The Best Pond Plants for Attracting and Supporting Frogs in Australia

on May 04 2023

Updated October 2026

Want frogs in your garden? The quickest way to attract them is a pond with plenty of plants, shallow sloping edges, clean chemical-free water and somewhere to hide. Get those right and local frogs will usually find you on their own. In this guide we share the best pond plants for frogs in Australia, plus our proven tips for turning any pond, from a large backyard pond to a half wine barrel, into a frog haven.

Quick answer: how do you attract frogs to a pond?

Plant it up. Mix tall edge plants, spreading cover plants and flowering plants. Aim to cover about two thirds of the pond.
Add shallow, sloping edges. Frogs need an easy way in and out, and shallow water for eggs and tadpoles.
Keep the water clean and chemical free. No pesticides nearby, and dechlorinate tap water top-ups.
Give them cover. Rocks, logs and dense planting protect frogs from birds, cats and the midday sun.
Go easy on fish. All fish will eat frog eggs and tadpoles, so keep few or none.
Be patient. Never move frogs or spawn in from elsewhere. Build the right habitat and they will come.

Why attract frogs to your pond?

Frog numbers are declining around the world, and scientists see this as a sign that all is not well with the environment. Backyard ponds give local frogs somewhere safe to shelter and breed, and the frogs repay you by eating mosquitoes, flies and other garden insects. Their calls on a warm evening are one of the best parts of owning a pond.

Australia has many species of both ground frogs and tree frogs. You can usually tell them apart by their feet: ground frogs have small fingers, while tree frogs have sticky, suction-cup-like toe pads. Most frogs don't spend much time in the water itself, but they need it to breed. That's why the plants and edges around your pond matter just as much as the water.

What frogs need from a pond

Frog-friendly water garden with pond plants

Shallow edges that slope gradually deeper. Shallow water warms up quickly for eggs and tadpoles. We recommend a depth of 25–70cm at the deepest point, with gently sloping shelves around the edge.
Dense planting. Frogs shelter at the base of tall plants and under pond edging, and they lay eggs among submerged and floating foliage.
Insects to eat. Flowering plants bring in the small insects that adult frogs feed on.
Clean, well-oxygenated water. Oxygenating plants and a small recirculating pump keep the water healthy for tadpoles.
Safety from predators. Rocks, logs and thick planting give frogs and tadpoles places to hide.

The best pond plants for attracting frogs in Australia

We grow far more frog-friendly pond plants than we can fit here, but these are our favourites. For the best results, combine plants from each group.

Tall edge plants: shelter and calling posts

Frog Grass (Carex fascicularis): An Australian native sedge that grows 60–70cm tall. Its arching leaves give frogs height, structure and a safe place to rest. Plant several around your pond and you won't regret it.

Knobby Club Rush (Ficinia nodosa): A hardy Australian native that grows to about 50cm. Frogs love perching among its upright stems, and it copes with a wide range of conditions.

Water Iris 'Sextet' (Louisiana Iris): A tall marginal with beautiful flowers. Frogs are often found sheltering at the base of iris clumps.

Dwarf Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus nana): A classic structural pond plant that grows to around 60cm and forms clumps that slowly spread, creating excellent frog habitat.

Spreading cover plants: hiding places for frogs and tadpoles

Running Marsh Flower (Villarsia reniformis): An Australian native with glossy, lily-like leaves and yellow flowers. It spreads across the water from its floating ring, giving cover for tadpoles and fish.

Hairy Nardoo (Marsilea drummondii): A unique Australian native with soft, furry, clover-like leaves that close at night. In deeper water the leaves float on the surface, and in shallow water it grows upright.

Swamp Goodenia (Goodenia humilis): A low, carpeting Australian native for moist and boggy edges, with bright yellow flowers in the warmer months. It gives excellent cover for frogs, tadpoles and fish.

Shield Pennywort (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides): A low-growing creeper with small, round leaves that softens pond edges and boggy areas and gives frogs somewhere to hide.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): An Australian native with spreading stems and small white flowers. Grow it in its floating ring for surface cover, or submerge it to help oxygenate the water.

Flowering plants: bringing in insects for frogs to eat

Pink Rotala (Rotala rotundifolia): Our top pick for feeding frogs. Its long-lasting pink flowers attract small insects, and its dense growth gives plenty of shelter. It grows to about 20cm tall.

Hardy water lilies: Lily pads make perfect basking and hiding spots, shade the water and give frogs somewhere to lay their eggs. The flowers draw in insects too.

Oxygenators: healthy water for tadpoles

Upright Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum crispatum): An Australian native that oxygenates the water, absorbs excess nutrients and gives tadpoles fine, feathery cover to hide in.

Frog plants at a glance

Plant	Australian native	What it does for frogs
Frog Grass	Yes	Tall shelter and resting spot (60–70cm)
Knobby Club Rush	Yes	Upright stems for perching (about 50cm)
Water Iris 'Sextet'	No	Shelter at the base of the clump
Dwarf Papyrus	No	Structure and habitat (about 60cm)
Running Marsh Flower	Yes	Spreading cover for tadpoles
Hairy Nardoo	Yes	Floating or upright leafy cover
Swamp Goodenia	Yes	Carpeting cover on boggy edges
Shield Pennywort	Yes	Low cover around edges
Brahmi	Yes	Surface cover and oxygen
Pink Rotala	No	Flowers attract insects to eat
Hardy water lilies	No	Basking pads, shade and egg-laying sites
Upright Water Milfoil	Yes	Oxygen and cover for tadpoles

Want the easy option? Our Frog Attracting Pond Plant Starter Pack puts together a mix of frog-friendly plants in 7cm pots with floating rings, ready to drop straight into your pond. For an all-native pond, try our Native Pond Plant Starter Pack.

8 tips to attract frogs to your pond

1. Plant generously

Plants are the single biggest factor. Use a mix of the tall, spreading, flowering and oxygenating plants above. The more cover you give frogs, the safer they'll feel.

2. Create shallow, sloping edges

Frogs need to get in and out of the water easily, and eggs and tadpoles do best in shallow, warm water. Build gradual shelves that slope down to 25–70cm, and avoid steep, slippery sides.

3. Add rocks and logs

Place rocks with their sloping faces into the water to create gentle ramps rather than sudden drop-offs. Logs sitting partly above the waterline give frogs a place to climb out, bask and hide from predators.

4. Avoid pesticides and chemicals

Frogs absorb chemicals through their skin, so never use pesticides in or near your pond. They also kill the insects frogs feed on. Choose natural methods for pest and algae control.

5. Dechlorinate tap water top-ups

Frogs are very sensitive to the chlorine and chloramine in town water. If you top up from the tap, treat the water first with a dechlorinator such as API Tap Water Conditioner. Rainwater is ideal if you have it.

6. Go easy on fish

Unfortunately, all fish will eat frog eggs and tadpoles if given the chance, though some eat far fewer than others. Small native fish such as smelt and Murray River rainbowfish tend to do the least damage. Frogs can lay hundreds or even thousands of eggs, so with plenty of plant cover some tadpoles will usually survive. For a dedicated frog pond, leave the fish out altogether.

7. Keep the water gently moving

A small recirculating pump, fountain or waterfall adds oxygen for tadpoles and keeps the water fresh. Keep the flow gentle around the shallow edges where eggs and tadpoles shelter.

8. Build a frog hotel

Tree frogs love moist, sheltered hideaways. Push lengths of PVC pipe (about 1m long) firmly into the ground near your pond to make frog tubes. Add a pile of rocks, logs and leaf litter close by and you'll have a frog hotel.

Don't move frogs or spawn into your pond

We often get asked where to buy frogs for a new pond. Please don't collect frogs, tadpoles or spawn from elsewhere and move them into your pond. Native frogs are protected in Australia, and moving them risks spreading disease to the frogs already living in your area. Create the right habitat and be patient. As the saying goes, "build it and they will come." You'll know your frogs have spawned when you see frothy or jelly-like clumps of small black dots among your pond plants.

Small space? You can still have frogs

Frog in a small pot water garden

A frog pond doesn't need to be big. A small preformed pond, a half wine barrel or a large water bowl with plenty of plants and cover can be enough to attract frogs to your garden. Explore our Water Bowl & Patio Pond Plants for compact plants that suit smaller water features.

Looking after a frog-friendly pond

Thin plants regularly so they don't take over, and remove dead or decaying leaves to keep the water
clean.
Feed plants sparingly with a fish-safe, slow-release fertiliser such as Pond Plantz Time Release Fertiliser. Too much feeding encourages algae.
Test your water now and then for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, especially in a new pond.
Protect tadpoles from birds with dense planting. Use netting only if you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for frogs to find a new pond?
It depends on how many frogs live nearby. In areas with healthy frog populations they can turn up within weeks, especially after rain in the warmer months. In other areas it can take a season or more. Good planting and patience are key.

What size pond do frogs need?
Frogs aren't fussy about size. A half wine barrel or small preformed pond can work, as long as it has plenty of plants, shallow edges and cover nearby.

Do fish eat tadpoles?
Yes. All fish will eat frog eggs and tadpoles if they can. Keep fish numbers low, choose small native species, or leave fish out of a dedicated frog pond.

Can I buy frogs or move tadpoles into my pond?
No. Native frogs are protected, and moving frogs or spawn can spread disease. Build the habitat and let local frogs find it.

What are the best native pond plants for frogs?
Frog Grass, Knobby Club Rush, Running Marsh Flower, Hairy Nardoo, Swamp Goodenia, Brahmi and Upright Water Milfoil are all Australian natives that give frogs great cover and habitat.

Will a frog pond breed mosquitoes?
A healthy, well-planted pond with gently moving water and frogs and other wildlife is far less likely to become a problem. See our guide to mosquito-proofing your garden pond for more tips.

More frog guides

Ready to create your frog haven? Shop our full range of frog-friendly pond plants. Every plant comes with its own floating pond ring, so you can add it to your pond in seconds.

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