Deep Water and Floating Pond Plants

Make a splash with deep water and floating pond plants - they’re some of the most attractive and interesting varieties around. From graceful water lilies and healthy green oxygenators to fabulous foliage and stylish rushes, we’ll help you choose the ideal combination of submerged and floating plants for the deepest water in your pond, lake or container garden. Take a deep dive into our specially curated collection - it blows other plants out of the water! Need help picking?
Pond plants (157) Water irises (20)Water lilies (43)Ferns (34)Pond grasses (16)Oxygenating pond plants (13)
  • Hornwort Plant | Oxygenating Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Oxygenating Hornwort Plant | Ceratophyllum demersum

    Keeps your pond healthy

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grows well in full sun, partial or full shade
    • Excellent algae control
    • A free floating native plant for oxygenating ponds and lakes

    2 options available

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  • Water Hawthorn | Aponogeton distachyos Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Water Hawthorn | Aponogeton distachyos

    Floating, vanilla scented blooms

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from March to May and in autumn
    • A perfect complement to water lilies

    4 options available

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  • Best Oxygenating Pond Plants | Growers' Choice Pond Plants
    From £13
    From £13

    Best Oxygenating Pond Plants | Growers' Choice

    Keep your pond nice and clear!

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Full sun to full shade
    • Gorgeous foliage in a range of green hues
    • Plants that keep your pond from stagnating

    2 options available

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  • White Water Lily | Nymphaea Alba Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Alba'

    The only native British Water Lily

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    5 options available

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  • Water Lily Darwin | Nymphaea hollandia Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Long Flowering Water Lily | Nymphaea hollandia 'Darwin'

    The softest pink double blooms

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Ideal for a sunny spot
    • Long summer flowering from June to October
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    5 options available

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  • White Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea Pygmaea alba Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    White Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Alba'

    Tiny, snowdrop white waterlilies

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Perfect for a sunny pond
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Dwarf waterlily, an extra small variety ideal for mini ponds and shallow water features

    2 options available

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  • 5 Water Lettuce | Pistia stratiotes | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Water Lettuce | Pistia stratiotes

    Floating emerald green rosettes

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Attractive free floating foliage plant
    • No planting needed - simply place on the water!

    2 options available

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  • Yellow Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea Pygmaea helvola Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Yellow Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'

    A pond full of stars

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in a sunny spot
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Dwarf waterlily, an extra small variety ideal for mini ponds and shallow water features

    2 options available

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  • 5 Frogbit Plants | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Frogbit Plants

    Elegant floating flowers

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Flowers in summer from June to July
    • Attractive perennial ideal for smaller ponds

    2 options available

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  • Large White Water Lily | Nymphaea Virginalis Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Virginalis'

    Elegant semi double white blooms

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    4 options available

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  • Red Water Lily | Nymphaea Attraction Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Red Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Attraction'

    A symphony in rose

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Ideal for sunny ponds
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    5 options available

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  • Nymphoides peltata | Yellow Floating Heart Pond Plants
    From £18
    From £18

    Nymphoides peltata | Yellow Floating Heart

    Floating star shaped yellow blooms

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Best grown in full sun
    • Long flowering season from May to September
    • Ideal for small ponds and containers

    2 options available

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  • Variable Water Lily | Nymphaea Aurora Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Variable Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Aurora'

    Glorious colour changes

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A small waterlily, perfect for more compact ponds

    2 options available

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  • Miniature Deep Water Pond Collection | 6 x 1L Pots Pond Plants
    £60
    £60

    Best Small Pond Plants Collection | Grower's Choice

    Everything you need to fill your small pond

    • Six pond plants chosen by our expert grower
    • The best variety of colours, heights and types
    • Hardy, easy care perennials
    • Attracts beneficial wildlife to your pond

    1 option available

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  • Colorado Water Lily | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £60
    From £60

    Flamingo Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Colorado'

    Fabulous in Flamingo pink

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Late summer flowering from July to October
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Marliacea Carnea Pond Plants
    From £60
    From £60

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Marliacea Carnea'

    A classic in pink and white

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    1 option available

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  • Almost Black Water Lily Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    'Almost Black' Water Lily

    Dark and sophisticated

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Loves a sunny spot
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    4 options available

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  • White Water Lily | Nymphaea Gonnere Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gonnère'

    The snowball waterlily

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    4 options available

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  • Yellow Water Lily | Nymphaea Marliacea Chromatella Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Yellow Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella'

    Sunshine yellow all summer long

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    6 options available

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  • Nymphaea Perry's Baby Red | Water Lily Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Red Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Perry's Baby Red'

    Compact, prolific and vibrant red

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • A sun-loving plant
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A small waterlily, perfect for more compact ponds

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Miniature Pond Collection With a Lily | 6 x 1L Pots Pond Plants
    £75
    £75

    Best Small Pond Plants Collection with a Lily | Grower's Choice

    The complete planting scheme for your small pond

    • Six perfect pond plants chosen by our expert grower
    • The best variety of colours, heights and types including a water lily
    • Hardy, easy care perennials
    • Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds

    1 option available

    Trustpilot
  • Large Double Petal Water Lily | Nymphaea Mayla Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Double Petal Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Mayla'

    Dazzles in fabulous fuchsia

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Ideal for a sunny pond
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Gladstoniana Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gladstoniana'

    Luxuriant and free flowering

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Loves a sunny spot
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    4 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Barbara Dobbins Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Barbara Dobbins'

    Perfectly peach

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Perfect for a sunny pond
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    4 options available

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  • Joey Tomocik Water Lily | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Golden Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Joey Tomocik'

    Lemon yellow with a golden glow

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Water Lily 'Charles de Meurville' | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Charles de Meurville'

    Decadent wine coloured waterlily

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Large Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea Rose Arey Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Rose Arey'

    Stunning, star shaped and pink

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Plant in full sun for the best flowers
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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Enfield

Meet Caroline

A deep dive into sustainable gardening

Nestled amongst wildlife meadows and resident ducks, Caroline’s award winning pond plant nursery in Enfield has been making a splash since 1965, when they invented the (recycled, obvs) aquatic basket. Sixty years and multiple RHS gold medals later, they’re still surprising us with new varieties every year!

Need help picking?

Why choose deep water and floating plants?

Why choose deep water and floating plants?

If you’ve got a medium to large-sized pond, then implementing some floating plants can help add visual impact as well as wildlife appeal, and also contribute to a healthier pond environment overall. Few plants can rival the elegance of the water lily, while the hornwort plant provides cover for amphibians and fish. For a happy, healthy and highly attractive pond, whack some floaters in there.

What types of floating plants are there?

What types of floating plants are there?

There are both flowering and foliage floating plants. We’ve already touched upon the water lily, Nymphaea, which is arguably the best flowering plant for deep water, but the water-crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) gives it a good run for its money, with its dainty, buttercup-like blooms. So too does the water hawthorn plant (Aponogeton distachyos), thanks to its fresh fragrance. On the foliage side of things, there are a huge number of brilliant plants from which to choose, including the aforementioned hornwort, the water lettuce with its salad-like rosettes, and water violets with their fabulously ferny fronds.

Planting and caring for deep water plants

Planting and caring for deep water plants

Planting floating plants is easy; for plants you want to keep submerged, like deep water oxygenators, you can attach a weight when planting to help keep them anchored in position. For floating plants like water lilies, it’s as simple as tossing your plant – gently, of course – straight onto the water and letting it do its thang. Consider adding a slow-release aquatic feed each spring to help give your plants a boost.

Happy plants make happy customers

Trustpilot
Ornamental Colour Collection Pond Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.

Monica Spence

| 24 May
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides Climbing Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

Jacqueline Burgess

| 2 Jun
five star rating on Trustpilot

I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.

Judy Lane

| 23 Oct
E 'Black Hamburgh' Indoor Grape Vine Soft Fruit
five star rating on Trustpilot

The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.

Martyn Hill

| 5 Jul
E 'Braeburn Hillwell' Apple Tree Fruit Trees
five star rating on Trustpilot

As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

John-Paul

| 22 May
five star rating on Trustpilot

Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.

Gavin Wilcock

| 8 Nov

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