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Native Pond Plants


The ponds surface should be 50% free of pond plants such as water lilies, so there is some light for submerged plants. Water lilies are grown in pots that are placed on the ponds base, and the leaves and flowers float. Submerged plants grow totally underwater. These are great for creating oxygen in the pond.

Here are 29 British native aquatic pond plants, that will help turn your new pond into a mini wildlife haven.

1. Water lily (Nymphaea alba) - This iconic pond plant has large, round leaves and fragrant white or pink flowers that float on the water's surface. It grows in full sun to partial shade and benefits aquatic insects and waterfowl. 

2. Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) - This colourful plant blooms in early spring with bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers. It prefers wet soil and partial shade and provides food and habitat for insects and birds. 

3. Water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) - This low-growing plant has clusters of small blue flowers that bloom from spring to autumn. It grows in shallow water and attracts bees and butterflies. 

4. Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) - This carnivorous plant has intricate yellow flowers and traps small aquatic animals in its bladder-like traps. It grows in full sun and benefits from a nutrient-rich environment. 

5. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) - This tall, showy plant has spikes of purple flowers in mid-summer and grows in wet soil or shallow water. It provides nectar for bees and butterflies. 

6. Water mint (Mentha aquatica) - This fragrant herb has spikes of pink or lilac flowers in late summer and grows in shallow water or damp soil. It attracts bees and butterflies and can be used in teas or cooking. 

7. Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) - This plant has arrow-shaped leaves and spikes of white flowers in late summer. It grows in shallow water and provides food for waterfowl and insects. 

8. Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) - This unique plant has sword-like leaves that float on the water's surface and produces small, white flowers in summer. It can grow in full sun to partial shade and provides habitat for fish and insects. 

9. Lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) - This plant has delicate, yellow flowers and grows in shallow water or moist soil. It provides nectar for insects and is also a food source for grazing animals. 

10. Fringed Water-lily (Nymphoides peltata) - This plant has a heart-shaped leaves and produces yellow flowers in summer. It grows in shallow water and provides habitat for waterfowl and insects. 

11. Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) - This tall, striking plant has yellow flowers in early summer and grows in wet soil or shallow water. It provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and amphibians. 

12. Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) - This fragrant plant has white, star-shaped flowers that bloom in spring and autumn. It grows in shallow water and provides cover for fish and insects. 

13. Bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata) - This unique plant has leaves that resemble clovers and produces white, pink, or red flowers in early summer. It grows in wet soil or shallow water and provides nectar for bees and butterflies. 

14. Water fern (Azolla caroliniana) - This small floating plant has tiny green leaves and provides cover for fish and insects. It also absorbs excess nutrients from the water, helping to prevent algae blooms. 

15. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) - This edible plant has clusters of white flowers and peppery leaves that grow in shallow water or damp soil. It provides food for wildlife and can be used in salads or cooking. 

16. Water violet (Hottonia palustris) - This delicate plant has purple or white, star-shaped flowers and grows in shallow water. It provides habitat for waterfowl and insects. 

17. Spiked water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) - This plant has slender, feathery leaves and produces spikes of small white or pink flowers in summer. It grows in full sun and provides cover and breeding sites for fish and invertebrates. 

18. Water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - This plant has jointed, hollow stems and produces cone-shaped spores in spring. It grows in shallow water or moist soil and provides cover for fish and insects. 

19. Bog myrtle (Myrica gale) - This shrub has fragrant leaves and produces small yellow flowers in spring. It grows in damp soil or shallow water and provides habitat for insects and birds. 

20. Broad-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton natans) - This plant has oval leaves and produces inconspicuous flowers. It grows in shallow water and provides food and habitat for invertebrates and fish. 

21. Water lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna) - This plant has slender leaves and produces spikes of purple flowers in summer. It grows in shallow water and provides habitat for fish and invertebrates. 

22. Water starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) - This small plant has tiny leaves and produces inconspicuous flowers. It grows in shallow water and provides food for invertebrates and fish. 

23. Water purslane (Ludwigia palustris) - This plant has oval leaves and produces spikes of yellow flowers in summer. It grows in shallow water and provides food and habitat for invertebrates and fish. 

24. Water crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) - This plant has finely divided leaves and produces small white or pink flowers in summer. It grows in shallow water and provides habitat for invertebrates and fish. 

25. Sweetflag (Acorus calamus) - This aromatic plant has sword-shaped leaves and produces inconspicuous flowers. It grows in shallow water or wet soil and provides habitat for invertebrates and fish. 

26. River water-crowfoot (Ranunculus fluitans) - This plant has feathery leaves and produces small white flowers in summer. It grows in shallow water and provides food and habitat for invertebrates and fish. 

27. Mare's tail (Hippuris vulgaris) - This plant has long, narrow leaves and produces inconspicuous flowers. It grows in shallow water and provides food and habitat for invertebrates and fish. 

28. Water primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora) - This plant has oval leaves and produces large yellow flowers in summer. It grows in shallow water and provides habitat for invertebrates and fish. 

29. Water fern (Salvinia natans) - This floating plant has small fronds and provides cover for fish and insects. It also absorbs excess nutrients from the water, helping to keep it clean and healthy. 


It is possible to add a bog garden / mini wetland next to your pond, this is achieved by adding soil onto pond lining or old plastic compost bags etc. This will prevent the water draining away, making the soil boggy, and ideal for pond edging plants.