A well-designed water lily pond can be a stunning addition to any garden or landscape. Water lilies are often the focal point, with their elegant blooms and wide, floating leaves creating a serene atmosphere. But for a truly balanced and healthy ecosystem, adding companion plants to your pond can enhance the beauty, provide habitat for wildlife, and help maintain water quality.
Companion planting isn’t just for terrestrial gardens; in a water lily pond, it can help regulate nutrient levels, support pollinators, and improve overall aesthetics. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best companion plants for water lilies and how they can contribute to a thriving water lily pond.
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)
Pickerelweed is an excellent companion plant for water lilies due to its vibrant purple-blue spikes of flowers and its ability to thrive in shallow water. It grows well in moist to wet conditions and is often planted at the edges of a pond.
- Benefits: Pickerelweed helps filter excess nutrients from the water, which reduces algae growth—a common issue in water lily ponds. The plant also provides shelter for fish and amphibians and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Planting Tips: Plant pickerelweed in shallow water (2 to 6 inches deep) along the edges of your pond, where it will receive full sun.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a low-growing groundcover that thrives in moist environments, making it ideal for water lily ponds. With its trailing stems and bright yellow flowers, it adds a splash of color and can soften the pond’s edges.
- Benefits: Creeping Jenny helps reduce erosion along the pond’s banks and provides a lush, cascading effect when planted at the water’s edge. It also helps shade areas around the pond, reducing the likelihood of algae blooms.
- Planting Tips: Plant creeping Jenny in the shallow areas of the pond or in wet soil around the pond’s perimeter. It can tolerate partial shade to full sun, making it versatile for different pond environments.
Water Iris (Iris pseudacorus, Iris versicolor)
Water irises are striking plants that produce tall, elegant flowers in shades of yellow, blue, and purple. They thrive in shallow water and are a great addition to a water lily pond, both for their visual appeal and their ability to improve water quality.
- Benefits: Water irises are excellent for stabilizing the pond’s banks and improving filtration. Their root systems help absorb excess nutrients from the water, reducing the risk of algae overgrowth. They also provide shelter for pond wildlife.
- Planting Tips: Plant water irises in shallow water (up to 6 inches deep) or along the pond’s edge. They prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Marsh marigold is another fantastic companion plant for water lilies. It produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers in early spring, adding a pop of color to your pond before the water lilies bloom.
- Benefits: Marsh marigolds help support pollinators, attract beneficial insects, and provide cover for small animals and fish. Their presence also helps create a natural look in your pond ecosystem.
- Planting Tips: Marsh marigolds grow well in shallow water or in damp soil along the pond’s edge. They prefer partial shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates.
Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)
Horsetail is an ancient plant species with tall, vertical stems that add an architectural element to your water lily pond. It thrives in both wet soil and shallow water, making it a versatile companion plant.
- Benefits: Horsetail helps absorb nutrients from the water, which reduces the risk of algae blooms. Its dense growth also provides shelter and habitat for small fish and aquatic invertebrates.
- Planting Tips: Plant horsetail in shallow water or in wet soil at the edge of your pond. It grows best in full to partial sun.
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
Papyrus is an iconic plant that can make a bold statement in your water lily pond. With its tall stems and umbrella-like clusters of feathery foliage, it creates a tropical, lush atmosphere.
- Benefits: Papyrus helps with nutrient filtration, reducing the amount of organic matter in the water. Its height provides shade, which can help regulate water temperature and reduce algae growth. Additionally, papyrus provides shelter for birds and other wildlife.
- Planting Tips: Plant papyrus in water up to 6 inches deep or in very moist soil along the pond’s edges. It thrives in full sun.
Parrot’s Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
Parrot’s Feather is a floating plant with feathery green foliage that grows both above and below the water’s surface. It is often used as a companion plant in water lily ponds due to its ability to spread quickly and provide shade for fish and aquatic life.
- Benefits: Parrot’s Feather provides oxygen to the water and helps reduce algae by shading the water surface. It also offers habitat for small fish and invertebrates. However, it can spread rapidly, so regular maintenance is essential.
- Planting Tips: Parrot’s Feather can be placed in the pond’s shallow areas, but it is best to plant it in containers to control its spread. It prefers full sun to partial shade.
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
Though lotus plants are often thought of as competitors to water lilies, they can actually complement each other beautifully. Lotus plants have larger, more dramatic leaves and flowers, which can add contrast to the pond’s surface.
- Benefits: Lotus plants help create a diverse pond ecosystem by providing shade, reducing evaporation, and supporting pollinators. Their large leaves offer shelter for fish and amphibians, and their flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects.
- Planting Tips: Lotus plants require full sun and should be planted in water that is at least 12 inches deep. They prefer warmer climates but can be overwintered in cooler regions with proper care.
Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)
Arrowhead, also known as duck potato, is a native aquatic plant that grows in shallow water and produces arrow-shaped leaves and white, three-petaled flowers. It’s a wonderful addition to a water lily pond for both aesthetic and functional purposes.
- Benefits: Arrowhead helps improve water quality by filtering out nutrients that could otherwise promote algae growth. It also provides food and habitat for aquatic wildlife, including ducks and amphibians.
- Planting Tips: Plant arrowhead in shallow water (up to 6 inches deep) or along the pond’s edges. It prefers full to partial sun and grows well in both warm and cool climates.
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Water lettuce is a floating plant with rosette-like leaves that resemble heads of lettuce. It is often used in water lily ponds to provide shade and help control algae growth.
- Benefits: Water lettuce absorbs nutrients from the water, reducing the chance of algae blooms. It also provides a natural cover for fish and helps regulate water temperature.
- Planting Tips: Simply place water lettuce on the surface of your pond, allowing it to float freely. It prefers full to partial sun and will multiply quickly, so regular thinning may be necessary.
Final Thoughts
Creating a thriving water lily pond involves more than just planting water lilies. By adding companion plants like pickerelweed, creeping Jenny, water iris, and marsh marigold, you can enhance the beauty of your pond while supporting a balanced ecosystem. These plants help regulate water quality, provide shelter and habitat for wildlife, and add visual interest to the pond’s landscape.
When planning your water lily pond, consider the depth, sunlight, and climate conditions to choose the best companion plants. With the right combination, you’ll create a vibrant, healthy, and serene water feature that will bring joy and tranquility to your garden.
