If you don't have the space you need for a “real” pond, you can still create a mini pond and decorate it with pretty aquatic plants. In this guide you will find out which plants are particularly suitable for this.
Which aquatic plants are suitable for mini ponds?
Dwarf water lilies, swamp calla, water hyacinth, dwarf cattail, swamp forget-me-not, water nut, Cyprus grass, water iris, water lettuce, heart-leaved pikeweed, water poppy, swan flower, frog bite and horsetail are particularly suitable for planting a mini pond.
Basic considerations for mini pond planting
Which aquatic plants are right for the mini pond always depends on what this mini pond actually looks like.
- How big is the pond exactly?
- How deep is the pond?
- Where is the pond (sun, shade, partial shade)?
Depending on the characteristics of these parameters, certain aquatic plants are suitable, while others are less suitable. Any layperson can logically understand the reasons for this:
- Larger plants require more space than smaller ones.
- Different aquatic plants need different water depths.
- Some plants only thrive in the sun, others thrive in shade or partial shade.
In short, designing the mini pond is primarily about meeting the needs of the respective aquatic plants.
Note: Also note that some aquatic plants are not hardy. Therefore, you have to make a decision regarding this. Either you only rely on winter-hardy aquatic plants for your mini pond or you overwinter plants that are not frost-hardy.
Rules of thumb for planting the mini pond
- Use a maximum of five aquatic plants per square meter.
- The smaller the pond, the fewer plants you should use.
- In very small areas it looks better if you use several specimens of just one type of plant (instead of getting the same number from different plants).
- To ensure good water quality, underwater floating plants (such as water feathers or waterweed) are essential. On the one hand, they absorb excess nutrients from the water and on the other hand, they release oxygen into the water. No plant can survive without oxygen.
Ideas for planting the mini pond with aquatic plants
Finally, a few concrete ideas - i.e. examples of both visually and functionally successful plants for the mini pond.
Ideal as a solitaire
- Dwarf water lily (or a classic water lily)
- Swamp calla
- Water Hyacinth
Coherent mixed plantings
- Dygmy cattail, swamp forget-me-not and waternut
- Cyprus grass, water iris and water lettuce (shell flower)
- Heart-leaved pikeweed, water poppy and swan flower (flower rush, water violet)
Note: The latter combination in particular is only suitable for mini ponds that are not too small and a little deeper.
Solitaire and noble in groups
- Frogbite
- Horsetail
