21 Best Floating Plants for Small Water Gardens

A small water garden is a special place. The sound of water, the shine of leaves, and the gentle floating plants can turn it into a calm escape.

Floating plants don’t need soil, and most of them grow with very little care. They add beauty, color, and life to even the tiniest pond or container.

Here’s a list of the best floating plants to try in your small water garden.

1. Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is a favorite for water gardens. It grows tall, with bright green stems that twist or curve in fun shapes.

You can place it in shallow water with pebbles, and it will thrive without soil. It gives your garden a clean, tropical look while being very low-maintenance.

This plant is also believed to bring good luck and peace, making it a charming choice for your water feature.

2. Philodendron

Philodendrons are popular houseplants, but they can also grow beautifully in water. Their big green leaves float above the surface, creating a lush and bold look.

You can place the cuttings in a glass jar or let them trail from the edge of a small pond. They grow quickly and are easy to care for.

If you want a plant that brings jungle vibes to your water garden, philodendrons are a great pick.

3. Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is a lovely plant with white blooms and glossy leaves. It can grow in water without soil, making it perfect for small ponds or bowls.

When its roots sit in water, the plant stays happy and fresh. It is not only pretty but also helps clean the water around it.

The Peace Lily is great for adding brightness and charm, even to the smallest water garden space.

4. Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth is one of the most famous floating plants. It has shiny leaves and delicate lavender-blue flowers that add color to your pond.

The plant floats freely and spreads quickly, covering the water with greenery. It also helps keep the water clean by soaking up extra nutrients.

With its beauty and usefulness, Water Hyacinth can make your small water garden feel full and vibrant in no time.

5. Pothos

Pothos, also called Devil’s Ivy, grows wonderfully in water. Its long vines with heart-shaped leaves can float or hang over the edge of a container pond.

It grows fast and is almost impossible to kill, making it a favorite for beginners. Pothos is great for small spaces and adds a fresh green look.

If you want a plant that brings easy beauty without much care, Pothos is a perfect match.

6. Spider Plant

Spider Plants are tough, pretty, and fun to grow in water. Their narrow green leaves with white stripes create a soft fountain look over the surface.

You can float a Spider Plant in a jar or shallow pond, and it will thrive as long as its roots touch water. It also sends out baby plants that you can grow separately. A Spider Plant adds a playful and light touch to any water garden.

7. Anubias

Anubias is a hardy aquatic plant that loves life in water gardens. Its thick green leaves are slow-growing but very strong.

Unlike some floaters, it can handle shade well, which makes it a great choice for covered or indoor water gardens.

Anubias is small, neat, and easy to manage, so it won’t take over your space. This plant is a reliable choice for anyone who wants a calm, green accent in their pond.

8. Moss Balls (Marimo)

Moss Balls, or Marimo, are small, round balls of algae that float gently in water. They are soft, bright green, and super easy to care for.

You just drop them in your pond or bowl, and they’ll roll around slowly with the water. Moss Balls add a playful look to small water gardens and work well in jars too.

They are also believed to bring good luck, making them a fun choice for your setup.

9. Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen is a classic indoor plant that can also thrive in water. Its colorful leaves often have shades of green, silver, or even pink.

When placed in shallow water, it grows roots quickly and stays fresh. This plant brings a tropical look and a pop of color to your water garden.

It’s also very low-maintenance, which makes it perfect for beginners who want beauty without extra effort.

10. Dracaena

Dracaena is a tall, graceful plant with long, slim leaves. It grows well in water as long as its base is kept wet. Dracaena adds a bold, upright shape to small ponds or containers.

It looks striking when mixed with smaller floating plants, giving your water garden some height. Easy to care for and stylish, this plant is great for anyone who wants a clean, modern look in their garden space.

11. Water Lettuce

Water Lettuce is a true floating plant. Its soft, rosette-shaped leaves look like little green roses floating across the water.

This plant spreads quickly and creates a lush mat that shades the surface. It helps keep the water cooler and blocks algae growth.

Water Lettuce is easy to grow and looks great in small ponds or tubs, making it one of the best floaters for beginners.

12. Frogbit

Frogbit is a sweet little plant with round, floating leaves that look like mini water lilies. It floats gently on the surface and sends out roots into the water.

Frogbit grows quickly, forming a soft cover across your pond. It’s not too big, so it works really well in small water gardens.

This plant is perfect if you want a simple, classic floating plant that brings charm without taking over.

13. Duckweed

Duckweed is one of the tiniest floating plants. Its tiny green leaves spread across the water like a soft carpet. It grows very fast and helps keep the water clean by soaking up extra nutrients.

Duckweed also provides shade for fish and keeps algae under control. Since it is small, it’s easy to manage in little water gardens. If you want quick greenery, duckweed is one of the best picks.

14. Lotus (dwarf varieties)

Lotus is a stunning plant that can turn even the smallest water garden into a showpiece. Dwarf lotus types are perfect for small ponds or tubs.

Their big, round leaves float on the water, and their blooms are truly breathtaking. Lotus flowers come in shades of white, pink, or yellow and bring a sense of peace and beauty. Growing lotus may take some patience, but the reward is worth it.

15. Mosaic Plant

The Mosaic Plant is one of the most striking floating plants. Its leaves form star-shaped patterns that look like a mosaic on the water.

The small red and green leaves spread out beautifully, making the pond look artistic. This plant grows best in warm, sunny spots.

It’s not as common as water lettuce or duckweed, but it adds a unique and eye-catching touch to any small water garden.

16. Parrot’s Feather

Parrot’s Feather has soft, feathery leaves that float and trail across the water. The bright green foliage looks like underwater ferns and brings texture to ponds.

It can float on the surface or grow along the edges. This plant gives your water garden a natural, wild look while also offering cover for fish. Parrot’s Feather is a lovely choice if you want a plant that feels lively and full of movement.

17. Sensitive Plant

The Sensitive Plant is a fun and unusual water plant. Its small, fern-like leaves fold up when touched, which always surprises visitors.

This floating plant grows quickly and forms mats on the surface. Besides being playful, it also helps shade the water and keeps it cool.

If you want a plant that’s interactive and unique, the Sensitive Plant is a wonderful option for your small pond or tub garden.

18. Coontail

Coontail is a strong underwater plant that can also float near the surface. Its leaves look like bottlebrushes, giving the pond a soft and full look.

Coontail grows quickly and helps keep the water clear by soaking up nutrients. It’s a great plant for small ponds because it adds greenery without needing soil.

Coontail is hardy, easy to care for, and perfect for creating a natural look in your water garden.

19. Pickerel Plant

Pickerel Plant brings both greenery and color to your water garden. It has upright stems with glossy green leaves and bright purple flower spikes.

This plant grows in shallow water and looks beautiful along the edges of a pond or container. Pickerel Plant attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies too.

It’s a great way to add a burst of color while keeping your water garden natural and lively.

20. Blue Iris

The Blue Iris is a striking plant with tall stems and showy blue-purple flowers. It grows well in shallow water or at the edge of small ponds.

Blue Iris adds height, color, and elegance to water gardens. It blooms in spring or early summer and brings in pollinators.

This plant pairs beautifully with floating greenery, creating a balanced and colorful display in even the smallest water feature.

21. Sweet Flag

Sweet Flag is a grassy plant with bright, sword-like leaves. It grows well in shallow water or containers and adds height to your water garden.

The leaves give off a light, fresh scent when touched. Dwarf types of Sweet Flag are perfect for smaller ponds. They stay neat and don’t spread too much.

This plant is a lovely way to add both structure and fragrance to your garden’s design.

Final Thoughts

A small water garden feels complete when floating plants bring it to life. From the tiny duckweed to the grand lotus, each plant adds its own touch of beauty and calm.

Some grow quickly and cover the surface, while others stand tall and show off their flowers. Whether you choose a mix of bold bloomers or simple green floaters, these plants can turn any small pond or bowl into a peaceful, eye-catching retreat.