Native plants for a pond

A pond, small or large, looks best when beautiful plants border it. Space your plants where they look prettiest, from right at the pond’s edge to farther away, but not too far apart—don’t forget that their wildlife purpose is to provide cover. Although border plants don’t sit in the water, they’re moisture-loving, so keep them well-watered.

Your pond also needs some plants growing in the water for eye appeal, as well as food, mating, and cover for aquatic wildlife. There are three categories of water plants: marginal, submergent, and floating.

Marginal plants for a pond

Marginal (emergent) plants grow their roots in shallow water, and their shoots go above the water. Plant them along the pond margin, where they’ll offer hiding and mating places and surfaces for eggs and critters to cling to. A good way to keep these plants from overtaking your pond is to plant them in 1- to 5-gallon pots (3.8–10L) in soil topped with gravel. Marginals are also suitable for a bog garden.

Submergent plants for a pond

Submergent plants, also called oxygenators, live entirely underwater. They’re important to aquatic species—fish, tadpoles, and everything else—because they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen like terrestrial plants. As a result, they help keep the water clear and fresh.

Floating plants for a pond

Floating plants don’t anchor into the pond’s soil; they’re happy to float around. They do what oxygenators do, but they aren’t as effective. Their most important role is to provide shade, which reduces the amount of sunlight striking the surface, thereby inhibiting algae growth.

Notes on plant selection

Selecting plants for your pond involves consideration of several factors, including the pond’s size, water depth, amount of sunlight, whether the plants will spend the winter in your basement, and more.

Below are lists of native plants suitable for a pond, sorted by type. The border plants listed are moisture-loving, so keep them well-watered.

Monitor your plants

Aquatic plants need to be monitored. Some plants, in particular. The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health has a list of highly invasive pond plants. You should avoid using them—they’d require diligent oversight, and if they escape to a nearby waterway would be a threat to the environment.

Here’s an excellent site about building a pond of any size, even in a barrel. 

Border plants

Marginal plants

Submergent plants

Floating plants

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