UK Native Pond Plants

Native pond plants are those which grow naturally in the ponds, streams and rivers of the UK. They’re ideally suited to the British weather and perfect for attracting bees, butterflies, frogs and more. With beloved native marginal plants like Bulrushes and Flag Irises, submerged or floating plants and even Waterlilies, you can bring the classic look of the English countryside to your pond and benefit our environment at the same time. Give your pond the natural look with our native collection - the wildlife will love it as much as you do! Need help picking?
Pond plants (157) Water irises (20)Water lilies (44)Ferns (34)Pond grasses (16)Oxygenating pond plants (13)
  • Watercress | Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Watercress | Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum

    Attractive and delicious!

    • Beautiful small, white blooms, tasty leaves
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Thrives in full sun or partial shade
    • Blooms from June to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Lesser Spearwort | Ranunculus flammula Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Lesser Spearwort | Ranunculus flammula

    Long-flowering, floating blooms

    • Cheery yellow flowers, lanceolate foliage
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Plant in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowering from June to September

    Currently out of stock

  • Mare's Tail | Hippuris vulgaris| Oxygenating 1L Pot Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Oxygenating Mare's Tail | Hippuris vulgaris

    Amongst the finest oxygenators

    • Feathery, brush-like foliage
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Happy in full sun or partial shade
    • Evergreen plant native to the UK

    Currently out of stock

  • Water Plantain | Alisma plantago aquaticum Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Water Plantain | Alisma plantago-aquaticum

    Adds truly delightful elegance

    • Tiny fragrant flowers on tall stalks
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Pennyroyal | Mentha pulegium Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Pennyroyal | Mentha pulegium

    Unmistakable minty fragrance

    • Mint-scented foliage with lovely lilac blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grows well in full sun or partial shade
    • Long flowering from July to October

    Currently out of stock

  • Cyperus Sedge | Carex Pseudocyperus Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Cyperus Sedge | Carex pseudocyperus

    Attract dragonflies!

    • Lime green tufts of foliage
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Plant in sun or part shade
    • Flowers from May to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Marsh Marigold | Caltha Palustris Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris

    Some of the daintiest flowers

    • Heart-shaped foliage, bright yellow blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grows best in full sun to partial shade
    • Flowers during March and April

    Currently out of stock

  • Water Pimpernel | Veronica beccabunga Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Water Pimpernel | Veronica beccabunga

    Loved by pollinators!

    • Succulent foliage, delicate blue blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Thrives in a sunny spot
    • Long flowering from May to September

    Currently out of stock

  • Snakes Head Fritillary | Fritillaria meleagris Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Snake's Head Fritillary | Fritillaria meleagris

    Incredibly unusual patternation

    • Amazing chequered blooms
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Spring flowering from April to May
    • Spring flowering from April to May

    Currently out of stock

  • 5 Water Soldier Plants | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Water Soldier Plants

    Stand tall, soldier!

    • Broad, blade-like leaves in mid-green
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Best in full sun but also grows in part shade
    • Flowers from June to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Cowslip | Primula Veris Pond Plants
    £23
    £23

    Cowslip | Primula veris

    A native, sweet-scented classic

    • Nodding umbels of cheery yellow blooms
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Grow around a sunny or partly-shaded pond
    • Flowers from April to June

    Currently out of stock

  • Hemp Agrimony | Eupatorium cannabinum Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Hemp Agrimony | Eupatorium cannabinum

    Prolific powder pink blooms

    • Dusky pink flower clusters on tall stems
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Suitable for full sun (or partial shade)
    • Flowers from July to September

    Currently out of stock

  • Marsh Woundwort | Stachys palustris Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Marsh Woundwort | Stachys palustris

    A bumblebee's paradise

    • Pretty pink flower cones and toothed foliage
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Thrives in full sun or partial shade
    • Free flowering from June to August

    Currently out of stock

Enfield

Meet Caroline

A deep dive into sustainable gardening

Nestled amongst wildlife meadows and resident ducks, Caroline’s award winning pond plant nursery in Enfield has been making a splash since 1965, when they invented the (recycled, obvs) aquatic basket. Sixty years and multiple RHS gold medals later, they’re still surprising us with new varieties every year!

Need help picking?

Why choose native pond plants?

Why choose native pond plants?

There are many reasons to choose native pond plants, including both wildlife appeal and aesthetic impact. Native pond plants are indigenous to the UK, and have shared an evolutionary pathway with the other wildlife found in British ponds. Aquatic environments are finely-tuned, and as such, it doesn’t take much to nudge this homeostasis out of balance. By using native pond plants, you’re more likely to keep that settled equilibrium between flora and fauna. It’s like baby bear’s po(nd)rridge – just right.

What are the best native pond plants?

What are the best native pond plants?

Determining ‘the best’ of anything is always a bit subjective, but there are definitely native pond plants we’re particularly partial to here at Roots, including marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and water crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) on the flowering side of things, and water soldier (Stratiotes aloides), hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and water violet (Hottonia palustris) on the foliage end. Honourable mentions also go to water avens (Geum rivale), ragged robin (Silene flos-cuculi) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

Caring for native pond plants

Caring for native pond plants

Looking after native pond plants is much the same as any other pond plants. An application of aquatic fertiliser during spring can help your plants flourish and remain healthy. Plant your native pond plants in aquatic baskets to help keep them nice and secure (bog/marsh plants can be planted straight into the ground). Prune back marginals (like yellow flag iris – Iris pseudacorus) in winter, cutting back to healthy, green foliage. Thin out any plants that have become overcrowded, as they may take over your pond if you’re not careful.

Happy plants make happy customers

Trustpilot
Ornamental Colour Collection Pond Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.

Monica Spence

| 24 May
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides Climbing Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

Jacqueline Burgess

| 2 Jun
five star rating on Trustpilot

I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.

Judy Lane

| 23 Oct
E 'Black Hamburgh' Indoor Grape Vine Soft Fruit
five star rating on Trustpilot

The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.

Martyn Hill

| 5 Jul
E 'Braeburn Hillwell' Apple Tree Fruit Trees
five star rating on Trustpilot

As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

John-Paul

| 22 May
five star rating on Trustpilot

Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.

Gavin Wilcock

| 8 Nov

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