Getting your planting right isn't just about aesthetics; it’s the most effective way to keep your pond water clear and your maintenance low. Whether you are creating a small pond, wildlife pond, or decorative garden pond, choosing and planting the right aquatic plants is essential for healthy water, natural filtration, and supporting pond wildlife.
When to Plant Pond Plants
Mid-spring through to early summer is the best time to plant pond plants or introduce new aquatic plants into your garden pond. During this period, water temperatures rise, allowing plants to establish quickly and grow strongly.
What You Need Before Planting Pond Plants
Before you begin planting, make sure you have all the necessary pond planting equipment and materials.
Aquatic baskets (pond plant baskets)
Pond plants should be grown in pond baskets or aquatic planters to control growth and prevent them becoming invasive. These also help protect your plants from your fish. Due to this all round protection, pond plant baskets are perfect for beginners setting up their first garden pond.
Using baskets is especially important for pond edge plants, marginal plants, and deep water pond plants, particularly in small ponds to prevent the plants taking up too much space.
Hessian
Aquatic planting baskets are typically lined with hessian or fabric squares, which help to stop the compost escaping. If soil does escape the pond basket, it can turn the water cloudy and clog your pond filter. Your plants will also miss out on the nutrients that aquatic soil provides, and their roots may also be weakened.
Pond compost (aquatic compost)
Avoid standard garden compost when planting pond plants. You should use a specialist pond plant compost to properly establish healthy root systems. Water World’s premium aquatic compost is fortified with grit and sand to stabilise aquatic plants, as well as all the nutrients needed to aid plant growth.
You can also top with:
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pond gravel
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fine stones or aquatic grit
This prevents fish from disturbing the soil and keeps water clear.
Pond Plants for Beginners
Different aquatic plants are planted in different areas of your pond, and at different depths. They may also need different size pond plant baskets.
Deep Water Pond Plants
Deep water pond plants include the iconic water lily water and British native pond plants like water crowfoot. These plants are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem; providing natural shade and reducing algae.
You will typically need a 5 to 10 litre basket for deep water pond plants as you will need to allow for root growth too. If you have large Koi, go bigger and heavier. They love to root around in soil, and a small basket is easily overturned.
Most deep water plants have a depth range between 30cm to 90cm. Initially, stand the baskets on bricks to keep leaves near the surface, then gradually lower them to their final deep position over several weeks as they grow.
Marginal Pond Plants
Marginal plants like water iris grow in the shallow shelves of a pond, typically in 0cm to 15cm of water. Their roots grow underwater in baskets, but their foliage and flowers grow entirely above the surface. These pond edge plants are a natural water filter and shade for wildlife, so are ideal for keeping a healthy and thriving pond.
Most marginals will need a 1-3 litre basket, but they grow tall and top heavy, so square baskets with stones or rocks at the bottom are best.
Oxygenating Pond Plants
Oxygenators release oxygen into the water during the day, which is vital for fish and beneficial bacteria. Since they compete with algae, oxygenating pond plants also keep your pond water clear.
These plants are sold in bunches - aim for 2–3 bunches into a 1-litre or 2-litre basket.
You can also increase oxygenation of ponds 6 feet or shallower with a pond fountain.
Floating Plants for Ponds
These are the exception to the planting guide below. Floating pond plants get their nutrients from the water rather than the soil. They are also highly seasonal, best bought and added in late spring or summer since they are susceptible to frost.
How to Plant Pond Plants in Baskets
Once you have chosen your pond plants, and have all the equipment above, you are ready to get your pond healthy and vibrant!
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Select a pond basket suitable for plant size. When choosing your basket size, remember to consider how big your plant will grow, rather than what size it is now.
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Line your basket with hessian or fabric. This should be large enough to cover your basket base and sides, plus a little overhang.
A quick tip: Make sure to soak the hessian in a bucket of pond water before putting it in the basket. This removes any loose fibres and ensures it sits flat against the mesh! -
Add stability. Taller plants may need some extra support, which you can provide by putting some rocks and stones at the bottom of your basket.
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Part-fill the container with aquatic compost.
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Place and firm in your plant. You should plant them to the same depth as they were in their original container.
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Top with a thin layer of grit or gravel.
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Trim off the excess hessian sticking out of the grit/gravel for a cleaner look.
People Also Ask
Do all pond plants need to be in baskets?
Using pond baskets is highly recommended for beginners. Baskets allow you to control the spread of vigorous species, protect roots from hungry fish, and make it much easier to move or prune your plants later.
Where can I buy pond plants near me?
Water World in Neston, Cheshire stocks a large variety of pond plants, and offers specialist advice on pond care and equipment.
How many oxygenating plants should I plant for my pond?
For a well-oxygenated pond, aim for 3 bunches (or 1 basket of 2-3 bunches) for every square metre of surface.
What pond plants keep water clear?
Oxygenating pond plants are key to clarity, as they compete for the same nutrients that algae thrives off. Marginal plants then act as a filter, pulling out the pollutants that cause your water to turn green.
Discover Water World's full range of pond supplies and equipment here, or visit in store to shop pond plants.
