The 20 best pond plants for every water depth

A pond is a great eye-catcher - but only with the right plants does it become a real eye-catcher. We show which plants are best.

Whether it's a small water feature or a large swimming pond - especially in summer, a garden pond is the focus of every garden and attracts everyone's attention. However, so that the cool water does not look out of place, beautiful pond planting is essential, because only this makes the pond a real gem. But just like in the rest of the garden is also with Pond plants the right location is important, after all, the demands on the sun and the correct water depth must be observed when placing your plants. We'll tell you here which pond plants you shouldn't miss and for what depths they are suitable.

5 pond plants for the wet zone

The wet zone is the outermost area of ​​any pond and is therefore often forgotten when pond plants are mentioned, as it is not visible and is under water. Nevertheless, planting this zone with permanently moist soil is important to make your pond an eye-catcher. The wet zone extends from the water level to the so-called capillary barrier, i.e. the point up to which the pond liner was pulled up.

1. Hanging sedge

Extremely decorative and at the same time wonderfully uncomplicated - these two properties ensure that the hanging sedge (Carex pendula) is considered the perfect pond plant. The sturdy perennial grows up to 1.50 meters high and attracts everyone's attention with its overhanging growth and dainty flower spikes. In addition, the hanging sedge is evergreen, so that it also sets attractive accents in winter.

2. Floor primrose

With its enchanting inflorescences that look as if they were distributed on floors, the floor primrose (Primula bulleyana) an attractive eye-catcher. Its noble flowers and its high growth of up to 70 centimeters in particular ensure that the plant attracts everyone's attention during its flowering period from June to July. Unfortunately, the tiered primrose is often not particularly long-lived. But don't worry - the plant will reliably sow itself again.

3. Three-masted flower

The three-masted garden flower is actually (Tradescantia x andersoniana) better known as a garden plant - but you can also plant it wonderfully in the wet zone of a pond. The Three-masted flower Ideally suited: With its eye-catching, wheel-shaped flowers and bristly growth, the plant attracts everyone's attention.

4. Purple loosestrife

In any case, the provides color in the bed Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) with its pink, red or even dark purple inflorescences. As a native wild perennial from marshland, the attractive plant is not only perfectly adapted to life in the wet zone, but is also considered extreme butterfly friendly and also impresses with its extensive water purification ability. Due to its height of up to 80 centimeters, the plant is more suitable as a background plant - otherwise it will quickly steal the appearance of everyone else.

5. Checkerboard flower

Hardly any other plant has such extraordinary flowers as this Checkerboard flower (Fritillaria meleagris) - the round bell flowers with the unique pattern in strong purple are a real eye-catcher. But the flowers are not only an attractive ornament, they also offer beneficial organisms such as Bumblebees and Bees a richly laid table. The flower likes it particularly well in the wet zone or on the outer edge of the swamp zone, so that with a little luck the plant will even spread by itself.

5 pond plants for the swamp zone

The part of the pond that adjoins the humid zone and slowly leads towards the middle of the pond is called the swamp zone. A fluctuating water level is characteristic of this zone, so that not all plants are suitable for this area. It is generally assumed that the water depth in the swamp zone is 0 to 10 centimeters.

1. Marsh marigold

A real classic in the swamp zone is the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris): With its multitude of small yellow flowers and shiny leaves, the plant is a must for every garden pond. The marsh marigold is particularly indispensable in ponds that are more in the shade, because it develops its full beauty even in rather dark places. The marsh marigold also has a water-purifying effect.

2. Frog spoon

The frog spoon (Alisma plantago-aquatica) is probably one of the most interesting plants in the swamp zone and is much more attractive than the name suggests. In particular, the contrast between the spoon-like leaves and the extremely filigree flowers make the plant so enchanting. The frog spoon is also considered a particularly good water purifier, because it absorbs superfluous nutrients from the water and thus ensures consistently good water quality.

3. Swamp iris

The swamp iris (Iris versicolor) is particularly known at the pond as an extravagant beauty: its magnificent blue-violet flowers with the filigree drawings are real eye candy and enchant yours in June and July Viewer. In addition to its beauty, the swamp iris also impresses with its tough nature - the herbaceous plant is considered frost-resistant and is perennial.

4. Water mint

Anyone who thinks that pond plants are beautiful, but not useful, is not yet the water mint (Mentha aquatica): With its fresh, typically minty smell, the plant not only pampers the nose, but also attracts all kinds of beneficial insects. People especially like water mint as a tea, as it is a bit milder than its sister peppermint (Mentha x piperita), is. But the water mint can also score visually, because with its numerous spherical inflorescences it is a real eye-catcher.

5. Marsh calla

In the wild, the swamp calla (Calla palustris) has unfortunately become rare in the meantime. It is all the better that more and more pond owners are discovering the attractive marsh plant for themselves. The impressive plant attracts everyone's attention thanks to its distinctive bract, which is colored white on the inside. But the red, berry-like fruits that develop from the inconspicuous flowers are also a great decoration. The beautiful plant should only be consumed with caution in households with small children: All parts of the plant are slightly poisonous.

5 pond plants for the shallow water zone

Plants in the shallow water zone are characterized by their particular robustness and hardness. No wonder, after all, this zone represents the transition from the swamp zone to the deep water and has an average water level of 10 to 40 centimeters.

1. Cattail

The broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) is probably one of the most famous river bank dwellers and is a real beauty with its velvety inflorescences. But with a size of over two meters and an extremely high nutrient requirement, it is hardly suitable for smaller ponds. Here you should rather use the dwarf flask (Typha minima): The little brother of the cattail is only about 60 centimeters high, but it also forms the popular piston and is therefore an attractive replacement. In terms of its water purification function, the cattail is not inferior to the larger plants and has proven to be a real insider tip in the fight against algae.

2. Needle ledges

Admittedly, with its long, pointed stalks, the needle ledges (Eleocharis acicularis) looks rather inconspicuous at first glance. But on closer inspection, the plant definitely has its visual appeal. The needle ledge scores with an interesting play of colors, which ranges from a light green at the tips to a purple at the base of the leaves. In addition to its appearance, the needle ledge also has two other great advantages: On the one hand, it is ideal for It is also an excellent water purifier, making life difficult for algae in particular power.

3. Hedgehog flask

Extravagant flowers and a clumpy growth - the hedgehog's cob (Sparganium erectum) quickly turns into an absolute eye-catcher in the garden. Especially its flower balls, which look like greenish-white morning stars, make the pond plant particularly attractive. But also its fruits, which look like curled up hedgehogs and which gave the plant its name make her one of the most interesting water dwellers and a must-see for everyone Garden pond.

4. Swan flower

When the swan flower (Butomus umbellatus) presents its flowers from June to August, you know exactly where its name comes from: Elegant and As lovely as a swan, the filigree inflorescences sit on the plant and enchant yours Viewer. Its honey-sweet scent and its attraction to insects also make the plant so popular. With a height of up to 120 centimeters, the swan flower is the undisputed eye-catcher in the garden pond.

5. Pike herb

It doesn't always have to be flowers - but if a decorative foliage plant also comes with decorative flowers, it's all the better. The pike herb (Pontederia cordata) can score with precisely this property: Even its heart-shaped leaves are extremely decorative, but they are when he shows his ears from June, which are covered with lots of small, blue flowers, he shows all of his Splendor.

5 pond plants for the deep water zone

The deep water zone is the heart of every pond and has a water depth of at least 40 centimeters. Floating plants in particular are welcome here, which is why this zone is also known as the floating leaf zone. But other plants also feel good in this area.

1. Water salad

Salad on the water? In fact, the name of the water salad fits (Pistia stratiotes) like a fist on the eye - the floating plant with its light green, shell-like leaves actually looks like a head of lettuce. But in addition to its attractiveness as a leaf ornament, the water lettuce also impresses with its useful effect. The plant is perfect for algae prophylaxis and also serves as an indicator of the biological balance in the pond. Only the German winter does not like the exotic plant, because unfortunately it is not frost-resistant.

2. Floating fern

The floating fern (Salvinia natans) is probably one of the easiest to care for and most robust plants that can be cultivated in your pond. The uncomplicated water dweller feels at home from a depth of 10 centimeters down to the deep water zone and needs almost no maintenance. With its elliptical leaves, which have small bristles on the top and therefore have an interesting lotus effect, the plant is also not to be despised visually.

3. Sea can

Bright yellow flowers with fascinating fringes are the trademark of the Seekanne (Nymphoides peltata). The local aquatic plant is a real insider tip when it comes to great flower arrangements in the deep water zone. But it's not just its appearance that makes the plant a perfect addition to any pond: thanks to its hydropot the plant reliably filters the pond water and its lush foliage ensures balanced Water temperatures.

4. Fir fronds

If you are looking for a striking contrast to the common pond plants, the fir frond (Hippuris vulgaris) Find it: With its needle-like leaves and reddish-brown flowers, the plant is reminiscent of the miniature version of mighty conifers that rise out of a Scandinavian lake. The fact that the leaves of the fir frond stay green even in winter reinforces this impression even more. Its water-purifying effect is also what makes the plant so popular - it prevents excessive algae growth, especially in ponds with fish.

5. water lily

It is the classic among pond plants - the water lily (Nymphaea) is a real beauty and an absolute must for every pond. The floating plants with their large, eye-catching flowers are a real feast for the eyes and enchant with their lovely charm. However, gardeners particularly enjoy the enormous diversity of the plant genus: From small dwarf water lilies (Nymphaea pygmaea), which only need a water depth of 10 to 30 centimeters, to the giant water lily (Victoria), which thrives exclusively in tropical areas and can develop a leaf diameter of up to three meters, there is something for almost every pond.

What you at Buying and caring for the various pond plants we will tell you here.