A container pond is the ideal way to add the relaxing sound of water, gorgeous greenery and wildlife appeal to patios, small gardens, yards and balconies. With Dwarf Water Lilies, compact oxygenating grasses and mini marginals, a lack of space doesn’t mean compromising on your pond plans. Check out our guide How to Make a Container Pond then fill it with the best selection of plants chosen especially for their naturally compact size, looks and variety.
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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!
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Why choose a container pond?
There are many reasons you might want to grow a miniature container pond. You might rent your property, for instance, and not be contractually allowed to significantly alter your outdoor space. Or you might not have that much space to begin with, perhaps only a patio or terrace. Creating a pond in a small container also allows you much greater control over your pond’s conditions than is typically possible with a medium to large pond.
Tips for growing a container pond
When creating a container pond, it’s important to ensure your container is watertight – especially if you’re using a recycled/repurposed container (like a wooden barrel). If it’s not watertight, then make sure to use a liner. In terms of the plants themselves, the main thing is that you opt for compact plant varieties that are small enough to fit in a contained space. Dwarf water lilies are perfect, for instance. Three to five plants are normally plenty for small container ponds. The water in small containers is more prone to evaporating, so it’s critical you keep an eye on the pond’s water level and top it up if needed (use rainwater to fill your pond, where possible).
Our favourite container pond plants
If you were to wave a magic wand and grant us our dream container pond, we’d put in a floating water lily to be the star of the show (either 'Pygmaea Helvola' or 'Pygmaea Alba'), an oxygenating plant like upright water milfoil to keep the water nice and healthy, and a taller marginal plant (like pickerel weed) to add some vertical interest as well as another bit of colour. In no time, whatsoever, your little pond paradise will be attracting wildlife and looking resplendent on your patio.
