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Perennial | Edible | Mauve Flowers | Shallow Water Plant

Water Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is a distinctive South African native that has become a popular addition to the world of pond plants. With its attractive light green to grey, strappy foliage and delicate mauve flowers, it brings a unique combination of ornamental appeal and edible qualities to the water garden.

Growing to approximately 30cm tall, Water Garlic is ideally suited to shallow water, where the water level reaches around the base of the plant without covering the crown.

It can also be grown in the floating pond plant ring included with our pond plants, making it an easy way to introduce this unusual edible plant to your pond.

Why Grow Water Garlic in Your Pond?

Water Garlic is a great choice when you want to add something a little different to your pond planting.

Its upright, strappy foliage provides a contrasting texture to broad-leaved and spreading pond plants, while its small mauve flowers add a subtle splash of colour.

Being edible makes Water Garlic particularly interesting for gardeners who enjoy combining ornamental and edible plants in the same garden.

Its compact size also makes it suitable for smaller ponds, water bowls and shallow pond margins.

Water Garlic Pond Plant Features

• Botanical name: Tulbaghia violacea
• Common name: Water Garlic
• Plant type: Perennial
• Origin: South Africa
• Position: Full sun
• Flowers: Small mauve flowers
• Flowering period: Summer
• Height: Approximately 30cm
• Water depth: Approximately 1cm
• Foliage: Light green to grey, strappy foliage
• Oxygenator: No
• Edible: Yes
• Growing method: Shallow water or floating pond plant ring
• Propagation: Division
• Best suited to: Shallow pond margins, water bowls and floating pond plant rings

Growing Water Garlic

Water Garlic is a relatively easy-care perennial when grown in the right conditions.

It prefers full sun and shallow water, with the water level kept around the base of the plant rather than covering the crown.

This makes it particularly useful for shallow pond margins and water gardens where the plant can sit with its roots and lower growing area consistently moist.

The floating pond plant ring is another excellent way to grow Water Garlic. It allows the plant to sit at the surface of the pond while keeping its foliage above the water.

Position

Water Garlic performs best in full sun.

Plenty of sunlight encourages healthy foliage growth and helps promote flowering during the warmer months.

When planting directly into your pond, choose a shallow position where the water reaches approximately 1cm around the plant without covering the crown.

Water Garlic Flowers

Water Garlic produces attractive small mauve to purple flowers above its strappy foliage.

The delicate flowers provide a lovely contrast to the light green to grey leaves and add colour to the pond during the warmer growing season.

The flowers can also be used as an edible garnish or infused into vinegar or oils to add a subtle garlic flavour.

An Edible Pond Plant

One of the most interesting features of Water Garlic is that it is edible.

The leaves can be chopped and used in:

• Salads
• Soups
• Other dishes where a mild garlic flavour is desired

The flowers can also be used in the kitchen. Try them:

• As an edible garnish
• Added to salads
• Infused into vinegar
• Infused into oils to create a subtle garlic flavour

Important: If you intend to eat any part of the plant, make sure it has been grown specifically for edible use and has not been treated with aquatic chemicals, pesticides or fertilisers unsuitable for edible plants.

Propagating Water Garlic

Water Garlic can be easily propagated through division.

Established clumps can be divided annually to encourage vigorous growth and maintain healthy plants.

Division is best carried out when the plant is actively growing. Separate the established clump into smaller sections, ensuring each division has healthy roots and growing points before replanting.

Regular division can also help encourage strong flowering through the summer months.

Is Water Garlic an Oxygenating Plant?

Water Garlic is not an oxygenating pond plant.

Although it grows in association with water, it should not be relied upon to provide underwater oxygenation.

For a healthy and balanced pond ecosystem, combine Water Garlic with dedicated oxygenating plants, along with flowering, marginal and habitat plants.

Planting Water Garlic in Your Water Garden

Water Garlic is ideal for:

• Shallow pond margins
• Very shallow water
• Water bowls
• Floating pond plant rings
• Full-sun water gardens
• Edible water gardens
• Adding height and texture to pond planting

When planting directly into the pond, position the plant so that the water reaches approximately 1cm around the base without covering the crown.

Alternatively, use the floating pond plant ring to allow Water Garlic to grow naturally at the water's surface.

Its strappy foliage looks particularly effective when combined with softer, spreading pond plants and broader-leaved aquatic plants.

Feeding Water Garlic

For healthy growth and flowering, Water Garlic benefits from nutrients during its active growing period.

A suitable slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablet can be added to the growing medium according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you plan to harvest the leaves or flowers for eating, only use fertilisers that are suitable for plants intended for consumption and always follow the recommended application rate.

Add an Edible Twist to Your Pond

Water Garlic is a wonderful choice for gardeners looking for an unusual pond plant that combines attractive foliage, delicate mauve flowers and edible qualities.

Its compact 30cm growth habit and preference for shallow water make it easy to incorporate into smaller ponds, water bowls and pond margins, while the included floating pond plant ring provides another simple growing option.

Add Water Garlic to your pond for attractive strappy foliage, delicate mauve flowers and an edible garlic flavour you can enjoy in the kitchen.

Edible | Variegated Foliage | Mauve Flowers | Shallow Water Plant

Variegated Water Garlic is a relatively new addition to the world of pond plants, bringing a unique combination of striking variegated foliage, delicate mauve flowers and edible leaves to the water garden.

Native to South Africa, this attractive perennial grows to approximately 30cm tall and is particularly eye-catching when planted where its foliage can be appreciated up close. From a distance, the green and white variegation can give the plant an almost silvery-white appearance.

Variegated Water Garlic enjoys a full sun position and is best grown in very shallow water, with the water level kept around the base of the plant rather than covering the crown.

It can also be grown in the floating pond plant ring included with our pond plants, making it an easy and attractive way to add this unusual plant to your water garden.

Why Grow Variegated Water Garlic in Your Pond?

If you're looking for something a little different, Variegated Water Garlic is a fantastic choice.

Its unusual foliage adds colour and texture to pond planting, while its small mauve flowers provide a delicate splash of colour during the warmer months.

Unlike many ornamental pond plants, it also has an edible component, allowing you to enjoy both its decorative qualities and its culinary uses.

Variegated Water Garlic is particularly effective when planted alongside green foliage plants, where its pale variegation creates an attractive contrast.

Variegated Water Garlic Pond Plant Features

• Plant type: Perennial
• Common name: Variegated Water Garlic
• Origin: South Africa
• Position: Full sun
• Flowers: Small mauve flowers
• Flowering: Summer
• Height: Approximately 30cm
• Water depth: Approximately 1cm
• Foliage: Green and white variegated foliage
• Oxygenator: No
• Edible: Yes
• Growing method: Shallow water or floating pond plant ring
• Propagation: Division
• Best suited to: Pond margins, shallow water and floating pond plant rings

Growing Variegated Water Garlic

Variegated Water Garlic is a relatively easy-care perennial when given the right growing conditions.

It prefers full sun and very shallow water, with the water level kept around the base of the plant. Avoid completely submerging the crown, as the plant performs best when its growing point remains above the water.

The included floating pond plant ring provides another excellent way to grow Variegated Water Garlic. The ring keeps the plant at the water's surface while allowing the roots to remain moist and the foliage to grow above the water.

Position

For the best results, position Variegated Water Garlic in full sun.

Good sunlight will encourage strong foliage growth and help promote flowering during the warmer months.

When grown in a pond, choose a shallow position where the water reaches approximately 1cm around the plant but does not cover the crown.

Variegated Foliage

The standout feature of this unusual pond plant is its green and white variegated foliage.

The leaves have such strong variegation that the plant can appear almost white when viewed from a distance, creating a striking contrast against the deeper greens of other pond plants.

Use it to brighten a pond margin or add contrast to a collection of darker-leaved aquatic plants.

Its upright growth also provides a different texture to spreading and floating pond plants.

Small Mauve Flowers

Variegated Water Garlic produces small mauve flowers, adding a subtle splash of colour to its distinctive foliage.

The flowers are particularly attractive when viewed amongst the variegated leaves and can provide additional interest through the warmer growing season.

The flowers can also be used as an edible garnish or infused into vinegar or oils to provide a delicate hint of garlic flavour.

An Edible Pond Plant

Variegated Water Garlic is an edible pond plant, offering several interesting culinary uses.

The leaves can be chopped and used in:

• Salads
• Soups
• Other dishes where a mild garlic flavour is desired

The flowers can also be used in the kitchen. Try them:

• As an edible garnish
• Added to salads
• Infused into vinegar
• Infused into oils to provide a subtle garlic flavour

Important: If you intend to eat any part of the plant, ensure it has been grown specifically for edible use and has not been treated with aquatic chemicals, pesticides or fertilisers unsuitable for edible plants.

Propagating Variegated Water Garlic

Variegated Water Garlic can be propagated through division.

Established clumps can be divided approximately once a year. Regular division can help maintain vigorous growth and encourage healthy flowering during the summer months.

When dividing, separate the established clump into smaller sections, ensuring each division has healthy roots and growing points before replanting.

Is Variegated Water Garlic an Oxygenating Plant?

Variegated Water Garlic is not an oxygenating pond plant.

Although it grows in and around water and contributes to the overall planted appearance of your pond, it should not be relied upon to provide underwater oxygenation.

For a balanced pond ecosystem, combine Variegated Water Garlic with dedicated oxygenating plants, as well as flowering, marginal and habitat plants.

Planting Variegated Water Garlic in Your Water Garden

Variegated Water Garlic is ideal for:

• Shallow pond margins
• Very shallow water
• Floating pond plant rings
• Water bowls
• Full-sun water gardens
• Adding colour and contrast to pond planting
• Edible water gardens

When planting directly into the pond, position it so that the water reaches approximately 1cm around the plant without covering the crown.

Alternatively, use the included floating pond plant ring to allow the plant to grow at the water's surface.

For a more diverse water garden, combine it with taller marginal plants, spreading plants and flowering pond plants to create different levels of height and texture.

Feeding Variegated Water Garlic

For healthy growth and flowering, Variegated Water Garlic benefits from nutrients during its active growing period.

A suitable slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablet can be added to the growing medium according to the manufacturer's instructions.

As this is an edible plant, only use fertilisers that are appropriate for plants intended for consumption if you plan to harvest the leaves or flowers.

Add Something Different to Your Pond

With its unusual variegated foliage, delicate mauve flowers and edible leaves, Variegated Water Garlic is a wonderful choice for gardeners who want to add something different and distinctive to their water garden.

Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller ponds and water bowls, while its ability to grow in a floating pond plant ring makes it particularly easy to incorporate into your pond.

Add Variegated Water Garlic to your water garden for striking foliage, delicate mauve flowers and an edible twist on traditional pond planting.

• 1 x Water celery
• 1 x Lebanese cress
• 1 x Fine-leaf water mint
• 1 x Rainbow parsley
• 1 x Water garlic
• 1 x  Variegated water garlic

 About these pond plants.

Water Celery

Perennial

Position- Full sun - part shade

Flowers - Small creamy white flowers

Submersible - To a depth of 2cm - 5cm

Foliage - Produced above the water

Origin - Australia

Grows - to 20cm W and up to 40cm H

Cover - No

Oxygenator - No

Edible - Yes

propagation:-Division

Water Celery (Berela erecta) is an excellent addition to any edible water garden. Both the leaves and stems can be eaten. It has a very strong celery flavour so it's a good addition to any green summer salad.

Lebanese Cress

Perennial

Position - Full sun  to part shade

Flowers - Yes

Submersible -To a depth of 5cm-15cm

Foliage - Produced above water

Origin - Mediterranean

Grows - to 40cm W and 20cm H

Cover - Great Surface cover when grown with a floating ring

Oxygenator - No

Edible - Yes

Lebanese Cress Aethionema Cordifolium also known as Lebanese water cress can reduce algae growth in ponds due to rapid growth and surface cover.  The leaves from this edible fern-like water plant make a tasty garnish in any salad.

Lebanese cress has many health benefits. The leaves of this pond plant are a good source of protein with vitamins A, B, C, iron, calcium, phosphorous and potassium.

Fine Leaf Water Mint

Perennial plant

Position - Part shade

Flowers - small white flower

Submersible - To a depth of 5cm

Foliage - Produced above water

Origin - Western Mediterranean

Grows - to 20cm W  and 30cm H

Cover -  Best suited to a floating ring

Oxygenator - No

Edible  - Yes

propagation- Division or runners

Fine leaf water mint Mentha cevina has many health benefits. It can be effective in relieving digestive problems such as upset stomach, bad breath (can be used as a mouthwash) and indigestion.

The leaves can be added to drinks, tea and salads to add a wonderful summer flavour. They have a strong punchy flavour and go well in Asian salads.

Like all mints, fine leaf water mint is a good source of vitamin C when served fresh. It also contains vitamin A. 

Rainbow Parsley

Perennial

Position - Full sun  to part shade

Flowers - small white flowers

Submersible - To a depth of 5cm-15cm

Foliage -  Produced above water

Origin - South East Asia

Grows - to 30cm W and 60cm H

Cover - Great Surface cover when grown with our pond plant floating ring

Oxygenator - No

Edible  - Yes

Propagation- Division

A variegated variety of water parsley. The cooler the climate the stronger the pink hue in the foliage. Rainbow water parsley adds great flavour and colour when added to salads! This pond plant rich in many vitamins, particularly vitamin K, which is needed for blood clotting and bone health. It's a great source of vitamins A and C (supports immune health).

Parsley is particularly rich in flavonoid antioxidants and vitamin C, which reduce oxidative stress in your body and may lower your risk of certain cancers.

Varigated Water Garlic

Perennial

Oxygenator:       No

Edible:                Yes

Flower:                Yes (small mauve)

Height:                30cm

Water Depth:      1cm

Position:              Full sun

Propagation:        Division

Variegated Water Garlic  Tulbaghia violacea is a native of South Africa. Variegated Water Garlic can reach 30cm in size and has variegated green foliage where the leaf colour at a distance appears white and it produces a small purple flower and is a recent addition to the world of pond plants. It enjoys a full sun position and will perform best when grown in shallow water that does not cover the crown of the plant and can be grown in the floating pond ring that is included with all our plants.

Thinning out Water garlic every season will encourage more flowers and encourage vigorous growth through the summer months.

The leaves of Variegated Water Garlic can be chopped and used in salads and soups. The flowers can be added to vinegar or oils to give a slight hint of garlic flavour. You could also choose to use the flowers as an edible as a garnish.

Perennial

Oxygenator:       No

Edible:                Yes

Flower:                Yes (small mauve)

Height:                30cm

Water Depth:      1cm

Position:              Full sun

Propagation:       Division

Like the varigated variety, Water Garlic is a fairly recent addition to the world of pond plants. It two is a native of South Africa, Water Garlic can reach 30cm in size and has a light green to grey strappy foliage, and produces a small purple flower.

It is at its best in a sunny position and likes shallow water that does not cover the crown of the plant This is why it is ideally suited to our floating pond ring that is included with all of our plants.

We have put together the best & most commonly used water plants for everyday use.
Water parsley, water mint, water celery and brahmi bacopa are all fabulous water plants that you will enjoy at hand for your culinary needs! All plants in the pack are in 7cm pots and come with a floating pond ring to keep them at the perfect water level in your pond. 

• Water Parsley, Rainbow Water Parsley and Water Celery are excellent in a salad.
• Water Mint can be added drinks or Asian salads.
• Brahmi is known as the 'Memory Herb' for its potential cognitive and medicinal benefits! Perfect for brewing tea.

Your edible starter pack includes

• 2 x Fine Leaf Water Mint (Mentha cevina)
• 1 x Water celery (Berela erecta) 
• 1 x Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri)
• 1 x Water parsley (Oenanth)e sarmentosa)
• 1 x  Rainbow Water parsley (Oeanthe Javanica)

Perennial | Yellow Flowers | Pond Margin Plant | South American Native

Water Orchid (Cypella aquatilis) is a rare and beautiful pond plant that brings an exotic touch to the water garden. Also sometimes known as Water Tulip, this petite member of the iris family produces delicate strap-like foliage and stunning yellow, orchid-like flowers during spring and summer.

Growing from a small bulb, Water Orchid is a slow-growing plant that stays relatively compact, making it an excellent choice for smaller ponds, water bowls and pond margins. Its fine green foliage rises above the water, while its striking flowers provide a beautiful seasonal display.

For the best flowering, position Water Orchid where it receives plenty of sunshine. It will tolerate part shade, but a sunny position will generally encourage more flowers.

Why Grow Water Orchid in Your Pond?

Water Orchid is a great choice if you're looking for something a little different for your pond.

Its stunning yellow flowers stand out beautifully against the surrounding greenery, while its fine, upright foliage adds texture without overwhelming the pond.

Water Orchid looks particularly impressive when planted en masse along the pond margin, creating a natural swathe of foliage and bright yellow flowers.

It also provides valuable shelter and cover for frogs, making it a beautiful plant that contributes to the habitat around your water garden.

Water Orchid Pond Plant Features

• Botanical name: Cypella aquatilis
• Common name: Water Orchid
• Also known as: Water Tulip
• Plant type: Perennial
• Origin: South America
• Position: Part shade to full sun
• Flowers: Stunning yellow orchid-like flowers
• Flowering period: Spring and summer
• Height: Approximately 15cm
• Width: Approximately 30cm
• Water depth: Up to 5cm
• Best suited to: Pond margins, shallow water and boggy areas
• Foliage: Thin, strap-like foliage growing above the water line
• Growth habit: Slow growing from a small bulb
• Cover: Provides shelter and cover for frogs

Growing Water Orchid

Water Orchid is best planted around the margins of your pond, where it can enjoy consistently moist conditions without being completely submerged.

It can tolerate shallow water to approximately 5cm deep, but prefers pond margins and boggy areas where its foliage can grow above the water line.

The plant develops from a small bulb and grows slowly, making it a good choice for adding long-term structure and interest to the pond without becoming overly vigorous.

When planting, give Water Orchid enough room to spread to approximately 30cm wide. Planting several together can create a particularly impressive display once they establish.

Position

Water Orchid will grow in part shade to full sun.

Although it is tolerant of semi-shaded positions, choose a sunny location if flowers are your priority. Good sunlight will help encourage the best flowering during spring and summer.

Its slender foliage also makes it a useful plant for adding vertical interest around the pond without creating too much shade over the water.

Water Orchid Flowers

The highlight of this unusual pond plant is undoubtedly its yellow, orchid-like flowers.

Flowers appear during spring and summer, providing a beautiful splash of colour around the pond margin. The delicate flowers are particularly effective when combined with lush green foliage and other flowering pond plants.

For the biggest visual impact, try planting Water Orchid in groups or drifts along the pond edge.

Water Orchid for Frog Habitat

A well-planted pond provides much more than just visual appeal.

Water Orchid's foliage creates shelter and cover for frogs, helping to make the pond margin a more welcoming habitat.

Combine it with other marginal and bog plants at different heights to create layers of vegetation around your pond. This provides a more natural environment while also giving your pond plenty of form and structure.

Feeding Water Orchid

For healthy growth and flowering, feed Water Orchid monthly from spring with a suitable aquatic fertiliser.

We recommend Pond Plantz Time Release Fertilizer Tablets. Insert the tablet approximately 5–10cm beneath the surface of the soil, following the manufacturer's instructions for application.

Regular feeding during the growing season can help support strong foliage and flowering.

Planting Water Orchid in Your Water Garden

Water Orchid is particularly well suited to:

• Pond margins

• Boggy garden areas

• Shallow water

• Water bowls

• Small ponds

• Natural-style ponds

• Mass plantings along pond edges

Its compact size makes it an excellent option when you want to add colour and interest without a large plant taking over the pond.

Add Water Orchid to your pond for delicate foliage, stunning yellow flowers and valuable frog habitat.

When you are unsure where to start or if you are new to the exciting world of pond plants, we have created a range of starter packs to help.

Growing edible herbs in garden ponds or even small water containers is the easiest way to grow fresh herbs and produce. This pack of 3 edible pond plants has been selected so that you can have fresh herbs to garnish meals with as well as a pond plant with a strong tradition in traditional medicine. 

This starter pack of 3 pond plants includes:

• 1 x Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)  7cm pot
• 1 x Lebanese Cress (Aethionema Cordifolium) 7cm pot
• 1 x Water parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa)  7cm pot

 To learn more about the benefits of growing and eating edible pond plants, read our article: Creating an Edible Water Garden: Tips and Tricks

Rainbow Water Parsley (Oenanthe javanica ‘Flamingo’) is a striking perennial pond plant with beautifully variegated foliage in shades of green, cream and pink. Also known as Water Celery or Japanese Water Parsley, ‘Flamingo’ is an excellent choice for adding colour and texture to the edges of ponds and water gardens.

This versatile plant can be grown in shallow water between approximately 5–15cm deep and thrives in full sun to part shade. Its upright foliage can reach around 60cm high, creating useful structure and shelter around the pond while providing good cover for frogs.

An added bonus is that Rainbow Water Parsley is edible. Its fresh leaves can be used to add flavour and colour to salads and other dishes.

Why you'll love Rainbow Water Parsley

• Stunning pink, cream and green variegated foliage
• Australian-friendly pond plant for water gardens
• Perennial and easy to grow
• Suitable for full sun to part shade
• Can grow in shallow water approximately 5–15cm deep
• Grows to approximately 60cm high
• Produces small white flowers
• Provides good cover and shelter for frogs
• Edible foliage
• Adds colour, texture and height to pond margins
• Excellent choice for wildlife-friendly water gardens

Where to grow Rainbow Water Parsley

Rainbow Water Parsley grows well in full sun to part shade and is particularly suited to the shallow margins of ponds and water gardens.

Plant it where the base of the plant can sit in approximately 5–15cm of water, or position it in a consistently moist area around the edge of the pond.

With its upright growth and colourful foliage, it works particularly well when planted amongst lower-growing pond plants to create different layers of height and texture.

Stunning variegated foliage

The standout feature of Oenanthe javanica ‘Flamingo’ is its colourful foliage. New growth can display attractive shades of pink and cream alongside green, creating a vibrant splash of colour around the pond.

The foliage provides interest even when the plant isn't flowering, making Rainbow Water Parsley a great choice for a pond where you want colour and texture throughout the growing season.

Rainbow Water Parsley for frogs

The upright foliage creates cover and shelter for frogs, making this a useful plant for wildlife-friendly ponds.

Plant Rainbow Water Parsley alongside other marginal and floating plants to create a variety of sheltered areas for frogs, fish and other pond wildlife.

An edible pond plant

Rainbow Water Parsley is also an edible water plant. The fresh leaves can be used in salads and other dishes to add distinctive flavour and colour.

Only consume plants that have been grown specifically under suitable conditions for eating, and follow appropriate food-safety practices when harvesting from a pond or water garden.

Rainbow Water Parsley Plant Information

Plant type: Perennial pond plant
Botanical name: Oenanthe javanica ‘Flamingo’
Common name: Rainbow Water Parsley
Position: Full sun to part shade
Flowers: Small white flowers
Water depth: Approximately 5–15cm
Height: Up to approximately 60cm
Width: Up to approximately 30cm
Foliage: Variegated pink, cream and green foliage above the water
Origin: South East Asia
Oxygenating: No
Edible: Yes
Best for: Pond margins, shallow water, colourful foliage, frog habitat and edible water gardens

Grow Rainbow Water Parsley in your pond

If you're looking for a pond plant that combines colourful foliage, wildlife habitat and edible leaves, Rainbow Water Parsley is an excellent choice.

Plant it in the shallow margins of your pond or water garden and combine it with flowering, floating and native pond plants for a diverse and attractive display.

Looking for more colourful pond plants? Explore our range of Pond Plants Online and discover plants for pond margins, shallow water, wildlife habitat and water gardens.

Vietnamese Water Mint is a popular edible water plant with aromatic foliage and a distinctive mildly spicy flavour, making it a fantastic addition to an edible water garden. It is particularly popular in Asian cooking, where the fresh leaves can be used to add flavour and freshness to a wide range of dishes.

As well as being useful in the kitchen, Vietnamese Water Mint is a vigorous, spreading pond plant. It can be grown in shallow water up to approximately 5cm deep and, when planted in a floating pond ring, can spread across the surface to create attractive green cover.

It tolerates part shade through to full sun, making it a versatile choice for ponds, water bowls and edible water gardens.

Why you'll love Vietnamese Water Mint

• Edible water plant
• Distinctive mildly spicy, aromatic flavour
• Popular in Asian cooking
• Vigorous, spreading growth
• Excellent surface cover when grown in a floating pond ring
• Suitable for part shade to full sun
• Can tolerate shallow water up to approximately 5cm deep
• Grows to approximately 30cm high
• Great addition to an edible water garden
• Can be grown in ponds, water bowls and containers

Where to grow Vietnamese Water Mint

Vietnamese Water Mint is adaptable and can grow in part shade through to full sun.

It can be planted in shallow water up to approximately 5cm deep, or grown in a floating pond ring where its vigorous growth can spread across the surface.

Because Vietnamese Water Mint can grow quickly and spread readily, we recommend keeping it contained in a pot or pond plant basket. This makes it much easier to control its growth and prevents it from spreading into areas where you don't want it.

Vietnamese Water Mint as a floating pond plant

When grown in a floating pond ring, Vietnamese Water Mint can develop into a lush, spreading cover plant.

Its foliage grows above the water level and creates a natural green layer across the surface. This makes it particularly useful when you want to add plenty of greenery to a pond without planting directly into the pond floor.

Regular trimming can help maintain the size and shape you want.

An edible water plant

Vietnamese Water Mint is part of our edible pond plant range. The fresh leaves have a distinctive mildly spicy flavour and are commonly used in Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian cuisine.

Use the fresh leaves as a garnish, in salads, rice-paper rolls, noodle dishes and other Asian-inspired meals.

Only consume plants that have been grown specifically under suitable conditions for eating, particularly if they have been grown in or around a pond containing treatments or other chemicals.

Vietnamese Water Mint Plant Information

Plant type: Perennial edible water plant
Common name: Vietnamese Water Mint
Botanical name: Polygonium odoratum
Origin: South East Asia
Position: Part shade to full sun
Flowers: No
Water depth: Up to approximately 5cm
Height: Up to approximately 30cm
Foliage: Grows above the water level
Oxygenating: No
Edible: Yes
Growth habit: Vigorous and spreading
Best for: Edible water gardens, floating rings, shallow water, water bowls and surface cover

Keep Vietnamese Water Mint contained

Vietnamese Water Mint is a vigorous grower, so we recommend growing it in a pot or pond plant basket.

Containing the plant makes it easier to manage its spreading growth while still allowing you to enjoy its attractive foliage and harvest fresh leaves for the kitchen.

Learn more about edible and traditional water plants

Vietnamese Water Mint is one of the interesting edible plants that can be incorporated into a water garden.

Learn more in our guide to Pond Plants Used in Traditional Medicine and as Herbal Remedies to Grow in Your Water Garden.

Looking for more edible pond plants? Explore our range of Pond Plants Online and discover edible, native, flowering, floating and marginal plants for your water garden.

Upright Water Milfoil is an Australian native perennial pond plant that combines attractive growth with important benefits for a healthy water garden. Growing to approximately 5–20cm high and 15–60cm wide, it is well suited to shallow areas of the pond and can grow in both part shade and full sun.

This versatile aquatic plant can produce foliage above and below the water surface and acts as an oxygenating pond plant. Its dense growth provides valuable shelter and cover for frogs, newly hatched fish and tadpoles, while its nutrient uptake can help support a balanced pond ecosystem.

Why you'll love Upright Water Milfoil

• Australian native pond plant
• Easy-to-grow perennial
• Suitable for part shade through to full sun
• Produces attractive yellow flowers
• Can grow above and below the water surface
• Suitable for water up to approximately 20cm deep
• Acts as an oxygenating pond plant
• Provides shelter and cover for frogs, fish and tadpoles
• Helps absorb nutrients from pond water
• Excellent choice for wildlife-friendly ponds
• Ideal for shallow areas of the water garden

Where to grow Upright Water Milfoil

Upright Water Milfoil grows well in part shade through to full sun and can be planted in water up to approximately 20cm deep.

Its foliage can grow both below the water surface and above the water line, making it a versatile choice for shallow pond areas and water gardens where you want to provide both plant cover and habitat for pond life.

A great pond plant for wildlife

If you're creating a pond that encourages frogs and other aquatic wildlife, Upright Water Milfoil is an excellent choice.

Its growth provides shelter and cover for frogs, newly hatched fish and tadpoles, giving young pond inhabitants somewhere to hide and seek protection.

The dense foliage can also add structure and natural habitat to your pond while helping create a more established-looking water garden.

Upright Water Milfoil and pond water quality

Upright Water Milfoil is also useful for absorbing nutrients from pond water as it grows. Managing excess nutrients is an important part of maintaining a healthy pond, as high nutrient levels can encourage unwanted algae growth.

Combined with its ability to oxygenate the water and provide habitat, this makes Upright Water Milfoil a particularly useful multi-purpose pond plant.

Upright Water Milfoil Plant Information

Plant type: Perennial aquatic pond plant
Origin: Australia
Position: Part shade to full sun
Flowers: Yellow
Water depth: Up to approximately 20cm
Height: Approximately 5–20cm
Width: Approximately 15–60cm
Foliage: Can grow above and below the water line
Oxygenating: Yes
Best for: Wildlife ponds, shallow water, frog habitat, fish and tadpole cover and nutrient uptake

Add Upright Water Milfoil to your pond

Our pond plants are supplied ready to make adding aquatic plants to your water garden simple. Position Upright Water Milfoil in a suitable shallow area of your pond and allow it to establish and spread.

For a healthier, more wildlife-friendly pond, combine it with a selection of flowering, floating, oxygenating and habitat pond plants.

Looking for more pond plants? Explore our range of Pond Plants Online and create a diverse water garden that looks beautiful while providing habitat for pond life.

Water Hyssop (Bacopa caroliniana) Pond Plant

Water Hyssop (Bacopa caroliniana) is a versatile perennial pond plant that can grow in part shade through to full sun. Also known as Lemon Hyssop, it produces attractive green foliage and small blue flowers with a lemon-like scent when the leaves are crushed.

One of the reasons Water Hyssop is such a useful addition to a water garden is its ability to grow in different positions. It can be planted in shallow water, grown with its foliage above the surface or allowed to grow submerged, where it can act as an oxygenating pond plant.

When grown in a floating pond ring, Water Hyssop can trail its roots and foliage into the water, creating valuable cover and shelter for fish and tadpoles.

Why you'll love Water Hyssop

• Easy-to-grow perennial pond plant
• Also known as Lemon Hyssop
• Produces delicate small blue flowers
• Lemon-scented foliage when crushed
• Suitable for part shade through to full sun
• Can grow above and below the water surface
• Can be planted in water up to approximately 20cm deep
• Acts as an oxygenating plant when fully submerged
• Excellent for creating cover and habitat for fish and tadpoles
• Helps absorb nutrients from pond water
• Can be grown in a floating pond ring for an attractive trailing effect

Where to grow Water Hyssop

Water Hyssop is particularly versatile, making it suitable for several areas of the water garden. It can be grown in shallow water up to approximately 20cm deep, with foliage either above or below the water surface.

For a beautiful natural effect, grow Water Hyssop in a floating pond ring. The plant can trail across the surface while its roots and foliage extend into the water, providing shelter and cover for pond life.

Water Hyssop is also suitable for boggy areas and shallow pond margins.

Water Hyssop as an oxygenating pond plant

When Water Hyssop is grown completely submerged, it can contribute to oxygenation within the pond. Its ability to grow both submerged and above the water makes it a useful choice when you're looking for a versatile pond plant with multiple roles.

Water Hyssop and pond water quality

Water Hyssop can help absorb nutrients from pond water as it grows. Nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates are naturally produced within a pond and can contribute to excessive algae growth when present in high concentrations.

Adding a variety of healthy aquatic plants is one part of maintaining a balanced pond ecosystem. Water Hyssop can be particularly useful because it combines nutrient uptake with oxygenation, habitat and attractive foliage.

Water Hyssop flowers

The small blue flowers are one of the easiest ways to identify Water Hyssop. The foliage also has a distinctive lemon-like scent when crushed, which is why the plant is sometimes called Lemon Hyssop.

Water Hyssop Plant Information

Plant type: Perennial aquatic pond plant
Botanical name: Bacopa caroliniana
Common names: Water Hyssop, Lemon Hyssop
Origin: USA
Position: Part shade to full sun
Flowers: Small blue flowers
Water depth: Up to approximately 20cm
Foliage: Can grow above and below water
Oxygenating: Yes, when grown submerged
Growth habit: Spreading/trailing
Best for: Pond cover, fish and tadpole habitat, shallow water, boggy areas and oxygenation

Grow Water Hyssop in a floating pond ring

Our floating pond rings make it easy to add Water Hyssop to your pond without complicated planting. Simply place the plant into the ring and position it on the water surface.

As it grows, the foliage can spread and trail while the roots extend into the pond, creating a natural hiding place for fish and tadpoles.

Looking for more plants for your pond? Browse our full range of Pond Plants Online and find flowering, floating, oxygenating, native and habitat plants for your water garden.

Chocolate Water Mint is a hardy, perennial edible herb that brings delicious fragrance, attractive foliage and a hint of chocolatey character to the water garden. A cultivar of peppermint with citrus mint heritage, this unusual mint is named for its subtle chocolate aroma and flavour.

Perfect for an edible water garden, Chocolate Water Mint can be grown in shallow water up to approximately 2cm deep and thrives in full sun to part shade. It can also be grown in a pot or pond plant basket, making it easier to control its vigorous mint growth.

Growing to approximately 30–60cm, it provides plenty of lush green foliage around the pond and produces small lavender flowers in mid to late summer.

Why you'll love Chocolate Water Mint

• Unusual chocolate-scented mint
• Hardy perennial herb
• Edible and useful in the kitchen
• Great addition to an edible water garden
• Suitable for full sun to part shade
• Can grow in shallow water up to approximately 2cm deep
• Grows approximately 30–60cm high
• Produces small lavender flowers in mid to late summer
• Excellent for cooking, salads and herbal tea
• Attractive and fragrant pond-edge plant

Where to grow Chocolate Water Mint

Chocolate Water Mint is an adaptable plant that grows well in full sun to part shade.

In your water garden, it can be planted in very shallow water up to approximately 2cm deep, or positioned around the damp margins of the pond.

Because mint can spread vigorously, we recommend growing Chocolate Water Mint in a pot or pond plant basket. This keeps the roots contained and makes it easier to manage the plant as it establishes.

What does Chocolate Water Mint taste like?

Despite its name, Chocolate Water Mint doesn't taste like a chocolate bar! Its flavour is primarily minty, with a subtle chocolate-like aroma and overtones that make it an interesting addition to the herb garden.

The chocolate character can be more noticeable for some people than others, but its unusual fragrance makes this variety well worth growing.

An edible pond plant

Chocolate Water Mint is a versatile herb that can be harvested for use in the kitchen.

Fresh leaves can be added to:

• Salads
• Desserts
• Drinks
• Fruit dishes
• Garnishes
• Homemade herbal teas

The leaves can also be enjoyed as a refreshing mint tea.

Learn more about different mint varieties and the benefits of mint tea in our guide: Mint Tea: Health Benefits & Best Varieties to Grow.

Chocolate Water Mint Plant Information

Plant type: Perennial herb
Botanical name: Mentha × piperita f. citrata ‘Chocolate’
Common name: Chocolate Water Mint
Origin: Europe and the Middle East
Position: Full sun to part shade
Flowers: Small lavender flowers in mid to late summer
Water depth: Up to approximately 2cm
Mature size: Approximately 30–60cm
Edible: Yes
Oxygenating: No
Growth habit: Spreading herbaceous perennial
Best for: Edible water gardens, pond margins, shallow water, water bowls and herb gardens

Grow Chocolate Water Mint in your pond

Chocolate Water Mint is a great way to combine water gardening with edible gardening. Its fragrant foliage brings another sensory element to the pond, while its shallow-water tolerance makes it easy to incorporate into the margins of your water garden.

For the best control, plant it in a pond plant basket or pot rather than allowing it to spread unchecked.

Looking for more edible pond plants? Explore our range of Pond Plants Online and discover edible, native, flowering, floating and marginal plants for your water garden.

Perennial | Australian Native | Edible | Pond Margin Plant

Water Celery (Berela erecta) is a versatile Australian native pond plant that is perfect for combining your water garden with an edible garden. With celery-flavoured stems, delicate foliage and small creamy white flowers, it makes a useful and attractive addition to ponds, water bowls and shallow water areas.

Growing naturally in moist and wet environments, Water Celery is a perennial plant that can be grown in full sun through to part shade. Its foliage grows above the water line, while the plant can tolerate shallow water between approximately 2–5cm deep.

If you love the idea of growing plants that are both beautiful and useful, Water Celery is a great choice. The edible stems have a fresh celery flavour and can be enjoyed as a tasty addition to summer salads.

Why Grow Water Celery in Your Pond?

Water Celery is a fantastic option for an edible water garden, allowing you to make use of the moist conditions around your pond to grow something you can enjoy in the kitchen.

Its celery-flavoured stems provide a fresh, crisp addition to salads, while its small creamy white flowers add a subtle touch of colour around the pond margin.

Unlike oxygenating pond plants, Water Celery is grown primarily for its edible foliage, attractive growth and ability to thrive in shallow water and moist conditions.

Water Celery Pond Plant Features

• Botanical name: Berela erecta
• Common name: Water Celery
• Plant type: Perennial
• Origin: Australia
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Flowers: Small creamy white flowers
• Water depth: Approximately 2–5cm
• Foliage: Grows above the water line
• Height: Up to approximately 40cm
• Width: Up to approximately 20cm
• Edible: Yes
• Oxygenator: No
• Cover: No
• Best suited to: Pond margins, shallow water and edible water gardens

Growing Water Celery

Water Celery is an easy way to introduce an edible plant into your pond environment. It prefers consistently moist conditions and can tolerate shallow water, making it particularly well suited to the edges of ponds and water bowls.

Plant it where the roots can remain moist while the foliage grows above the surface. It can tolerate water depths of approximately 2–5cm.

Water Celery grows to around 40cm high and approximately 20cm wide, making it useful for adding some height and structure to the pond margin without taking up a large amount of space.

Position

Water Celery grows well in full sun to part shade.

A sunny position will provide good growing conditions, while part shade can also be suitable, particularly in warmer locations.

Its foliage grows above the water, making it an attractive option for creating a transition between the pond and surrounding garden.

An Edible Pond Plant

One of the great features of Water Celery is that it is edible.

The stems have a delicious celery flavour and can be used as a fresh addition to summer salads and other dishes.

Water Celery is also naturally rich in nutrients including vitamins A, C and K and folate, making it an interesting addition to an edible water garden.

As with any edible plant, only consume plants that have been grown in suitable conditions and have not been treated with products unsuitable for edible plants.

Water Celery Flowers

Water Celery produces small creamy white flowers that add a delicate touch to the pond margin.

The flowers contrast nicely with the green foliage and can help create a softer, more natural appearance around the edge of your pond.

For an edible pond garden with plenty of variety, combine Water Celery with other edible and flowering pond plants.

Is Water Celery an Oxygenating Plant?

No. Water Celery is not an oxygenating pond plant.

If you're creating a balanced pond planting scheme, combine Water Celery with dedicated oxygenating plants, as well as marginal and flowering plants.

A simple way to plan your pond planting is to follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 oxygenating plants, 2 marginal plants and 1 flowering plant per square metre.

Planting Water Celery in Your Water Garden

Water Celery is ideal for:

• Pond margins
• Shallow water
• Water bowls
• Boggy areas
• Edible water gardens
• Natural-style ponds
• Small ponds and container water gardens

Its combination of edible stems, attractive foliage and delicate flowers makes it a particularly useful plant for anyone wanting to create a water garden that is both beautiful and productive.

Feeding Water Celery

For healthy growth, Water Celery benefits from a nutrient-rich growing environment.

A suitable slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablet can be added during the growing season. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rate and frequency.

Add Water Celery to your pond for fresh celery-flavoured stems, delicate white flowers and a productive edible water garden.

Perennial | Edible | Surface Cover | Pond Plant

Water Parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa) is a beautiful and useful edible pond plant with delicate foliage, small white flowers and a naturally spreading growth habit. It is an excellent choice for adding greenery and surface cover to ponds, water bowls and water gardens.

When grown in our floating pond plant ring, Water Parsley spreads across the water's surface, creating a lush green mat. This makes it particularly useful for providing cover and softening the appearance of open areas of water.

Water Parsley grows well in full sun to part shade and can tolerate shallow water between approximately 5–15cm deep. Its foliage grows above the water line, creating a lovely natural transition between the pond and surrounding garden.

Why Grow Water Parsley in Your Pond?

Water Parsley is a great choice for anyone wanting to combine edible plants with a beautiful water garden.

Its delicate foliage and small white flowers add texture and interest, while its spreading habit can provide excellent surface cover when grown in a floating pond plant ring.

The foliage can also be harvested for use in the kitchen. Water Parsley has a parsley-like flavour and can be used fresh in salads, as a garnish or to make herbal tea.

Water Parsley Pond Plant Features

• Botanical name: Oenanthe sarmentosa
• Common name: Water Parsley
• Plant type: Perennial
• Origin: California and Alaska
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Flowers: Small white flowers
• Water depth: Approximately 5–15cm
• Foliage: Grows above the water line
• Height: Up to approximately 20cm
• Width: Up to approximately 40cm
• Edible: Yes
• Oxygenator: No
• Cover: Excellent surface cover when grown in a floating pond plant ring
• Best suited to: Ponds, water bowls, shallow water and edible water gardens

Growing Water Parsley

Water Parsley is a spreading pond plant that enjoys consistently moist conditions and can be grown in shallow water.

For an easy way to add it to your pond, place it into a floating pond plant ring. As it grows, the plant can spread out across the surface, creating an attractive mat of foliage.

This spreading growth habit makes Water Parsley particularly useful for covering sections of open water and creating a more natural-looking pond environment.

It can also be planted around the pond margin or in shallow water, where its foliage will grow above the surface.

Position

Water Parsley grows well in full sun to part shade.

A sunny position will encourage strong growth, while part shade is also suitable. When grown in a floating pond plant ring, make sure the plant has access to plenty of light so it can develop healthy, dense foliage.

Water Parsley as Surface Cover

One of the most useful features of Water Parsley is its ability to provide surface cover.

When grown in a floating pond plant ring, its stems spread across the water and create a lush layer of foliage. This is a great way to break up large areas of open water and add another layer of planting to your pond.

Surface-covering plants can also help create a more natural and sheltered environment for pond life.

For the best result, combine Water Parsley with taller marginal plants and flowering pond plants to create different levels of planting around your water garden.

An Edible Pond Plant

Water Parsley is an edible pond plant and can be used in the kitchen in a similar way to other leafy herbs.

The fresh leaves can be used in salads, as a garnish or added to dishes for extra flavour. The leaves can also be used fresh or dried to make a herbal tea.

Water Parsley contains naturally occurring vitamins, antioxidants and plant compounds, making it an interesting addition to an edible water garden.

As with any edible plant, only consume plants that have been grown in suitable conditions and have not been treated with products unsuitable for edible plants.

Water Parsley Flowers

Water Parsley produces small white flowers that add a delicate touch to the foliage.

The flowers are relatively subtle, allowing the attractive green foliage and spreading habit of the plant to remain the main feature.

For a more colourful display, combine Water Parsley with flowering pond plants to create contrast and additional seasonal interest.

Is Water Parsley an Oxygenating Plant?

No. Water Parsley is not an oxygenating pond plant.

It is primarily useful for its edible foliage, spreading growth habit and ability to provide surface cover.

For a balanced pond planting scheme, combine Water Parsley with dedicated oxygenating plants, marginal plants and flowering pond plants.

A simple way to plan your pond planting is to follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 oxygenating plants, 2 marginal plants and 1 flowering plant per square metre.

Planting Water Parsley in Your Water Garden

Water Parsley is ideal for:

• Pond margins
• Shallow water
• Floating pond plant rings
• Water bowls
• Edible water gardens
• Natural-style ponds
• Small ponds and container water gardens

Its spreading habit makes it particularly useful where you want to add greenery across the surface of your pond without relying solely on floating plants.

Feeding Water Parsley

For healthy, vigorous growth, Water Parsley benefits from a nutrient-rich growing environment.

A suitable slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablet can be added during the growing season. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rate and frequency.

Add Water Parsley to your pond for delicate foliage, edible leaves, small white flowers and beautiful natural surface cover.

Add delicate texture and natural beauty to your pond with Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis), a versatile aquatic plant that can be grown submerged or allowed to gently float across your pond's surface. Using the included floating pond ring, you can add this beautiful oxygenating plant to your pond instantly, creating natural shade, shelter and movement.

Botanical Name: Hygrophila difformis
Common Name: Water Wisteria
Plant Type: Oxygenating aquatic plant
Position: Full sun to part shade
Planting Depth: Submerged to just above the pot rim
Growth Habit: Creeping, spreading stems with fine divided foliage
Stem Length: Approximately 40–80cm
Flowers: Small purplish-blue flowers
Suitable For: Ponds, water gardens and aquatic habitats

While Water Wisteria is widely recognised as a popular aquarium plant, when grown as a pond plant it develops a different form, producing soft, spreading stems with finely divided leaves that create attractive rosettes across the water's surface. Under the right conditions, it can produce delicate purplish-blue flowers from the leaf axils, adding extra seasonal interest.

Growing as an oxygenating aquatic plant, Water Wisteria helps contribute to a healthy pond ecosystem while providing valuable cover and shelter for fish and aquatic wildlife. Its graceful growth makes it an excellent choice for ponds where you want a softer, more natural look.

Why You'll Love Water Wisteria

• Attractive oxygenating pond plant.

• Fine, fern-like divided leaves create beautiful texture.
• Can develop a creeping, spreading growth habit.
• Produces delicate purplish-blue flowers when grown in pond conditions.
• Provides shelter and cover for fish.
• Helps support a balanced pond environment.
• Fast-growing and easy to propagate.
• Adds a natural, meadow-like feel to ponds and water gardens.

Growth & Planting Information

Water Wisteria can be planted submerged with water levels just above the rim of the pot. As it establishes, stems can spread and creep, with growth reaching approximately 40–80cm in length.

In pond conditions, it may produce floating or trailing stems with finely divided foliage that forms attractive rosette-like clusters.

For best growth:

• Position in full sun to part shade.
• Keep consistently submerged.
• Allow room for spreading growth.
• Trim regularly if required to maintain shape.

Perfect for Instant Pond Transformation

Water Wisteria is one of the easiest ways to quickly add greenery and movement to your pond.

This versatile aquatic plant loves to grow floating in the pond using the floating pond plant ring included with all We Know Water Gardens pond plant orders. Simply place the plant ring on the surface of your pond, add your Water Wisteria, and enjoy an instant floating garden feature.

Growing freely across the water's surface, the fine divided foliage creates a beautiful natural display while providing valuable shade and shelter for fish and aquatic wildlife.

The floating pond ring allows you to:

• Add plants to your pond instantly without planting into pots or soil.
• Create floating habitat for fish and frogs.
• Add natural shade to help keep water cooler.
• Easily move plants around your pond to find the perfect position.
• Create a more balanced and natural-looking water garden.

Water Wisteria in Ponds vs Aquariums

Water Wisteria is often sold as an aquarium plant, but its appearance can vary significantly depending on where it is grown.

In aquariums:

• Usually grows as an upright submerged stem plant.
• Leaves often appear larger and more structured.

In ponds:

• Can develop softer creeping growth.
• Produces fine divided leaves and floating rosettes.
• May produce small purplish-blue flowers.

This makes pond-grown Water Wisteria a unique addition for customers looking for something a little different.

Perfect For

• Wildlife ponds
• Natural ponds
• Fish ponds
• Water gardens
• Aquatic plant collections
• Pond edges and shallow areas

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Water Wisteria an oxygenating pond plant?

Yes. Water Wisteria is considered an oxygenating aquatic plant because its submerged foliage helps contribute oxygen to the water and provides habitat for aquatic life.

Can Water Wisteria float in a pond?

Yes. In pond conditions, Water Wisteria can develop creeping stems and may grow towards the surface, creating attractive floating foliage.

How big does Water Wisteria grow?

Stems can grow approximately 40–80cm long, depending on growing conditions, sunlight and available nutrients.

Does Water Wisteria flower?

Yes. When grown as a pond plant, Water Wisteria can produce small purplish-blue flowers from the leaf axils.

Is Water Wisteria the same as the aquarium plant?

Yes, it is the same species (Hygrophila difformis), however the growth form can differ between aquarium and pond environments.

The Native Starter Pack 2 Contains the following 7cm plants with rings 

2 x River Buttercup 

1 x Upright milfoil

1 x Hairy nardoo

1 x Swamp goodenia

1 x Brahmi

 About the Plants

River Buttercup (Ranunculus Inundatus)

Perenial plant

Position: Full sun to part shade

Flower: yes small yellow  flowers

Submersible: To a depth of 2cm. It prefers boggy areas or to float in the pond plant ring

Origin: Australia

Cover: for frogs, fish and polinators

Oxygenator: No

Size: 30cm

Edible: No

A native Australian plant with with yellow flowers that will trail around the margins of your pond.  It is well-suited to boggy areas and provides habitat and food for aquatic life.

Upright Milfoil

Perennial

Height:             5cm - 20cm

Width:              15cm -60cm

Position:           Part shade (shade-tolerant) to full sun

Flowers:            yellow

Submersible:     To a depth of 20cm

Foliage:             Can Produce foliage above the water line and below the water line

Origin:              Australia

Cover:               Provides shelter and cover for frogs

Oxygenator:     Yes

Propagation:    runners & division

Milfoil is a fast-growing pond plant and this makes it ideal for natural algae control. It does this by competing with the algae for nutrients. Less nutrient means less algae and clear water.  Further the little fine leaves of Milfoil help to captcha small particles that float in the water further enhancing the clarity of the water in the pond.

Upright Milfoil is an attractive water plant and a good addition to any pond or water garden. Milfoil can be submerged to a depth of 20cm where it will act as an oxygenator and provides cover for fish and tadpoles. It will spread out over the surface of the pond and is used by frogs to spawn on.

Milfoil can be easily propagated and regular pruning will assist in keeping it tidy and neat.

Hairy Nardoo 

Perennial

Position: Full sun to part shade

Flowers: No

Edible: Yes, node or bulb

Submersible: Yes to a depth of 30cm

Foliage: Produces furry four-leaved foliage that floats on the surface of the water

Origin: Native to Australia

Cover: Great surface cover for fish

Oxygenator: No

Size: 30cm diameter

Hairy Nardoo Marsilea Drummondii is a classic Australian native water plant. Hairy Nardoo produces a clover-like soft furry leaf that closes at night or on overcast days. Leaves when fully submersed will float on the surface of the water or it will produce a firm upright stem when grown in shallow water. Near the base of the stem, it produces a small edible node.

Swamp Goodenia

Position:           Part shade (shade-tolerant) to full sun

 Flowers:            Yes (Bright Yellow Flowers)

 Submersible:    To a depth of 10cm

 Foliage:             Grows like a Mat on the surface

 Origin:              Native to Australia

 Cover:              Great mat cover plant when grown with a floating ring

 Oxygenator:     No

The Swamp Goodenia or Goodenia humilis (humilis; meaning low growing) is a carpeting Australian native plant that thrives in continuously moist or boggy areas. Due to this, it thrives in our floating ring. Swamp Goodenia consists of green soft hairy leaves and in warmer periods of the year, beautiful clusters of bright yellow flowers flourish providing a gorgeous splash of yellow to any pond.

A great pond plant to provide cover and long-term protection for fish, tadpoles and frogs.

Brahmi

Position:           Part shade (shade-tolerant) to full sun

Flowers:            Small white flowers

Submersible:    To a depth of 20cm

Foliage:             Can produce foliage both above and below water level

Origin:              Native to the wetlands of southern and Eastern India, Australia, Europe,                            Africa, Asia, and North and South America

Cover:              Great cover plant when grown with a floating ring

Oxygenator:     Yes (when grown submersed)

Propagation     Division

Every pond or water garden should have Brahmi in it as it is plant that has so many uses.  Brahmi has small succulent-like green leaves and produces a pale white flower.

It can be grown submersed to a depth of 20cm where it will act as an oxygenator in the pond. It will also mat out over the top of the pond and provide cover and shelter for fish and tadpoles. Aside from its uses for fish and creatures that inhabit ponds and water gardens, it also can be used for its medicinal properties as well.

Brahmi is known as the 'Memory Herb' for its potential cognitive and medicinal benefits! and has been used in India for thousands of years as a remedy for improving memory and assisting with mental health conditions including anxiety. It is also incorporated as part of Chinese medicine, assisting with warming the kidneys and as a brain tonic.

As we age we are more prone diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson and taking Brahmi may assist with delaying these from occurring. The leaves on their own have a somewhat bitter taste but can be mixed with other aquatic edible plants like water mint with added honey and taken as tea to improve the flavour.

Fine Leaf Water Mint (Mentha cervina) is a delicate and aromatic edible water plant that brings fresh mint fragrance and flavour to your pond or water garden. With its fine, narrow foliage and compact growth habit, it is an excellent choice for smaller ponds, water bowls and floating pond rings.

Native to the Western Mediterranean, Fine Leaf Water Mint prefers part shade and can grow in shallow water up to approximately 5cm deep. It produces small white flowers and grows to around 30cm high and 20cm wide.

As an edible mint, the fresh leaves can be used to add a refreshing summer flavour to drinks and salads, making it a lovely addition to an edible water garden.

Why you'll love Fine Leaf Water Mint

• Edible water plant
• Fresh, aromatic mint flavour
• Fine, narrow green foliage
• Compact growth habit
• Ideal for smaller ponds and water bowls
• Well suited to a floating pond ring
• Suitable for part shade
• Can grow in shallow water up to approximately 5cm deep
• Produces small white flowers
• Great for adding fresh flavour to summer drinks and salads

Where to grow Fine Leaf Water Mint

Fine Leaf Water Mint prefers part shade, making it a useful choice for areas of the pond that don't receive full sun all day.

It can be planted in shallow water up to approximately 5cm deep, or grown in one of our floating pond rings where its foliage can grow above the surface.

With a mature size of approximately 30cm high and 20cm wide, it is a good option when you want an edible pond plant without a large footprint.

Fine Leaf Water Mint in a floating pond ring

Fine Leaf Water Mint is particularly well suited to growing in a floating pond ring.

The ring keeps the plant stable at the appropriate depth while allowing the foliage to grow naturally above the water. It also makes it easier to position the plant where you want it and manage its growth.

An edible water plant

Fine Leaf Water Mint is a useful addition to an edible water garden. The aromatic leaves can be harvested and added to summer drinks, salads and other dishes where a fresh mint flavour is wanted.

Try adding fresh leaves to cold water, sparkling water or homemade iced drinks for a refreshing summer flavour.

Only consume plants that have been grown specifically for eating and have not been exposed to pond treatments or other chemicals that are unsuitable for food crops.

Fine Leaf Water Mint Plant Information

Plant type: Perennial edible water plant
Botanical name: Mentha cervina
Common name: Fine Leaf Water Mint
Origin: Western Mediterranean
Position: Part shade
Flowers: Small white flowers
Water depth: Up to approximately 5cm
Height: Up to approximately 30cm
Width: Up to approximately 20cm
Foliage: Grows above the water
Oxygenating: No
Edible: Yes
Best for: Floating pond rings, water bowls, edible water gardens and shallow water

Grow Fine Leaf Water Mint in your water garden

If you're looking for a compact edible pond plant, Fine Leaf Water Mint is a great choice. Its fine foliage, small white flowers and fresh mint flavour make it both attractive and useful.

Looking for more edible pond plants? Explore our range of Pond Plants Online

The best of 6! 

When adding plants,to your pond or water garden, we apply the following formula per square meter to maintain balance and quality in the water.

Add 3 Oxygenating plants

• 2 x Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri), 1 x Water Hyssop (Bacopa caroliniana).

Oxygenators reduce algae and provide essential oxygen for fish. 

Add 2 Marginal plants

• 2 x Water Iris (Sextet).

Marginal plants provide habitat for frogs!

Add 1 Floating plant

• 1 x Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia aurea).

Floating plants provide cover and protection for fish.

Perennial | Edible | Low Growing | Spreading

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a fascinating low-growing perennial herb that makes a beautiful addition to ponds, water bowls and boggy areas. Its distinctive round, kidney-shaped leaves and spreading growth habit create a lush green carpet around the water's edge or across the surface of your pond.

Best of all, Gotu Kola can be grown in our floating pond plant ring, where its stems spread out across the water and develop roots at the nodes. Over time, this creates a dense, natural-looking mat of foliage that provides cover around the pond.

Why Grow Gotu Kola in Your Pond?

Gotu Kola is an excellent choice when you're looking for a pond plant that provides low-growing cover and a lush, natural appearance.

Its trailing stems spread readily, with roots forming at the nodes as they come into contact with water. When grown in a floating pond plant ring, this allows the plant to gradually spread across the water's surface, creating an attractive green mat.

The rounded, fan or kidney-shaped leaves add a different texture to your water garden and work particularly well alongside taller marginal pond plants.

Gotu Kola is also an edible herb, making it an interesting addition to an edible water garden.

Gotu Kola Pond Plant Features

• Botanical name: Centella asiatica
• Common name: Gotu Kola
• Plant type: Perennial herbaceous plant
• Height: Approximately 15–30cm
• Position: Part shade to full sun
• Water depth: Up to approximately 3cm
• Growth habit: Low growing and spreading
• Edible: Yes
• Oxygenator: No
• Cover: Excellent low-growing cover when allowed to spread
• Best suited to: Pond margins, shallow water, boggy areas and floating pond plant rings

Growing Gotu Kola in Your Pond

Gotu Kola naturally enjoys moist and wet environments, making it well suited to life around your pond.

For the easiest way to add it to your water garden, place the plant into a floating pond plant ring. The ring keeps the plant positioned at the ideal level while allowing the stems to spread naturally across the water.

As it grows, Gotu Kola sends out runners and develops roots from the nodes along the stems. This spreading habit allows it to form a dense mat of foliage, providing attractive cover on and around the water.

It can also be planted in very shallow water up to approximately 3cm deep or in consistently moist, boggy areas around the pond.

Position

Gotu Kola will grow in part shade through to full sun.

A position with some protection from the hottest afternoon sun can help maintain lush foliage, particularly in warmer conditions, while plants grown in full sun should have consistent access to moisture.

Is Gotu Kola an Oxygenating Plant?

No. Gotu Kola is not an oxygenating pond plant.

Instead, its value comes from its attractive foliage, spreading growth habit and ability to provide low-growing cover around the pond.

For a balanced water garden, combine Gotu Kola with dedicated oxygenating plants as well as taller marginal and flowering pond plants.

An Edible Pond Plant

Gotu Kola has a long history of use as an edible herb and in traditional Asian cuisine. The leaves are sometimes eaten fresh in salads or used as a leafy green.

The flavour is generally mild with a slightly bitter taste.

While Gotu Kola has also been traditionally used for a variety of purposes, this product is supplied as an ornamental and edible pond plant. Anyone considering Gotu Kola for medicinal use should seek appropriate professional advice, particularly if taking medication or managing an existing health condition.

Create a Natural Pond Habitat

Allowing Gotu Kola to spread across the surface creates a dense layer of vegetation that can provide shelter and cover around your pond.

Its low-growing habit makes it particularly useful for softening the edges of water bowls and smaller ponds, while the trailing foliage creates a more natural transition between the water and surrounding garden.

It also makes a great contrast when planted alongside upright pond plants that provide height and structure.

Feeding Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola benefits from a nutrient-rich growing environment.

For healthy growth, consider adding a slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablet during the growing season. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rate and frequency.

Gotu Kola for Water Bowls and Small Ponds

Gotu Kola is particularly well suited to small ponds, water bowls and container water gardens where its spreading habit can be appreciated up close.

Growing it in a floating pond plant ring makes it easy to position the plant at the water's surface and allows its trailing stems to spread naturally.

Pair it with taller plants for height and structure, flowering pond plants for colour and oxygenating plants to help create a balanced water garden.

Add Gotu Kola to your pond for lush green cover, distinctive foliage and a natural spreading habit.