Best Pond Plants for Autumn and Winter

As autumn arrives and temperatures begin to fall, it’s important to choose the right plants that will not only enhance your pond’s beauty but also support its health and the wildlife that depends on it.

Some plants continue to provide colour and structure through the colder months, while others are great for creating shelter for pond life.

Here are some of the best pond plants for autumn and winter, along with tips on how to protect them through the season.

Darwin, Paul Hariot and Colorado Waterlilies
Even as the weather cools, Darwin, Paul Hariot and Colorado waterlilies continue to flower into October. Their broad leaves provide shade and cover for amphibians and other pond creatures that may not have left the pond yet.

As temperatures drop, you can protect your waterlilies by ensuring they are placed in a deep enough part of the pond (at least 60 cm), where the water is less likely to freeze.

Golden Variegated Slender Sweet Flag
(Acorus gramineus 'Ogon')
Golden Variegated Slender Sweet Flag is a stunning addition to your pond, particularly in the cooler months of autumn. Known for its golden variegated foliage, this plant adds a bright splash of colour to the pond’s edges. Its slender, upright leaves create striking architectural interest while also providing excellent cover for small pond creatures and insects.

This hardy plant thrives in damp or boggy conditions and requires minimal care over the winter months. While it's resilient to cold weather, cutting back any dead or dying foliage in late autumn can help maintain a neat appearance and promote fresh growth come spring. With its ability to withstand frosts, this is a fantastic, low-maintenance plant that enhances your pond throughout the seasons.

Iris Louisiana 'Black Gamecock'
Although the flowers of Iris Louisiana 'Black Gamecock' may fade by autumn, the rhizomes continue growing through winter. This allows the plant to store energy for a beautiful bloom in June. The foliage also creates habitat for pond wildlife, offering shelter from the elements. Keeping the rhizomes submerged and insulated will help ensure the plant survives the winter.

Chinese Marshflower
(Mazus Reptans)
This hardy, low-growing plant perfect for the pond’s edge. Its ability to spread and create a lush carpet makes it ideal for stabilising the pond bank while providing ground cover for amphibians and insects. Chinese Marshflower can thrive year-round, making it a reliable addition to your pond’s ecosystem through the colder months. 

Dutch Rush
(Equisetum Hyemale)
Dutch Rush, is a fantastic choice for the UK climate. Its tall, evergreen stems provide structure to your pond during winter and offer shelter for pond creatures. It’s highly resilient in both wet and cold conditions, making it an ideal year-round plant. Simply cut back dead or damaged stems in late winter to encourage healthy regrowth in spring.

Variegated Water Dropwort
(Oenanthe Javanica 'Flamingo')
With its variegated pink leaves, Variegated Water Dropwort adds a splash of colour to your pond’s edge, even as temperatures cool. This plant thrives in damp soil and provides shelter for pond life. As it continues to grow through autumn, it’s a great option for maintaining pond structure and habitat during winter. Protect it from frost by ensuring it's in a sheltered position.

Protecting Your Pond Plants in Winter

To help your pond plants thrive through winter, here are a few tips:

• Move waterlilies to deeper water: Submerging plants such as waterlilies in deeper parts of the pond can protect them from freezing.
  
  
• Move tender plants to a greenhouse: You can move tender marginals to a greenhouse and keep them in a bucket of pond water to keep them free of frost.
  
  
• Cut back dead foliage: Tidying up dead leaves will help prevent decay in the pond and reduce algae growth in the spring.  Care labels are provided with each of our plants, if you have misplaced the label, then all care information can be found on the plant product page too.
  
  
• Mulch around the edges: For marginal plants, you can add a layer of gravel to insulate the roots and protect them from frost.

By selecting the right plants and taking steps to protect them, you can ensure that your pond remains a vibrant and healthy space for both plants and wildlife throughout the colder months.

Your pond remains a lifeline to many creatures over the colder months, read our blog on How your Pond Helps to Sustain Wildlife Over Autumn and Winter.