Best Plants for Ponds in the Sun

If your pond is on the sunny side of your garden, you’ll need plants that thrive in full sunlight and can take the heat. Water Lilies and other floating aquatic plants are at their best in warm, sunny conditions, but you’ll also need to choose sun-loving oxygenators (to keep the water clear), submerged plants (for the wildlife!) and a good selection of flowering and foliage plants for the edges of your pond. We’ve taken the hard work out of choosing with this collection of the best varieties for every area of the pond - so all you need to do is plant them up and dust off the deckchairs!

Pond plants (157) Water irises (20)Water lilies (44)Ferns (34)Pond grasses (16)Oxygenating pond plants (13)
  • Joey Tomocik Water Lily | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Golden Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Joey Tomocik'

    An incredibly cheery variety

    • Lemon yellow blooms with a golden glow
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • A position in full sun is ideal
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 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
  • Water Lily 'Charles de Meurville' | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Charles de Meurville'

    Intense magenta hues

    • Decadent, pink-to-wine-coloured water lily
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Prefers a fully sunny position
    • Hardy, floriferous and long-flowering

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea Madame Wilfron Gonnere Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Madame Wilfron Gonnère'

    An absolute superstar

    • Distinctive, dahlia-like double blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Plant in full sunshine (at least six hours)
    • Blooms all the way from June until September

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Paul Hariot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Paul Hariot'

    Beautiful, painterly shades

    • Apricot to orange-pink blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Loves full sun (six hours or more)
    • An ideal size for the average pond

    4 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Colocasia Rubra Black Magic | Elephant Ear Plant Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Colocasia rubra 'Black Magic' | Elephant Ear Plant

    An enchanting pondside plant

    • Huge purple leaves redolent of elephant ears
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Thrives in full sun or partial shade
    • Suitable for growing in pots

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Water Lily | Nymphaea Albatross Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Albatross'

    A big water lily for big impact

    • Snowy white petals and lush, leathery leaves
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Perfect for a sunny pond
    • Floriferous without being overly vigorous

    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

  • 5 Water Crowsfoot| Oxygenating | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Oxygenating Water Crowfoot | Ranunculus aquatilis

    Clouds of brightest white

    • Dainty white flowers, lush emerald foliage
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from July to August

    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

  • Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea Xiafei Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Xiafei'

    Perfect for container ponds

    • Dainty magenta blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • A sun-loving plant (six hours or more)
    • A small waterlily, perfect for compact ponds

    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

  • Miniature Bulrush | Typha minima Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Miniature Bulrush | Typha minima

    Perfect for smaller ponds

    • Slender leaves, small 'cattail' seedheads
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in a position with full sun
    • Flowers from July to August

    Currently out of stock

  • 5 Frogbit Plants | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Frogbit Plants

    Elegant floating flowers

    • Charming tri-leaved blooms atop green pads
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow in a fully sunny position
    • Flowers in summer from June to July

    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

  • Corkscrew Rush | Juncus effusus spiralis Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Corkscrew Rush | Juncus effusus spiralis

    Superb spiralling rush stems

    • Incredible corkscrew, twisting stems
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Attracts wildlife (including dragonflies!)

    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

  • 5 Water Violet Plants| Oxygenating | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Oxygenating Water Violet Plants | Hottonia palustris

    Ferny foliage dotted with lilac

    • Feathery foliage, delicate white flowers
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grows best in partial shade
    • Flowers from June to August

    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

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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