Aquatic Plant List
Creative Ponds & Landscapes is a pond & landscape contractor specializing in the installation of backyard ponds, waterfalls, pondless waterfalls, fountains, assorted water features, low voltage landscape lighting & landscaping in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN and surrounding area.
Below is a list of readily available aquatic plants. As water gardeners we must be very selective in the plants we use in our ponds. Most aquatic plants available are exotic species, not native to our area, and could cause problems to the native ecosystem if introduced. While these plants may be used in your water garden they must be kept out of public waters including lakes, wetlands & streams. I encourage you to use the many native aquatic plants now available. Click Here for MN. D.N.R article "What every water gardener should know"
Hardy Aquatic Plants
The hardy water plants listed below are those that are tolerant of our climate zone (zone 4) and most should reemerge and start growing in the spring. Most of these plants can be successfully over wintered in your Minnesota pond. Consult your local nursery for information about the proper care & requirements of each plant. By experimenting with various plants you will find which do best in your ponds location. Green highlighted plants are highly recommended.
All of the plants listed below are available at local nurseries that carry Aquatic plants.
Variegated Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus variegatus) Click here for photo Very hardy.
Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) Click here for photo Native to Minnesota.
Water Arum (Calla palustris) Native to Minnesota.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha pallustris) Click here for photo Early spring bloomer, native to Minnesota
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) Click here for photo Great submerged plant, native to Minnesota
Fiber Optic Rush (Elecharis montevidensis)
Canadian Pondweed (Elodea Canadensis) Great submerged plant. Native to Minnesota
Horse Tail (Equisetum fluviatile) Click here for photo Can become invasive in moist soil (keep in pot?) Native to Minnesota
Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) Click here for photo Native to Minnesota
Soft Rush ( Juncus effusus) Native to Minnesota
Duck Weed (Lemna minor) Click here for photo Floating plant.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Click here for photo Native to Minnesota. Best in moist soil, & bogs.
Forget-me-nots (Myosotis scirpoides) Click here for photo
Pickerel Rush (Pontederia cordata) Click here for photo Native to Minnesota
Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) Click here for photo Native to Minnesota
Narrow-Leaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria graminea)
Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus) Click here for photo
Marsh Betony (Stachys palustris) Very hardy
Narrow Leaf Cattail (Typha augustifolia) Click here for photo
Graceful Dwarf Cattail (Typha laxmannii)
Miniature Cattail (Typha minima) A great choice for a small pond
Ribbon Grass (Vallisneria gigantea) Click here for photo A submerged plant.
Hardy Water Lily (Nymphaea) Click here for photo There are many colors & sizes to choose from.
Tropical & Other Aquatic Plants
Most need 60-65 degree water temperatures. Must be brought indoors in the fall, or treated as annuals in zone 4
Water Hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos)
Violet Stem Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesia') Excellent for a shady area.
Black Magic Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic') Click here for photo Excellent for a shady area.
Green Stem Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Click here for photo Excellent for a shady area.
Umbrella Palm (Cyperus alternifolius) Click here for photo
Dwarf Umbrella Palm (Cyperus alternifolius 'Gracilis')
Zebra Rush (Scirpus zebrinus) Click here for photo Unique horizontal stripes are a great accent.
Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia 'Chameleon') Click here for photo Multi colored bog plant. Part shade/sun
Golden Club (Orontium aquaticum) Click here for photo
Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) Click here for photo
Watercress (Nasturtium oficinale)
Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) Floating plant. Excellent water filter, does best in sun.
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) Click here for photo
Water Canna (Thalia dealbata)
Water Zinnia (Wedelia trilobata) Nice zinnia like yellow flowers, does best in sun
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Resources & Credits
Photos of Blue flag, Golden Club, Lobelia, Monkey Flower, & Pickerel Weed © USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 Baton Rouge, LA 70874 USA.
Photos of Green Taro, Horsetail, Lizard's Tail, Parrot Feather, Ribbon Grass, & Water Lettuce © University of Florida Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants
Photo's of Sweet Flag, & Narrow Leaf Cattail ©Earl J.S Rook http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/aquatics/index.html Other: Plant Care Tag Photos