How to Make Your Pond Newt-Friendly

There’s something magical about spotting a newt gliding through the water or resting on a pond plant. The UK’s native newt species are struggling due to habitat loss, making it more important than ever to create a pond environment where they can thrive.

Newts are amphibians, meaning they live both in water and on land. They rely on ponds for breeding and development but spend much of the year hidden in damp, sheltered habitats around the pond. A well-designed pond with the right plants and features can provide a safe place for newts to breed, feed and shelter.

Why Are Newts Important?

Newts play an important role in the pond ecosystem. As amphibians, they help control insect populations while also providing food for birds, hedgehogs and larger aquatic species. Their presence is a sign of a healthy pond, as they thrive in clean, well-planted water that is free from fish, which eat their eggs and larvae.

There are three species of newt found in the UK:

Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) – The most common species, often found in garden ponds.
Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) – Typically found in acidic ponds in the south and west of the UK.
Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) – The largest and rarest, with distinctive warty skin and an impressive crest during the breeding season. Legally protected under UK and European law due to population declines caused by habitat loss. It is illegal to capture, harm or disturb them.

Make a few simple changes to your pond, and it will become a much-needed sanctuary for these fascinating creatures.

Creating a Newt-Friendly Pond

Newts rely on ponds for breeding but spend much of their time on land. A healthy, well-planted pond is essential for their survival, offering breeding sites, shelter and protection from predators.

To encourage newts;

Ensure your pond has sloping edges for easy access
No fish, as fish eat newt eggs and larvae
Plenty of pond plants for breeding and shelter
Place a log or stone pile near the pond or build a hibernaculum for shelter.

Newt Lifecycle and Habitat

Newts hibernate from November to February in log piles, compost heaps, or under rocks. As early as February or March, they return to ponds for breeding, laying eggs individually on soft-leaved plants like Water Forget-me-Not or Brooklime between April and June.

Newt larvae hatch in May, living underwater with external gills. By late summer, young newts, known as efts, develop legs and leave the pond to live on land until they mature. Since they rely on both water and land, planting the pond margins with species that encourage breeding and provide shelter, along with adequate pondside planting for cover on land, helps them move safely between their aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Pond Plants for Newts

Plants are essential for newts at every stage of their life cycle, providing shelter, breeding sites and protection from predators. During the breeding season, newts rely on soft-leaved aquatic plants to lay their eggs, carefully wrapping them for safety. As larvae hatch, oxygenator plants offer oxygen-rich water and hiding places, shielding them from fish, birds and other predators.

For adult newts, Waterlilies, Deep Water and Floating plants create resting spots and access points in and out of the pond. Beyond the water, dense pondside planting ensures safe passage between land and water, giving newts cover as they move and hibernate. A well-planted pond creates a balanced ecosystem, supporting not just newts but the insects they feed on, making it a thriving habitat for wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are newts reptiles or amphibians?
Newts are amphibians, meaning they live both in water and on land. Unlike frogs, they do not hop but move with a slinking, lizard-like motion.

When do newts lay eggs?
Newts lay eggs between April and June, carefully wrapping them inside the leaves of soft leaved aquatic plants to protect them from predators.

What do newts eat?
Newts are carnivores and help control insect populations. Their diet includes mosquito larvae, worms, slugs and small pond insects.

Do newts have predators?
Yes, newts face threats from a variety of predators. Birds such as herons and crows often prey on adult newts, while large fish, if present in a pond, can consume both adults and larvae. Frogs and toads may also feed on newt larvae and small mammals like hedgehogs occasionally hunt them on land. Creating a well-planted pond with a mix of oxygenating plants for underwater cover, surface-floating plants like Waterlilies and dense pondside vegetation, including ferns and bog-loving plants, provides essential shelter, helping to protect newts from predators and support a thriving, balanced habitat.

What is a hibernaculum?
A hibernaculum is a sheltered space where amphibians like newts, frogs and toads can safely hibernate during the colder months, protecting them from frost, predators and harsh weather.

You can create one by stacking logs, stones and branches in a shaded area near your pond, filling the gaps with soil, leaves, and bark to create insulation. Adding a layer of turf on top helps retain warmth and moisture, making it an ideal retreat for overwintering wildlife. It’s best to place the hibernaculum close to the pond but in a quiet, undisturbed spot with partial shade to prevent it from drying out. Damp, sheltered locations are most effective for supporting amphibians throughout the winter.

Are Newts Protected?
The Great Crested Newt is strictly protected under UK and European law, meaning it is illegal to capture, harm, or disturb them. Other species, such as the Smooth Newt and Palmate Newt, are not as heavily protected but still benefit from wildlife-friendly ponds.