Whether you’ve got a long-established pond or are thinking of adding one to your backyard, there are many types of plants that you can add for aesthetic appeal and to make it a better environment for pond life. In particular, deep-water pond plants are a popular choice, offering a wide range of varieties to choose from.
If you have a deep pond and are looking for underwater pond plants to help fill it, you’re in the right place, as we’ve got many recommendations to help you out!
What are deep-water pond plants?
Deep-water plants grow under the waterline in a pond. They are usually completely submerged but may have flowers or fronds that project out of the water. They provide value to pond owners with deep enough ponds, as they can add shelter to fish, add oxygen, remove nitrates, and provide visual interest. While not essential in a pond, they do add character.
A water lily is a prime example of a deep-water plant. The main plant is submerged in the water while the leaves and flowers sit on top. It adds shade to fish underneath and provides a habitat for insects and other pond life.
Deep-water pond plants also emit oxygen as part of their natural processes, while also ingesting nitrogen from within the water. By using the right deep-water plant in the right places, you can create a harmonious natural balance within a pond.
Our best 12 underwater pond plants
To take advantage of these many benefits and make your pond look all the more impressive, there are many great varieties of underwater pond plants for you to choose from. In particular, the following water plants for fish ponds are the varieties we most recommend:
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Water lilies
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Hornwort
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Brandy bottle
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Floating heart
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Amphibious bistort
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Golden club
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Broad-leaved pondweed
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Sacred water lotus
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Water hawthorn
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Cattail
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Watercress
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Cattail
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Starwort
Water lilies (Nymphaeaceae nymphaea)
Water lilies are usually the first deep-water plant that comes to mind when thinking of ponds.
They are immensely popular for good reason. Water lilies are very hardy, can grow in water up to 10 feet deep, provide excellent cover, and look lovely.
Hornwort (Anthocerotopsida)
Hornwort is a fern-like deep-water plant almost as popular as lilies. They are hardy and don’t require substrate to flourish, as they obtain nutrients from the water rather than the soil.
Hornwort is an oxygenator and can cope with shade, making it an ideal plant alongside others to maintain a balanced pond.
Brandy bottle (Nuphar lutea)
Brandy bottles are also useful deep-water plants in larger ponds. This plant grows quickly and may smother smaller ponds, so use it carefully.
It is great for the water and can cope with partial shade. It absorbs lots of nutrients too, which helps maintain water balance.
Floating heart (Nymphoides peltata)
Floating heart, also known as water fringe, looks like a small water lily but is not related.
It has a star-shaped flower in summer and can cope with partial shade. This plant can also cope with shallower depths, so it may be useful for shallow ponds or shelves.
Amphibious bistort (Persicaria amphibia)
Amphibious bistort is an attractive deep-water plant that can cope with up to 8 feet of water.
It has a pretty purple flower and simple leaves that protrude above the water, which are nice to look at in summer. The flower is a beacon for insects, so could be ideal for building an ecosystem.
Golden club (Orontium aquaticum)
Golden club is a set-and-forget pond plant. It’s incredibly low maintenance and delights with intriguing yellow flowers in summer.
It comes with shallower waters and partial shade, which limits its own spread, making it a low-maintenance option.
Broad-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton natans)
Broad-leaved pondweed is useful in ponds, despite the name. It’s a broadleaf plant that roots at the base of the pond and grows shoots to the surface, where it produces leaves.
Those leaves provide excellent shade and oxygen for the plant while also providing landing spots for insects.
Sacred water lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
Sacred water lotus is an attractive, deep-water plant for ponds with a lovely, fragrant flower.
It grows well at various depths but needs a substrate to root. Depending on where you live, sacred water lotus is regarded as an invasive species, so check before you buy!
Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos)
Water hawthorn is an excellent deep-water plant and is almost as popular as the water lily.
It’s hardy, can cope with varying depths of water, and can flower all year round within temperature extremes. Its flowers also smell of vanilla, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular.
Cattail (Typhaceae typha)
Cattail is a deep-water marginal plant that can grow well in deep water. Plant them in pots to minimize spread.
Cattail is an attractive grass that provides a habitat for insects and adds interest to a pond. Choose the species carefully, as some regions regard it as invasive.
Watercress (Nasturtium aquaticum)
Watercress is another attractive deep-water plant with lovely white flowers.
Watercress is great for absorbing nitrates from the water and providing oxygen as a result, which is why they are so popular.
Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)
Starwort is a green plant with star-shaped leaves. It is popular because it is active all year round, providing essential oxygen during fall and winter.
Starwort flowers well and can cope with full sun or partial shade. It also provides cover for fish and a platform for pond life.
Fish products at Closer Pets
We hope these varieties of water plants for fish ponds have taken your interest, as each comes with its own unique look and fantastic benefits for your pond. Whether you choose one or choose them all, be sure to monitor their progress to make sure they fit in the unique environment of your pond.
At Closer Pets, we have many helpful products to make looking after your pond fish all the simpler. With pond pumps, pond filters, and automatic fish feeders, you can keep your pond as a clean and healthy environment while making feeding your finned friends convenient too, using our quality products.
If you have any questions about our fish pond supplies and how they can benefit you, contact us today, and a member of our team will be more than happy to help you out.