Water gardens, whether sprawling backyard ponds or compact container features, bring a calming, elegant touch to any outdoor or indoor space. To keep these aquatic environments lively and well-balanced, fast-growing water plants play a vital role. They help oxygenate the water, control algae growth, and provide food and shelter for fish and insects. Best of all, they add vibrant greenery and blooms in a short span of time. Here are 10 fast-growing water plants ideal for both ponds and containers.
1. Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Water lettuce is a floating aquatic plant that multiplies rapidly in warm water. Resembling open green rosettes, its soft, velvety leaves float on the surface, offering shade and reducing algae by blocking sunlight. In ideal conditions, water lettuce produces offshoots known as ‘daughter plants’ within weeks, creating lush floating mats. It’s a favorite for fish ponds as it provides shelter for fry and amphibians. Though it prefers full sun, water lettuce also thrives in partial shade and needs minimal care to flourish.
2. Duckweed (Lemna minor)
Duckweed is one of the smallest, fastest-growing aquatic plants on the planet. Each tiny, green frond floats freely on water surfaces, reproducing quickly by division. In nutrient-rich water, duckweed can double in coverage every 2 to 3 days. It’s excellent for covering pond surfaces, reducing algae growth, and providing food for fish, ducks, and other aquatic wildlife. Though often overlooked for its size, duckweed is highly beneficial for maintaining healthy pond ecosystems and works wonderfully in small containers and indoor water features too.
3. Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
Water hyacinth is a striking, fast-growing floating plant known for its lavender-blue flowers and bulbous, water-retaining stems. It reproduces by sending out runners (stolons), creating dense mats within weeks. Besides its ornamental value, water hyacinth helps purify water by absorbing excess nutrients. Its broad leaves shade the pond surface, reducing algae and providing hiding spots for aquatic creatures. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be easily controlled by periodic thinning, making it a great choice for both ponds and large containers.
4. Parrot’s Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
Parrot’s Feather is a decorative, fast-growing submerged and emergent plant with fine, feathery foliage. Its soft green leaves grow rapidly underwater and extend above the surface, resembling miniature bottlebrushes. It establishes quickly, providing excellent cover for fish and helping oxygenate the water. Parrot’s Feather is well-suited for small pond edges, water troughs, and container water gardens. It flourishes in full sun and shallow waters, where its attractive foliage adds texture and natural filtration benefits to aquatic landscapes.
5. Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Hornwort is a submerged, fast-growing oxygenating plant perfect for ponds and water containers. This rootless plant floats freely or anchors to the bottom, growing rapidly in warm weather. Its whorled, needle-like leaves form dense underwater forests, creating shelter for fish and reducing algae by competing for nutrients. Hornwort is also known for its ability to release natural chemicals that inhibit algae growth. It’s extremely low-maintenance, adapting well to different water conditions and requiring no soil, making it ideal for novice pond keepers.
6. Water Celery (Oenanthe javanica)
Water celery, also known as Java water dropwort, is a hardy, fast-spreading marginal plant. It produces delicate, bright green foliage and small white flowers in summer. In shallow water or damp soil, it grows rapidly, forming dense colonies along pond edges and in water containers. Beyond its visual appeal, water celery is edible and used in Asian cuisine for its crisp stems and leaves. It thrives in sun to partial shade and plays a role in water purification by absorbing excess nutrients.
7. Canna Lily (Canna indica)
Canna lilies are bold, fast-growing marginal water plants with large, tropical-style leaves and striking flowers. Though technically semi-aquatic, they thrive in shallow water or moist soils around pond margins. Cannas grow quickly in warm, sunny conditions, reaching heights of 3 to 6 feet within a single season. Their bright red, orange, or yellow blooms attract pollinators and create a lush, colorful border for water gardens. Suitable for both large ponds and spacious water containers, cannas add vertical interest and dramatic texture.
8. Pickerel Rush (Pontederia cordata)
Pickerel Rush is a vigorous, fast-growing aquatic plant that thrives in shallow water along pond edges. It produces clusters of violet-blue, spiked flowers from late spring through summer, paired with shiny, heart-shaped leaves. Pickerel Rush grows rapidly in warm weather, forming dense clumps that provide cover for fish and amphibians. It also aids in water filtration by absorbing excess nutrients. This hardy plant works well in container water gardens and naturalistic pond designs, bringing both beauty and ecological benefits.
9. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
Watercress is not only a fast-growing edible plant but also a valuable addition to ponds and water features. Thriving in cool, clean, shallow waters, watercress spreads quickly, forming lush mats of green leaves and tiny white flowers. It improves water quality by absorbing nitrates and reducing algae growth. Watercress is perfect for marginal planting in small streams, water troughs, or pond edges. Regular harvesting of its peppery leaves encourages continued growth, offering a tasty and attractive addition to aquatic gardens.
10. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing, trailing marginal plant often used around water features. Its bright green to golden-yellow foliage spreads rapidly along pond edges, waterfalls, and container gardens, cascading beautifully over stones and the water’s edge. Creeping Jenny thrives in both sun and shade, tolerating wet soils and shallow standing water. It roots wherever its stems touch the soil or water, quickly forming dense ground cover. This cheerful, low-maintenance plant adds charm and texture while helping stabilize pond margins.
Conclusion
Adding fast-growing water plants to your ponds and containers not only enhances their beauty but also plays a vital role in water purification, oxygenation, and ecosystem balance. From floating blooms like water hyacinth to submerged oxygenators like hornwort, these 10 water-loving plants offer quick results and continuous interest throughout the growing season. Whether you’re starting a small water container or managing a backyard pond, these selections will bring lush, tranquil life to your aquatic spaces in no time.
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