15 of the Best Water Garden Plants to Grow
Add a splash of natural beauty to ponds and other water features with these water garden plants. Some need to be planted in water, while others thrive in constantly wet soil on the edges of water features. These water-loving plants will produce either flowers or interesting foliage.
Canna
Cannas are favorite, old-fashioned plants that you may not have considered for the water garden. They add a refreshing, tropical feel to your landscape.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged or pondside
Size: To 6 feet tall, depending on type
Zones: 8-11
Cardinal Flower
The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is an excellent late-summer bloomer, a perennial that will thrive at the edge of a water garden or fountain. The bright red flowers attract hummingbirds.
Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside
Size: 3 feet tall
Zones: 3-9
Cattail
A fast spreader, cattails (Typha latifolia) produce familiar spikes of fuzzy brown blooms and beautiful grassy leaves.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged, or pondside
Size: To 6 feet tall
Zones: 2-11
Japanese Iris
Japanese iris (Iris japonica) is another favorite water garden iris that bears large, often dinner-plate size flowers in a charming gallery of brushstroke color combinations.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside
Size: 3 feet tall
Zones: 3-8
Japanese Primrose
The perfect little plant for the water's edge, Japanese primroses (Primula japonica) are delightful perennials that thrive in acidic soils. They self-sow, resulting in a delightful colony of mixed colors within just a few seasons.
Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside
Size: To 18 inches tall
Zones: 4-8
Lotus
One of the most elegant bloomers in any water garden, the lotus (Nelumbo spp.) produces large, striking, peony-like flowers throughout the summer. The blooms appear in a number of colors and are a perfect accent to its gorgeous blue-green leaves.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged in water
Size: To 6 feet tall, depending on type
Zones: Tropical: 10-11, Hardy: 4-9
Pitcher Plant
This underused waterside plant is carnivorous, meaning it eats insects. Enjoy the tube-shaped leaves of pitcher plant (Sarracenia spp.) as well as the fascinating springtime red, purple, yellow, or green flowers.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside
Size: To 18 inches tall
Zones: 2-11, depending on type
Swamp Lily
Swamp lilies (Crinum americanum) are native to North America and bear pink or white blooms from spring to fall. Grown waterside, some types are deliciously fragrant and all are great for cutting.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside
Size: To 4 feet tall
Zones: 9-11
Louisiana Iris
Louisiana irises (Iris fulva) are native to areas of North America. Many hybrids have been developed, but one of the most elegant is the wild, red-flowered species that flourishes beside ponds.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside
Size: 3 feet tall
Zones: 5-9
Sweet Flag
Grow these plants for their striking foliage. Variegated types of sweet flag (Acorus calamus 'Variegata') offer bright cream and green stripes that stand out among other plants. Place them beside your water feature.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside
Size: To 5 feet tall
Zones: 4-11
Rain Lily
Like a crocus for water gardens, rain lilies (Zephyranthes spp.) produce delicate flowers during the summer months in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white. Grow them beside the water.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside
Size: To 1 foot tall
Zones: 9-11, depending on type
Perennial Hibiscus
You can't beat the big, bold flowers of hibiscus for a dramatic show. Native to wet areas across North America, perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is as tough and easy-to-grow as it is gorgeous, and loves being beside the water.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside
Size: To 8 feet tall
Zones: 5-10
Taro
Create a tropical look with taro (Colocasia, not to be confused with Alocasia, which looks similar and shares the common name of elephant's ears). For extra drama, select one of the beautiful purple-leaf varieties.
Growing Conditions: Part to full shade, pondside
Size: To 5 feet tall
Zones: 9-11
Papyrus
While ancient Egyptians used this plant to make paper, papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is also a great water garden plant. The tall stems create a decidedly tropical look.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, pondside or submerged
Size: To 6 feet tall
Zones: 9-11
Water Lily
A water garden isn't complete without an array of beautiful water lilies (Nymphaea spp). There are tropical and hardy types, as well as varieties that bloom during the day and at night.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, submerged in water
Size: To 6 feet wide, depending on type
Zones: Tropical: 10-11, Hardy: 4-9