• Decide if you want your plants to be natives or exotics, or a mix of both. For native species that will attract wildlife, see the Planting up ponds leaflet from the Freshwater Habitats Trust 

• Choose the right plants for the depth of water – some ponds are the same depth throughout, others have sloping or shelved edges that provide suitable conditions for a wider range of plants. So measure your depth(s) before you buy new plants. With waterlilies there are options for all depths, from miniature cultivars that are happy in just 10cm (4in) of water, up to those that need 1.2m (4ft) or deeper

• Some water plants and marginals are vigorous, spreading via roots or by self-seeding. These can be useful in large ponds and lakes, but small ponds need more restrained choices, otherwise you’ll always be struggling to control them. Always check the plant’s eventual size before buying, and if you choose a potentially vigorous plant, be prepared to keep it under control

• Beware of invasive plants – some aquatic plants are notorious spreaders and although the worst ones have been banned from sale, it’s still worth taking care. Make sure your pond plants can never escape into the wild, via a nearby stream for example

• Quarantine new purchases for a few weeks before planting in your pond. Many potentially invasive species, such as Crassula helmsii, are accidentally introduced into ponds as contaminants on newly bought water plants

For planting tips, see our guides:

Aquatic plants: planting

Aquatic plants: planting

How to grow aquatic and bog plants

How to grow aquatic and bog plants

Planting up a wildlife pond

Planting up a wildlife pond

Submerged plants produce oxygen during the day and provide cover for aquatic life. Widely available choices include:

Callitriche hermaphroditica (syn. C. autumnalis) (water starwort): Also suitable for running water (may become a nuisance in small pools)
Ceratophyllum demersum, C. submersum (hornwort): Suitable for deep water, free floating
Fontinalis antipyretica (willow moss): Best planted attached to a stone, suitable for running water
Hippuris vulgaris (mare’s-tail)
Hottonia palustris (water violet): Do not move or plant in summer; lilac flowers in summer
Myriophyllum spicatum, M. verticillatum (water milfoils)
Potamogeton crispus, P. pectinatus (may become a nuisance in small pools)
Ranunculus aquatilis (water crowfoot): White flowers in May; also suitable for running water

Floating plants don’t need to be rooted into soil or compost. Their presence on the surface reduces the amount of sunlight penetrating the water and keeps the water cooler, discouraging algae. Aim to keep around 50 per cent of the surface clear of vegetation, if necessary by thinning occasionally during the summer.

The most popular choices are:
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (frogbit): Small white flowers; sinks to the bottom in winter
Stratiotes aloides (water soldier): Floats just below surface; sinks in winter (may become a nuisance in small pools)

2. Water 5–15cm (2–6in)
Acorus calamus ‘Argenteostriatus’ (sweet flag): Foliage variegated creamy-white, greenish flowers, can be invasive. Height 60cm (2ft) (may become too invasive for small pools)
Butomus umbellatus AGM (flowering rush): Pink flowers in summer, like a miniature agapanthus. Height 60-75cm (2-2½ft)
Calla palustris (bog arum): Glossy leaves, white flowers in summer, followed by spikes of red berries. Height 22cm (9in)
Glyceria maxima var. variegata: Yellow and white variegated leaves, rosy autumn leaf colour. Height 60cm (2ft) (may become too invasive for small pools)
Iris laevigata AGM: Rich blue flowers in June. Height 60-75cm (2-2½ft)
I. pseudacorus AGM (yellow flag): Yellow flowers. Height 90cm (3ft) (may become too invasive for small pools)
Juncus effusus f. spiralis (corkscrew rush): Stems twisted in a corkscrew manner. Height 45cm (1½ft)
Lobelia cardinalis AGM: Purplish foliage, scarlet flowers. Needs winter frost protection in most regions. Height 60-75cm (2-2½ft)
Lysichiton camtschatcensis AGM: white flowers. Height 30cm (1ft)
Orontium aquaticum (golden club): Shiny leaves, yellow flowers in a spike. Height 10-12cm (4-5in)
Pontederia cordata AGM (pickerel weed): Glossy leaves, blue flowers in late summer. Height 45-60cm (1½ft-2ft)
Ranunculus lingua 'Grandiflorus' (large-flowered spearwort): Reddish stems, large yellow buttercup flowers. Height 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft)
Sagittaria sagittifolia (Old World arrowhead): The double white flowered form ‘Flore Pleno’ is particularly attractive. Height 75cm (2½ft)
Schoenoplectus lacustris subsp. tabernaemontani ‘Albescens’: Stems sulphur white when young, darkening to green. Height 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft) (may become too invasive for small pools)
S. lacustris subsp. tabernaemontani ‘Zebrinus’ (zebra rush): White stems banded with green. Height 45cm-1.2m (1½-4ft)
Typha angustifolia: ‘Cat’s tails’ inflorescence. Height 1.2m (4ft) (may become too invasive for small pools)
T. laxmannii: Narrow leaves, ‘cat’s tails’ inflorescence. Height 90cm-1.2m (3-4ft)
T. minima: Brown ‘cat’s tails’ inflorescence. Height 30-45cm (1-1½ft)
 

3. Water 15–30cm (6in–1ft) deep
Menyanthes trifoliata (bog bean): Olive-green trefoil leaves, pinkish white flowers in spring. Height 15cm (6in)
Ranunculus flammula (lesser spearwort): Bright yellow flowers. Height 70cm (2ft 4in)
Thalia dealbata: Bold blue-green leaves. Height 1.5m (5ft)
Zantedeschia aethiopica (arum lily) AGM: White spathe, golden spadix, fragrant. ‘Crowborough’ is the hardiest form. Height 45cm (1½ft)

4. Water 30cm (1ft) or more
Alisma plantago-aquatica (great water plantain): White flowers. Remove dead flowers to prevent seeding. Height 60-90cm (2-3ft) (may become too invasive for small pools)
Aponogeton distachyos (water hawthorn): Tuberous. Fragrant white flowers. Water snails will feed on this plant and kill it. Height 5cm (2in)
 

1. Water 10–30cm (4in–1ft) deep
Nymphaea odorata var minor: Fragrant, pink
N. tetragona: White
N. ‘Pygmaea Helvola’ AGM: Yellow flowers, marbled leaves
N. ‘Pygmaea Rubra’: Free-flowering, red
 

2. Water 30–45cm (1–1½ft) deep
Nymphaea ‘Aurora’: Cream opening yellow to orange
N. ‘Caroliniana Nivea’: Fragrant, white
N. ‘Charlene Strawn’: Lemon yellow
N. ‘Ellisiana’: Red
N. ‘Fire Crest’: Deep pink
N. ‘Froebelii’: Dark red
N. ‘Indiana’: Apricot-orange
N. ‘Laydekeri Fulgens’: Early free-flowering, red
N. ‘Laydekeri Lilacea’: Fragrant, rosy-lilac
N. ‘Lucidia’: Free-flowering, pink
N. ‘Mme Wilfon Gonnère’: Double pink
N. ‘Pink Sensation’: Pink

3. Water 45–75cm (1½–2½ft) deep
Nymphaea ‘Gonnere’ AGM: Fragrant, white
N. ‘James Brydon’ AGM: Free flowering, red
N. ‘Marliacea Carnea’: White flushed pink
N. ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ AGM: Yellow flowers
N. ‘Masaniello’: Fragrant, pink
N. ‘Rose Arey’: Pink, star-shaped, fragrant flowers
N. ‘William Falconer’: Cherry red

4. Water 75cm–1.2m (2½–4ft) deep
Nymphaea alba: Prolific white flowers
N. ‘Amabilis’: Tulip-shaped flowers, salmon pink
N. ‘Attraction’: Red flowers darkening with age
N. ‘Escarboucle’ AGM: Free flowering, red
N. ‘Gladstoneana’ AGM: Free flowering, white