If you don't have enough space for a large garden pond, a mini pond is a real alternative. Birds and insects discover it as a water source and habitat. We present 18 suitable pond plants.

In a nutshell

  • There is space for a mini pond in the smallest garden
  • old wine barrels, tubs or disused vessels are suitable
  • several mini ponds can be combined
  • important habitat for insects and water source for birds and small animals

mini ponds

Do you want a pond in your garden, but don't have enough space? Then try a mini pond. The small pond is created quickly. You need:

  • an old vessel, for example a sawed-through wine barrel or an old zinc tub
  • pond liner
  • big stones
  • pebbles
  • plant baskets
  • pond plants

Pond plants with different requirements are suitable for the mini pond:

  • Marsh plants need shallow water with a water depth between 0 and 10 centimeters.
  • Floating plants are aquatic plants that move freely in the water. Their roots have no contact with the ground.
  • Floating leaf plants need a certain water depth and connection to the ground.
  • Underwater plants are rooted at the bottom and have no connection to the water surface.

Plants from A - F

Frog bite (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)

The frog bite belongs to the floating plants. He moves freely in the water. With white flowers, the aquatic plants look very decorative in the small garden pond.

  • Water depth: 20 to 40 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to August
  • Flower color: white with a yellow center
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 10 to 15 centimeters
  • Hardy: yes
  • Water quality: rich in lime
  • Features: Water and soil low in nitrogen

Notice: The frog bite owes its name to the shape of its green leaves, which is reminiscent of a frog's mouth.

Frog spoon (Alisma plantago-aquatica)

The frog spoon reaches a growth height of up to one meter. It seems very big for a mini pond. Only use a single plant.

  • Water depth: 5 to 10 centimeters
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Flower color: white
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 40 to 100 centimeters
  • Hardy: yes
  • Water quality: low in lime
  • Special features: water-purifying properties

Tip: The flowers of the frog spoon are beautiful. They are even suitable as cut flowers in a vase.

Plants from G - J

Yellow jester flower (Mimulus luteus)

Yellow jellyfish are a splash of color in your small pond with their bright yellow flowers. The aquatic plants form a great contrast next to dark blue or purple pond plants.

  • Water depth: 5 to 10 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Flower color: yellow
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 30 to 40 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: low in lime
  • Special features: Pruning recommended in autumn
Source: ALAN SCHMIERER, MONKEYFLOWER (mimulus guttatus) (3-9-09) chorro creek e a -1 copy (3343816681), edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0

Yellow marsh iris (Iris pseudacorus)

Yellow marsh irises are well suited for planting in small ponds. The flowers of the aquatic plants shine from afar.

  • Water depth: 10 to 30 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to June
  • Flower color: yellow
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 60 to 120 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: neutral
  • Special features: strong growth, always use a plant basket for planting

Common Floating Fern (Salvinia natans)

With its elliptically shaped, felt-like leaves, the floating fern does not look like a fern. With the robust floating plant you can plant a mini pond in a sunny location. The ornamental foliage plant does not form flowers.

  • Water depth: from 10 centimeters
  • Location: sunny
  • Growth height: 5 to 10 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: rich in lime
  • Special features: parts are removed if there is widespread use

Common Fir Frond (Hippuris vulgaris)

The stems of the common fir frond, with their lively arranged leaves, are reminiscent of fir branches.

  • Water depth: 10 to 20 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Flower color: pink
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 40 to 60 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: neutral
  • Special features: popular bee forage plant
Fir frond, Hippuris vulgaris

Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Loosestrife is a decorative perennial for shallow water and swampy areas. Various hybrids with flowers in various shades of red and pink are available in gardening stores. The medicinal plant got its name because of its haemostatic effect.

  • Water depth: 5 to 10 centimeters
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Flower color: pink, purple
  • Lifespan: perennial
  • Growth height: 70 to 80 centimeters
  • Hardy: yes
  • Water quality: rich in lime
  • Features: The pink flower candles of the aquatic plants attract bees, bumblebees, dragonflies and butterflies.

Grove sorrel (Rumex sanguineus)

The hare sorrel or moor sorrel belongs to the knotweed family. With its green leaves streaked with blood-red leaf veins, it is suitable for planting in the mini pond.

  • Water depth: 5 to 10 centimeters
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Flower color: creamy white
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 40 to 60 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: low in lime
  • Special features: high nutrient requirement
Source: Photo by David J. Stang, Rumex sanguineus 2zz, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tip: We recommend placing the sorrel in a small pond in a plant basket filled with pond soil to satisfy its high nutrient requirements.

Planting by K - R

Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus spiralis)

The corkscrew rush impresses with the corkscrew-like shape of its stems. Its brown flowers appear from July.

  • Water depth: 10 to 15 centimeters
  • Flowering period: July to August
  • Flower color: brown
  • Location: sunny
  • Growth height: 25 to 30 centimeters
  • Hardy: yes
  • Water quality: neutral
  • Special features: pruning in autumn
corkscrew rush

Cuckoo carnation (Lychnis flos-cuculi)

Plant your mini pond with cuckoo carnations! With their delicate flowers, the aquatic plants bring an exotic flair to your garden.

  • Water depth: 0 to 5 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Flower color: pink
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 40 to 60 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: low in lime
  • Special features: popular bee food plant

Planting from S - U

Sea jug (Nymphoides peltata)

With its large leaves, the sea jug provides shade in the mini pond and prevents the formation of algae. The floating plant with the yellow, ragged leaves is popular with dragonflies and water striders.

  • Water depth: 30 to 50 centimeters
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Flower color: golden yellow
  • Location: sunny
  • Growth height: 5 centimeters
  • Hardy: no
  • Water quality: low in lime
  • Specialties: finds excellent conditions in small ponds

Swamp Calla (Calla palustris)

The marsh calla is excellent for planting in ponds in shady and semi-shady locations.

  • Water depth: 0 to 10 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to July
  • Flower color: white-light green
  • Location: shady to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 20 to 30 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: low in lime
  • Special features: slightly toxic in all parts of the plant

Marsh Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis palustris)

Plant your mini pond with the romantic swamp forget-me-not! When the enchanting plant feels comfortable, it velvets itself.

  • Water depth: 0 to 5 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to September
  • Flower color: light blue or white
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 30 to 70 centimeters
  • Hardy: down to -20 degrees Celsius
  • Water quality: low-lime water
  • Special features: pruning after the first flowering is recommended
Source: AnRo0002, 20220720Myosotis scorpioides3, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0

Planting from V - Z

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

The water hyacinth comes from Brazil. The bubbles on the stems and the air-filled tissue give the floating plant the buoyancy it needs. She multiplies quickly. If the humidity is sufficiently high in summer, it produces beautiful flowers.

  • Water depth: 20 to 40 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to August
  • Flower color: blue-violet
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 10 to 15 centimeters
  • Hardy: no
  • Water quality: low in lime
  • Special features: flowering only at high humidity

Notice: Planting a water hyacinth in the mini pond will help purify the water.

Water mint (Mentha aquatica)

Water mint impresses with its delicate fragrance. The bumblebees and bees love them too. If you want, you can prepare a tasty tea from the mint leaves.

  • Water depth: 5 to 10 centimeters
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Flower color: light purple
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 20 to 50 centimeters
  • Hardy: frost hardy
  • Water quality: acidic
  • Special features: popular bee forage plant
Joël van der Loo, Mentha aquatica Meinerswijk, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Waterweed (Egeria densa)

The waterweed is an underwater plant. It regulates the oxygen content in the mini pond.

  • Water depth: 70 to 180 centimeters
  • Flowering period: May to September
  • Flower color: white
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 30 to 100 centimeters
  • Hardy: yes
  • Water quality: calcareous water
  • Special features: regular pruning required

Tip: Waterweed is popular for its water-purifying properties. She's growing very fast. If you want to cultivate them in a small pond, you have to ensure regular pruning.

Dwarf Cattails (Typha minima)

The small cattail is threatened with extinction in the wild. Give it a sheltered home in your mini pond. With its spherical, dark brown spikes, it forms a perfect contrast to the flowering plants.

  • Water depth: 5 to 10 centimeters
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Flower color: brown
  • Location: sunny
  • Growth height: 40 to 60 centimeters
  • Hardy: yes, overwinters in overwintering buds
  • Water quality: rich in lime
  • Special features: very susceptible to wind, protected location required
Source: Radio Tonreg from Vienna, Austria, Typha minima (6982918754), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0

Dwarf water lily (Nymphaea tetragona)

A water lily must be! Choose a small variety for the small pond. The dwarf water lily is perfect for mini ponds.

  • Water depth: 30 to 50 centimeters
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Flower color: yellow
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Growth height: 10 centimeters
  • Hardy: yes
  • Water quality: rich in lime
  • Special features: blooms into the evening

frequently asked Questions

Can I place a mini pond on the balcony?

You can also design a mini pond on a balcony. Be sure to consider the weight of water, gravel, and rocks. Choose the size of the mini pond and the vessel to suit the load capacity of your balcony.

What do I do with the mini pond in winter?

Note that a mini-pond with an average water depth of between 30 and 40 centimeters does not offer any conditions for wintering, even for hardy pond plants. There is also a risk that the frozen water will destroy the vessel. Drain the water in autumn and place the pond plants in an aquarium for the winter. If you have the opportunity, you can overwinter the mini pond in the winter garden or in the greenhouse.

Can the dwarf water lily tolerate a fountain?

Dwarf water lilies do not tolerate permanent water movement and splashing water on the flower. Therefore, one should refrain from fountains in the small pond with dwarf water lilies.

Does a mini pond offer good conditions for fish?

Fish in the mini pond is a daring undertaking. Space is limited and the permanent nutrient input from the fish food is high. Small mini ponds get very hot in summer, so the fish could suffer. We recommend refraining from fish in the mini pond and enjoying visiting the charming dragonflies and insects on the pond plants.

Category:

Garden design