Shady Pond Plants

The location of your pond influences the kinds of plants which grow and thrive there. If your pond is in a shadier spot, it can be difficult to pick the right plants for each area - deep water, pondside and pond edge varieties all need to be chosen with care for cooler conditions. That’s why we curated this collection for shady ponds. Each plant is chosen especially for its tolerance of light, medium or even full shade, and will help to create a beautiful, healthy and wildlife-friendly pond that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.
Pond plants (157) Water irises (20)Water lilies (44)Ferns (34)Pond grasses (16)Oxygenating pond plants (13)
  • 3 Eared Lady Fern | Athyrium otophorum okanum | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    £23
    £23

    Eared Lady Fern | Athyrium otophorum okanum

    Amongst the most striking ferns

    • Yellow and green leaves with purple midribs
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Grows in all light (prefers part shade)
    • Brightens any shady border!

    1 option available

    Trustpilot
  • Houttuynia cordata 'Boo Boo' Pond Plants
    From £23
    From £23

    Houttuynia cordata 'Boo Boo'

    Aromatic with great autumn hues

    • Citrus-scented leaves, bright white blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Equally happy in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to September

    3 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Lobelia fulgens 'Queen Victoria' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Lobelia fulgens 'Queen Victoria'

    Blooms worthy of any monarch

    • Scorching red blooms and burgundy foliage
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Happy in full sun or partial shade
    • Summer flowering from August to September

    3 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Bloodwort Wood Dock | Rumex sanguineus Pond Plants
    From £23
    From £23

    Wood Dock | Rumex sanguineus

    Use in tangy-tasting salads!

    • Striking red-veined foliage, tiny flowers
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Best in full sun but grows in partial shade
    • Flowering from June to August

    1 option available

    Trustpilot
  • Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Variegated Flag Iris | Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata'

    RHS-award-winning yellow flag

    • Bold yellow blooms with subtle brown markings
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Golden Variegated Sweet Flag | Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Golden Variegated Sweet Flag | Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'

    Compact and oh-so versatile

    • Narrow, strappy leaves (chartreuse and green)
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Full sun is best for this plant
    • Perfect for containers and mini ponds

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Sweet Galingale | Cyperus longus Pond Plants
    From £35
    From £35

    Sweet Galingale | Cyperus longus

    Easy to grow for *big* impact

    • Arching foliage with nutty brown blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from July to August

    3 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'

    Superb rainbow of mottled leaves

    • Incredible variegated foliage, white blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grows well in full sun or partial shade
    • Summer flowering from May to September

    3 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Varigated Water Dropwort 'Flamingo' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Varigated Water Dropwort 'Flamingo'

    Wonderfully-variegated leaves

    • Gorgeous tri-coloured foliage, dainty flowers
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers throughout July and August

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Gardener's Garters | Ribbon Grass Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Gardener's Garters | Ribbon Grass

    A fabulous two-toned bunchgrass

    • Stylishly-striped ribbons of foliage
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Thrives in full sun or partial shade
    • Thrives in full sun or partial shade

    5 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno' Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno'

    A prolific favourite

    • Gorgeous yellow blooms on vertical stems
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Hornwort Plant | Oxygenating Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Oxygenating Hornwort Plant | Ceratophyllum demersum

    Keeps your pond nice and healthy

    • Bottlebrush-like leaves on vivid green stems
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grows well in full sun, partial or full shade
    • Provides excellent algal control

    Currently out of stock

  • Water Forget-Me-Not | Myosotis scorpioides Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Water Forget-Me-Not | Myosotis scorpioides

    The most delightful pastel blue

    • Stunning blue and yellow blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Long flowering from May to September

    Currently out of stock

  • Fibre Optic Plant | Isolepsis Cerna| Oxygenating Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Oxygenating Fibre Optic Plant | Isolepsis cerna

    A plant to improve your Wi-Fi?!

    • Spiky grass that looks like fibre optic cable
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Happy in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from June to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Upright Water Milfoil| Oxygenating Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Oxygenating Upright Water Milfoil | Myriophyllum crispatum

    Feathery, filligree-like foliage

    • Delicate, pipe cleaner-esque foliage
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Suited to full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from June to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Bog Pimpernel | Anagallis tenella Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Bog Pimpernel | Anagallis tenella

    Low-growing loveliness

    • An evergreen carpet of tiny pink blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Long flowering period from June to September

    Currently out of stock

  • Pond in a Pot Planting Kit | Oxygenating & Wildlife | Flowers & Structure Pond Plants
    From £60
    £90 From £60

    Pond in a Pot Planting Kit | Oxygenating & Wildlife | Flowers & Structure

    Create a beautiful mini pond

    • A range of small plants for a lovely display
    • Zones 2 & 3 - Pond edges and deep water
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Contains oxygenators and decorative plants

    Currently out of stock

  • 5 Water Lettuce | Pistia stratiotes | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Water Lettuce | Pistia stratiotes

    Float yer' greens...

    • Floating rosettes of lush green foliage
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • No planting needed, just place on the water!

    Currently out of stock

  • Best Pond Plants for Any Size Pond | All in One | Oxygenating & Wildlife | Flowers & Structure Pond Plants
    From £60
    £75 From £60

    Best Pond Plants for Any Size Pond | All in One | Oxygenating & Wildlife | Flowers & Structure

    Everything needed for a pond

    • Features a range of gorgeous pond plants
    • Zones 2 & 3 - Pond edges and deep water
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Keeps your pond healthy and attracts wildlife

    Currently out of stock

  • Water Mint | Mentha aquatica Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Water Mint | Mentha aquatica

    Minty freshness inbound

    • Aromatic foliage with dainty flowers
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grows well in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from July right through to October

    Currently out of stock

  • Red Stem Parrot's Feather| Oxygenating Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Oxygenating Red Stem Parrot's Feather | Myriophyllum brasiliensis

    Vivid red stems, lush leaves

    • Verdant foliage from bright red stems
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Thrives in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from June to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Creeping Jenny | Lysimachia nummularia Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Creeping Jenny | Lysimachia nummularia

    Bright, cheery and compact

    • Adorable little buttercup flowers
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Plant in full sun to partial shade
    • Summer flowering from June to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Pickerel Rush | Pontederia cordata Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Pickerel Weed | Pontederia cordata

    Lilac-blue flower spikes

    • Superb thimble-like, blue blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Loves a sunny spot
    • Free flowering from July to September

    Currently out of stock

  • Brazilian Micro Sword | Lilaeopsis brasiliensis| Oxygenating 1L Pot Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Oxygenating Brazilian Micro Sword | Lilaeopsis brasiliensis

    Fresh greenery for shallow water

    • Broad, blade-like green leaves
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Suited to full sun or partial shade
    • Perfect for container ponds

    Currently out of stock

  • 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

  • Iris sibirica Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris sibirica

    Fabulous painterly flowers

    • Majestic purple hues on delicate blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers throughout May and June

    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!

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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