Top 10 Plants You Need for an Indoor Pond

An indoor pond brings the tranquility of nature inside, and the right plants can make it a captivating focal point. 

Not only do these plants add beauty, but many also help purify the water, create shelter for aquatic life, and contribute to the pond’s ecosystem. 

Whether you’re aiming for a lush, tropical look or a minimalist water garden, there are plants to suit every style and level of maintenance.

Here are the top ten plants that thrive in indoor ponds, adding texture, color, and a sense of serenity.

1. Water Lettuce

Water lettuce is an attractive floating plant with velvety, rosette-shaped leaves that float on the pond’s surface, adding a soft, green hue to the water. 

It grows quickly, creating a natural cover over the pond that helps prevent algae growth by blocking sunlight.

Water lettuce is also excellent at absorbing nutrients from the water, which can help maintain water clarity. 

While it doesn’t require much maintenance, you may need to occasionally thin out the plant if it starts to cover too much of the pond’s surface. 

This plant thrives in warm environments, making it ideal for indoor ponds where temperatures are stable.

2. Duckweed

Duckweed is a tiny floating plant that forms a lush green carpet on the water’s surface, adding a natural, wild look to your indoor pond. 

It grows quickly and is excellent at absorbing excess nutrients, which can help control algae.

Duckweed requires little maintenance, though it can multiply quickly, so you might need to remove some occasionally to prevent overcrowding. 

Its small size makes it suitable for ponds of any size, and it creates a soft, natural habitat for fish and other aquatic life. 

Duckweed is also a great choice for those who want a very low-maintenance plant to add color and coverage.

3. Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth adds a pop of color with its beautiful lavender or light blue flowers, creating a stunning focal point in your indoor pond. 

It also has large, rounded leaves that float on the surface, helping to shade the pond and reduce algae growth.

This plant is great for nutrient absorption and helps keep the water clean, making it a functional choice as well as an ornamental one. 

Water hyacinth is best suited for larger ponds, as it grows fairly large and can multiply quickly. 

Regular thinning will keep it from overtaking smaller ponds while still allowing it to provide its aesthetic and functional benefits.

4. Anacharis (Waterweed)

Anacharis is a popular submerged plant known for its long, green stems covered with feathery leaves that create an elegant, flowing appearance. 

This plant grows entirely underwater, making it ideal for adding depth and interest below the surface of your pond.

Anacharis is also highly beneficial for indoor ponds as it produces oxygen and absorbs excess nutrients, helping to maintain a healthy balance in the water. 

It’s a hardy plant that requires minimal care and does well in a range of water conditions, making it a favorite among indoor pond enthusiasts. 

Its dense foliage offers shelter for fish and other aquatic life, adding to the pond’s ecosystem.

5. Dwarf Papyrus

Dwarf papyrus brings a striking, vertical element to your indoor pond, with tall, reed-like stems that terminate in delicate, feathery tufts. 

This semi-aquatic plant grows best in shallow water or around the edges of your pond, where its roots can stay submerged while its foliage reaches above the surface.

It adds height and texture, creating a lush, tropical feel that can make your pond look like a miniature marshland. 

Dwarf papyrus is relatively low-maintenance and grows well indoors as long as it gets indirect light. 

This plant works well with a variety of pond designs and can add an eye-catching architectural element.

6. Spider Lily

The spider lily is a beautiful flowering plant that brings elegance to an indoor pond, with slender green leaves and delicate white flowers that float on the water’s surface. 

Its flowers have a distinct, spidery look that gives this plant its name, and they add a lovely fragrance to the room as well.

Spider lily thrives in warm, humid environments and needs consistent light to bloom, making it ideal for bright indoor settings. 

This plant grows best along the edges of the pond, with its roots submerged in water. 

Spider lily is relatively low-maintenance and can be a great choice if you’re looking to add flowers to your pond setup.

7. Umbrella Palm

The umbrella palm, also known as umbrella sedge, is a unique and stylish addition to any indoor pond. 

It has slender, tall stems that fan out at the top, resembling an umbrella shape, which adds an exotic, tropical feel to your space.

This plant thrives in shallow water, so it’s best planted near the pond’s edge where its roots can stay submerged. 

Umbrella palm is easy to care for, and it grows well in low to medium light conditions, making it a great choice for indoor environments. Its structured look adds height and dimension, enhancing the pond’s aesthetic.

8. Pickerel Plant

The pickerel plant brings a vibrant splash of color to indoor ponds, with its tall, green stems topped with blue or purple flowers. 

This plant is perfect for adding vertical interest and creating a more natural pond look. 

It’s a relatively low-maintenance plant that enjoys shallow water and indirect light, making it ideal for indoor settings.

Pickerel is also beneficial for the pond’s ecosystem, as it helps absorb nutrients and keeps the water clean.

Its flowers attract pollinators like bees when placed outdoors, but indoors it simply serves as a colorful and attractive plant that livens up your pond.

9. Floating Moss Balls (Marimo Moss)

Floating moss balls, or marimo moss, are small, round algae balls that bring a unique, minimalist aesthetic to an indoor pond. 

They’re easy to care for, requiring only occasional rinsing and gentle handling. Moss balls are excellent for absorbing impurities, which can help maintain water quality and clarity.

They don’t require planting, as they simply float or sit on the bottom of the pond, making them an ideal choice for low-maintenance or smaller indoor ponds. 

Marimo moss balls grow slowly and require minimal light, making them perfect for indoor use. Their unusual appearance and simple maintenance make them a popular choice for pond enthusiasts.

10. Water Lilies

Water lilies are a classic choice for ponds, with their iconic round leaves and stunning blooms that add elegance to any setting. 

While they’re often seen in outdoor ponds, there are also dwarf varieties that do well in indoor ponds. 

Water lilies require a bit more care, as they need ample sunlight to thrive and occasional pruning to maintain their shape.

Their floating leaves provide shade for the water, helping to control algae growth, and the flowers add a romantic touch. 

Water lilies can be the crowning feature of an indoor pond, and their beauty is well worth the extra care they may require. 

For an indoor pond with ample natural light, water lilies can create a serene, magical atmosphere.