Looking for Pond Plants? What about Impatiens?
Looking for a fresh, colorful addition to your pond? You might be surprised to learn that Impatiens — yes, the same flowers you see in garden beds and hanging baskets — are secretly amazing pond plants.
Wait… Impatiens as Pond Plants?
That’s right! While most people think of pond plants as Water Lilies, Floating Hyacinth, or Pickerel Rush, there are plenty of terrestrial plants (that’s just a fancy word for “land plants”) that thrive in pond environments too. I call them Secretly Aquatic Plants — and Impatiens are at the top of the list.
Surely you have seen Impatiens in yards, gardens and pots all over! But did you know that they also THRIVE when planted in a stream or pond? They do! They aren’t some special pond plants either, “pond Impatiens”, just regular old impatiens!
Impatiens Work in Water
Impatiens grow incredibly well when placed directly into a stream or along the edge of your pond. While they don’t like stagnant water, a healthy pond with fresh, moving water is perfect for them.
These aren’t special “aquatic versions” of Impatiens either — just regular ones from the garden center!
There are a couple different kinds of Impatiens. There are Sun Impatiens and New Guinea Impatiens and just regular Impatiens. I am NOT referring to the Sun and New Guinea Impatiens. Just the regular ones!
Just regular impatiens! they come in 4 or 6 packs. White are great if your pond is in full sun.
Switching it up
Looking for color to soften and brighten the look of your water feature?
Impatiens come in a variety of colors and although they are an annual (meaning they won’t survive the winter and come back). Even though they have to be planted each Spring, they are totally worth it. I enjoy changing up the colors each year. A couple years ago I was loving the red- but I’m enjoying the light pink now.
Floating plants and even Impatiens can be placed in the rock tray of a bio fall or Filter falls. They will grow and hide the black lip of the equipment completely. (Not to mention help filter the water!)
Here’s what I do:
Take the Impatiens out of the pot, keeping the root ball intact.
Create a small pocket in your rocks where you can protect the root ball from moving water.
Nestle the plant in place. A little dirt might cloud the water at first, but it settles quickly.
You’ll be amazed how fast they grow! Tiny starter plants will become a lush mound of blooms in just a few weeks.
Floating plants and even Impatiens can be placed in the rock tray of a bio fall of Filter falls. They will grow and hide the black lip of the equipment completely. (Not to mention help filter the water!)
Want to read about other Secretly Aquatic Plants Or Marginal and Bog Plants? We have lots of info for you.
Kristi's Tips
Wondering about planting Petunias in the water? It doesn’t work! I’ve tried!
Did you know that many pond plants that are also common yard/garden plants will be sold as “aquatic plants”, when in fact they are THE SAME plant! Yep. Examples: Papyrus, Cork Screw Rush, Mint, and Creeping Jenny and Hardy Hibiscus (not Rose of Sharon). Have you tried a terrestrial plants as pond pants? Tried something new that worked? Let me know!
* This blog was NOT written by AI. This was written by me. I am not a professional writer, I am a pond person. Therefore, if you see a typo, please forgive me!
*No koi were harmed in the making of this content.