Aquatic Plant Selector for Natural Pools
Browse our database of UK-suitable aquatic plants. Filter by planting zone, light requirements, and wildlife benefit. Get quantity recommendations based on your pool size.
Plant Quantity Calculator
Enter your pool size to see recommended plant quantities
Oxygenating
100
plants needed
Marginal
38
plants needed
Deep Water
8
plants needed
Floating
15
plants needed
Filter Plants
Showing 18 of 18 plants
Oxygenating(4 plants)
Hornwort
Ceratophyllum demersum
Excellent oxygenator that floats freely without roots. Provides shelter for wildlife and helps control algae.
Depth: Any depth
Planting density: 5 per sqm
Simply drop bunches into the water. Thrives in most conditions and requires no planting.
Water Starwort
Callitriche stagnalis
Forms dense underwater mats with small floating rosettes. Essential for newts and other amphibians.
Depth: Up to 60cm
Planting density: 6 per sqm
Plant in shallow margins or let float freely. Prefers cooler water.
Curled Pondweed
Potamogeton crispus
Distinctive wavy-edged leaves that stay green through winter. Excellent for water clarity.
Depth: 30-90cm
Planting density: 4 per sqm
Plant in baskets at 30-90cm depth. Tolerates shade better than most oxygenators.
Spiked Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Feathery foliage provides excellent habitat for invertebrates. One of the best oxygenators.
Depth: Up to 3m
Planting density: 5 per sqm
Plant in baskets or weighted bunches. Needs good light to thrive.
Marginal(8 plants)
Yellow Flag Iris
Iris pseudacorus
Striking yellow flowers in early summer. Excellent for wildlife and water filtration.
Depth: 0-15cm
Planting density: 3 per sqm
Plant in shallow water up to 15cm deep. Very vigorous - may need containing.
Flowers: May-July
Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
One of the first pond plants to flower in spring. Bright golden flowers loved by bees.
Depth: 0-5cm
Planting density: 5 per sqm
Plant in wet soil or very shallow water. Prefers cool, moist conditions.
Flowers: March-May
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Tall spikes of purple flowers attract butterflies and bees. Excellent for biodiversity.
Depth: Moist soil to 5cm
Planting density: 3 per sqm
Plant in wet soil at the pool edge. Can grow quite tall (up to 1.5m).
Flowers: June-September
Water Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides
Delicate blue flowers throughout summer. Low-growing and perfect for pool edges.
Depth: 0-10cm
Planting density: 8 per sqm
Plant in shallow water or wet soil. Self-seeds readily.
Flowers: May-September
Water Mint
Mentha aquatica
Aromatic leaves and lilac flowers. Attracts many pollinating insects.
Depth: 0-15cm
Planting density: 4 per sqm
Plant in shallow margins. Spreads vigorously - best contained in baskets.
Flowers: July-September
Flowering Rush
Butomus umbellatus
Elegant pink flower heads on tall stems. One of Britain's most beautiful aquatic plants.
Depth: 15-30cm
Planting density: 3 per sqm
Plant in water 15-30cm deep. Prefers muddy rather than gravelly substrates.
Flowers: July-August
Lesser Spearwort
Ranunculus flammula
Small buttercup-like flowers. Low-growing and excellent for pool edges.
Depth: 0-10cm
Planting density: 6 per sqm
Plant in shallow water or wet mud. Easy to establish.
Flowers: June-September
Brooklime
Veronica beccabunga
Bright blue flowers and succulent leaves. Provides good cover for wildlife.
Depth: 0-10cm
Planting density: 6 per sqm
Plant in shallow margins. Spreads to form good ground cover.
Flowers: May-September
Deep Water(3 plants)
White Water Lily
Nymphaea alba
The classic British water lily with large white flowers. Provides essential shade to control algae.
Depth: 45-90cm
Planting density: 0.5 per sqm
Plant in large baskets at 45-90cm depth. Needs at least 6 hours of sun for good flowering.
Flowers: June-September
Yellow Water Lily
Nuphar lutea
Tolerates deeper and shadier conditions than white lilies. Yellow globe-shaped flowers.
Depth: 60cm-2m
Planting density: 0.3 per sqm
Good for larger pools. Can handle depths up to 2m and some shade.
Flowers: June-August
Fringed Water Lily
Nymphoides peltata
Smaller than true lilies with delicate fringed yellow flowers. Good for smaller pools.
Depth: 30-60cm
Planting density: 2 per sqm
Plant at 30-60cm depth. Can spread vigorously - may need occasional thinning.
Flowers: July-September
Floating(3 plants)
Frogbit
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
Mini water lily appearance with white flowers. Provides cover for amphibians.
Planting density: 10 per sqm
Simply place on water surface. Produces winter buds that sink and regrow in spring.
Flowers: July-August
Water Soldier
Stratiotes aloides
Spiky rosettes that rise to surface in summer. Important habitat for rare insects.
Planting density: 2 per sqm
Place in water and let float. Sinks to bottom in winter, rises in summer.
Flowers: June-August
Water Violet
Hottonia palustris
Delicate lilac flowers held above feathery underwater foliage. Rare in the wild.
Planting density: 4 per sqm
Prefers clean, still water. Can be slow to establish but worth the wait.
Flowers: May-June