like to see some indoor water garden with fish in your home.

Indoor Plants that Need Moisture

Choosing the proper water plant for your indoor garden might be challenging, and several alternatives available can accommodate virtually any style. We have compiled a list of the most popular water plants for your convenienceștii. Read on to get substantial knowledge!

Calla Flower (Zantedeschia Aethiopica And Hybrids)

Contrary to their name, calla lilies are not, in fact, lilies. These plants' foliage, flowers, and low maintenance make them well known among gardeners.

White Callas

The semi-aquatic varieties require drainage, whereas hybrid varieties are semi-aquatic. Submerging the former is unnecessary. I recommend that white Callas touch the surface of the water.

Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium Laeviatum)

The Amazon frogbit is a famous pond and aquarium floating plant.

They are simple to maintain, but if left uncontrolled, they may rapidly cover the whole surface of the water, so you will need to thin them.

Young plants have flat leaves, but older plants protrude above the water. Keep the plant's crown dry, or plants may decay.

Parrot's Feather (Myriophyllum Aquaticum)

The parrot's feather plant grows submerged and can extend up to one foot above the water's surface. Their lovely, feathery foliage makes them an excellent complement to your water display. However, Parrot's Feather water plants are considered invasive due to their rapid growth and ability to colonize their habitat quickly.

Necessary: You must periodically inspect them in your ponds to prevent them from smothering your other plants.

Mosquito Fern (Azolla)

Azolla, which resembles duckweed, is a very prolific plant that may cover vast bodies of water in a matter of days with its small, water-repellent leaves. Azolla is a popular name, Mosquito fern, to prevent mosquitoes from depositing their eggs. Azolla is sometimes used as fish food, and we recommend placing these plants in ponds or aquariums only if you have fish, as it might slow their growth.

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Hornworts are great oxygenating water plants; many fish like having them in their ponds and aquariums. Hornwort is a rootless plant with thin leaves that acts as a breeding site for koi fish, and goldfish also like eating these leaves.

It's also worth noting that these plants are known to generate compounds that hinder pond algae development, making them an excellent addition to any pond.

Duckweed (Lemnoideae)

Duckweed is a tiny floating water plant used as animal feed and is one of the world's most miniature aquatic plants. Cattle, swine, chickens, ducks, bunnies, goats, and fish consume these tiny water plants. Duckweed can regulate nitrogen levels and algae in the water. The Wolffia globose, often known as Asian watermeal, has the most miniature blossom of any plant.

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes)

Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinths are lovely water plants that develop quickly once established. Water hyacinths plant has a long history of choking off the water in various nations, including the United States, New Zealand, and Europe. Each plant may carry up to 20 blossoms, ideal for your indoor garden. You'll have to be cautious to keep them under control, but you'll receive a lovely, easy-to-grow plant in exchange.

Backyard Pond Water Plants

Outdoor Backyard Pond water plants may offer a magical touch to any landscape. Depending on your climate and personal tastes, some may appeal to you more than others. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor water plants.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia Nummularia)

Creeping Jenny plants are well-known as ground coverings and were sometimes employed in herbalism to cure wounds. Creeping Jenny looks lovely, growing in between the rocks on the margins of outdoor ponds. Advancing Jenny blooms with cup-shaped blooms throughout the summer, offering a splash of color to your pond. Creeping Jenny water plants are invasive, so you'll have to chop them down if they expand outside their natural habitat.

Rough Horsetail (Equisetum Hyemale)

You can use rough horsetail to give your outdoor ponds a vertical presence. The dwarf varieties of these aquatic plants only grow to eight inches tall. You can restrict their growth by planting them before submerging them in water since they develop quickly.

Caution: Despite their name, these plants are poisonous to horses and cattle.

Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera)

The water lotus is an unusual and attractive plant that will become the focal point of your ponds. Lotus blossoms may reach one foot and come in a range of hues. Water lotuses thrive in intense light and, if not confined, can soon take over a pond.

Please keep it in a container before plunging it 6 to 10 inches beneath the water's surface. Ensure you have sufficient area for this large plant to flourish.

Umbrella Palm (Cyperus Alternifolius)

The umbrella palm is renowned for its height, reaching six feet. Umbrella Palm provides a gentle background for shorter aquatic plants. It grows and spreads quite rapidly. Therefore Umbrella Palm is typically better to control it. Umbrella Palm is customary to grow this palm in a plastic container. The plant obtains most Umbrella Palm nutrients from the pond water; nevertheless, soil can aid in establishing the palm.

You may safely trim the rootball since it will regrow quickly.

Water Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpioides)

In dense mats of leaves, the water forget-me-not produces lovely blue or pink flowers. Water Forget-Me-Not plants grow best near flowing water, such as waterfalls, between rocks where stem cuttings can be quickly put. You may also plant Water Forget-Me-Not along the pond's border since they thrive in shallow water.

The plant may reach a maximum height of 28 inches and can be trained by pinching.

Cattail (Typha)

Cattail is another tall plant you may add to your outdoor pond. With Cattail's imposing height and protruding edges, the Cattail water plant is ideal for incorporating an architectural element into outdoor ponds. You may confine the plants on this list to a container due to their rapid growth and reproduction.

The native types may attain up to six feet, while the dwarf ones are limited to two to three feet.

Mosaic Flower (Ludwigia Sedoides)

The mosaic flower is a floating plant whose diamond-shaped leaves resemble a mosaic, thus its name. Mosaic Flower produces rosettes of reddish-green leaves between 3 and 6 inches in diameter, which can provide texture to the surface of your pond. Mosaic Flower aquatic plants are ideal for shading fish-filled ponds and thrive in warm waters with long daylight hours. During the middle of summer, golden flowers blossom.

Water Lily (Nymphaea)

The water lily and water lotus have remarkable resemblance. The water lily's leaves float like lily pads, but the lotus's leaves are much above the surface and do not contact it. The water lily has enchanted us for eons, and happily, Water Lily water plants are resilient, making them ideal for novices. There are additional day and night-blooming types available.

Beautiful, intriguing, and very easy to maintain are all attributes of water plants. Adding water plants to a pond or water feature is one way to improve air quality while also adding visual appeal. For further information, look at some of the best water plants for ponds.

Best Pond Plants To Reduce Algae and Clear Green Water

Can pond water be used to water plants?

Yes, pond water can be used for plants. if there are fish in the pond their waste can have nitrogen and micronutrients the plants need. Unlike tap water, pond water does not contain high levels of chlorine, which makes it a better choice for plants than rainwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Water Plants Require A Lot Of Care?

Water plants require a little more attention than regular soil plants, but that doesn't make them difficult. You should have no issue keeping these plants alive and healthy as long as you pay attention to your water quality.

Is it true that pond plants help to keep the water clear?

Because pond plants absorb nutrients and carbon dioxide in the water (or above it if partially submerged), algae cannot access them, so they cannot grow as fast and take over your pond. It keeps the water clean and clear by reducing algae in your pond.

What plant cleans the water?

According to scientists, proteins from Moringa oleifera, an Indian tree, can be used to purify water in developing nations for a low price.

What is the best time to buy pond plants?

Purchase new plants during mid-spring through early summer. Plants should establish well at this time since the water is warming up.

What are the best plants for my pond?

Winter temperatures can be brutal on native plants, so choose ones that can withstand the cold. Moreover, should they escape your garden pond, they are unlikely to disturb natural waterways. Your pond should have a mix of oxygenators if it is large enough. Spring is the best time to thin out plants if needed.