If you don't have the necessary space for a "real" pond, you can still create a mini pond and decorate it with pretty aquatic plants. In this guide you will find out which plants are particularly suitable for this purpose.
Smaller ponds also need smaller plants
Basic considerations for mini pond planting
Which aquatic plants are the right ones for the mini pond always depends on what this mini pond actually looks like.
- How big is the pond exactly?
- how deep is the pond
- Where is the pond (sun, shade, semi-shade)?
Depending on the characteristics of these parameters, certain aquatic plants are suitable, while others are less suitable. Every layman can understand the reasons for this logically:
- Larger plants require more space than smaller ones.
- Different aquatic plants need different water depths.
- Some plants only thrive in the sun, others do well in the shade or partial shade.
In short, the design of the mini pond is primarily about meeting the needs of the respective aquatic plants.
Note: Also note that some aquatic plants are not hardy. Therefore, you must make a decision in this regard. Either you only rely on hardy aquatic plants for your mini pond or you overwinter plants that are not frost-hardy.
Rules of thumb for planting the mini pond
- Plant a maximum of five aquatic plants per square meter.
- The smaller the pond, the fewer plants you should use.
- In very small areas, using multiple specimens of just one type of plant looks better (rather than getting the same number from different plants).
- In order to ensure good water quality, underwater floating plants (such as water feathers or waterweed) are elementary. On the one hand, they absorb excess nutrients from the water and, on the other hand, they release oxygen into the water. No plant can survive without oxygen.
Ideas for planting the mini pond with aquatic plants
Finally, a few more concrete ideas - i.e. examples of both optically and functionally successful plantings for the mini pond.
Ideal as a solitaire
- Dwarf water lily (or a classic water lily)
- swamp calla
- water hyacinth
Harmonious mixed plantings
- Dwarf cattail, marsh forget-me-not and water chestnut
- Cyprus grass, water iris and water lettuce (mussel flower)
- Heartleaf hagweed, water poppy and swan flower (bulrush, water violet)
Note: The latter combination in particular is only suitable for mini ponds that are not too small and a little deeper.
Solitary and noble in groups
- frog bite
- horsetail