Native aquatic plants: the complete list for a thriving pond (and the prohibited invasive species to avoid)

Choosing native plants for your pond does not mean giving up beauty. Yellow flag iris, purple loosestrife, white water lilies and water shamrock are every bit as beautiful as horticultural varieties. Above all, these plants have co-evolved with our insects, amphibians and birds: a native pond becomes teeming with life in a single season. They are also hardy by definition and cannot escape into the wild and become invasive.

1. Bank plants (moist soil to 5 cm of water)

2. Shallow-water plants (5 to 30 cm)

• Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus): very elegant pink umbels.
• Water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica): upright leaves and delicate white blooms.
• Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia): distinctive arrowhead-shaped leaves.
• Branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum): fruits in bristling balls.
• Water shamrock (Menyanthes trifoliata): fringed white flowers, among the finest on our banks.
• Water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile): architectural, ideal for a contemporary pond.

3. Deep-water plants (40 to 150 cm)

• White water-lily (Nymphaea alba): vigorous, for large ponds and lakes.
• Yellow water-lily (Nuphar lutea): tolerates shade and light currents.
• Yellow water-lily (Nymphoides peltata): small yellow flowers, spreads quickly.
• Floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans): oval floating leaves, shelter for wildlife.
• Water smartweed (Persicaria amphibia): pink spikes above the water.

4. Submerged oxygenating plants

They are the pond's invisible workers. They draw nutrients directly from the water and compete with algae. Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), spiked watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), water violet (Hottonia palustris) with its lovely emergent lilac flowers, water crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) and water-starworts are the most useful.

5. Free-floating plants

Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), a small miniature water lily, and faux-aloe (Stratiotes aloides), which sinks to the bottom in winter and rises again in spring, are two remarkable native species. Duckweed is also native, but its proliferation can cover an entire pond: avoid it in small ponds.

Invasive alien species never to plant

The European regulation on invasive alien species prohibits the sale, cultivation and introduction into the environment of several plants that were once commonly sold in garden centers. For ponds, the main ones are:

If you discover one of these species in your pond, remove it completely and dispose of it at a waste collection center, never in compost or a ditch.

Planting native species

In a lined pond, plant in perforated baskets with poor aquatic soil, or in pockets of substrate on the shelves. Vigorous species (iris, purple loosestrife, white water lily) are best kept in baskets in small ponds. In a natural pond, most establish directly in the bottom and colonize their preferred zone.

Also read

To welcome wildlife with your native plants: How to create a natural pond to promote biodiversity?.

READ THE ARTICLE

Frequently asked questions

— Are native plants less decorative?

No. Yellow iris, purple loosestrife, flowering rush, water shamrock and water violet provide remarkable blooms from spring to late summer.

— Can plants be collected from the wild?

It is discouraged and sometimes prohibited: some species are protected, and you risk introducing invasive species or parasites. Buy identified plants.

— Are ornamental water lilies a problem?

No, water lily hybrids are not among the regulated invasive species. Combined with native plants, they have every place in a pond.

— How many species are needed for a balanced pond?

Aim for at least one plant per zone: bank, shallow water, deep water and submerged oxygenating plants. Diversity matters more than the number of plants.

In summary

• Native plants are hardy, beautiful and provide food for local wildlife.
• At least one species per zone: bank, shallow water, deep water, submerged.
• Hornwort, Eurasian watermilfoil and water violet for oxygenation.
• Parrot's feather, Brazilian watermilfoil, Nuttall's waterweed and water hyacinth are prohibited.

Last updated: September 28, 2026.