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Best Australian native plants for a pond

A pond isn’t just a beautiful garden feature—it’s an important ecosystem that supports wildlife, improves water quality, and enhances biodiversity. The best way to keep a pond healthy and self-sustaining is by planting native Australian aquatic plants that naturally filter water, provide shelter for wildlife, and prevent algae growth.

Here’s a guide to the best Aussie natives for ponds, their benefits, and how to care for them.

Why use native plants in a pond?

  • Improve water quality – Absorb excess nutrients, reducing algae growth.
  • Provide habitat for wildlife – Frogs, dragonflies, and birds use aquatic plants for shelter and breeding.
  • Require less maintenance – Well-adapted to Australian conditions, needing little extra care.
  • Support biodiversity – Encourage native insects and animals while preventing invasive species from taking over.

Types of plants for a pond

To create a balanced ecosystem, use a mix of:
✔ Floating plants – Provide shade and prevent algae.
✔ Emergent plants – Grow at the edges, helping to stabilize banks.
✔ Submerged plants – Oxygenate the water and support aquatic life.
✔ Marginal plants – Thrive in shallow areas, offering shelter for wildlife.

Best Australian native pond plants

1. Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera) – Submerged & marginal

Native to: Eastern and southern Australia
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Depth: 10–50 cm deep

Water Ribbons are fast-growing, submerged plants with long, flowing leaves that provide oxygen to the water. They also act as shelter for frogs and insects while helping to filter excess nutrients.

2. Nardoo (Marsilea drummondii) – Floating

Native to: Most of Australia (except Tasmania)
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Depth: Floating or shallow water

Nardoo is an Australian native aquatic fern that floats on the water’s surface, blocking sunlight to prevent algae blooms. It’s also a valuable food source for waterbirds and insects.

3. Common Rush (Juncus usitatus) – Marginal

Native to: Eastern Australia
Light: Full sun
Water Depth: 0–30 cm

Rushes are great for pond edges, stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. They also provide shelter for small frogs, insects, and birds, creating an important wildlife corridor.

4. River Club Rush (Schoenoplectus validus) – Emergent

Native to: Australia-wide
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Depth: 10–40 cm

This tall, grass-like plant is perfect for pond margins. It grows in clumps, filtering water while providing nesting spots for birds and habitat for frogs.

5. Swamp Lily (Crinum pedunculatum) – Marginal

Native to: Coastal eastern Australia
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Depth: 0–20 cm

A stunning white-flowering lily that thrives in shallow water. It attracts pollinators, stabilizes banks, and adds a tropical feel to your pond.

6. Blue Devil (Eryngium vesiculosum) – Marginal

Native to: Eastern and southern Australia
Light: Full sun
Water Depth: Moist to shallow water

This unique, spiky blue wildflower is excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. It thrives on wet banks and helps filter runoff into the pond.

7. Duckweed (Lemna disperma) – Floating

Native to: Australia-wide
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Depth: Floating

Duckweed absorbs excess nutrients and prevents algae blooms by shading the water. It’s a great food source for aquatic animals, but should be monitored to prevent overgrowth.

8. Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum crispatum) – Submerged

Native to: Eastern and southern Australia
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Depth: Fully submerged

A fantastic oxygenating plant, Water Milfoil helps keep water clean and clear, providing an excellent habitat for small aquatic creatures.

How to plant & maintain a native pond

✔ Layer different plant types – Combine floating, submerged, and marginal plants to create a natural balance.
✔ Use pond-safe soil – Avoid fertilizers that can cause algae blooms.
✔ Avoid overplanting – Let plants establish naturally without overcrowding.
✔ Trim and remove excess growth – Prevent plants like duckweed from taking over.
✔ Check water levels – Maintain the right depth for each plant type.

What to avoid in a pond

❌ Invasive species – Avoid non-native water plants like water hyacinth or Amazon frogbit, which spread rapidly and choke native plants.
❌ Fish – They eat beneficial insect larvae and frog eggs, disrupting the pond’s ecosystem.
❌ Chemicals & fertilizers – These can pollute the water and harm native wildlife.

By choosing Australian native pond plants, you create a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports frogs, dragonflies, birds, and beneficial insects. Whether you have a small backyard pond or a large wetland feature, a mix of floating, submerged, emergent, and marginal plants will keep your pond healthy, clean, and full of life.

Nature thrives when we work with it—so let your pond become a haven for Australia’s unique biodiversity!