Aquatic Flowers to Grow in Water
Amazon Sword (Echinodorus) Amazon swords are one of the most popular indoor flowering plants that grow immersed in water. This species of attractive, easy-care aquatic plants has long triangular leaves and small flowers that grow on long submerged stems. Amazon sword plants are annual or perennial plants that grow well in low light in aquariums.
Anubias Anubias is a genus of short aquatic plants that can produce – unlike most aquatic plants – flowers that wholly submerged in water. Anubias plants produce small creamy-white flowers that look like underwater peace lilies with a spathe and spadix. These low-maintenance, low-light water plants have thick dark leaves, and their leaf shape depends on the species.
Fanwort (Cabomba Aquatica) Cabomba aquatica is a perennial flowering plant that thrives in water. As a popular aquarium plant, Cabomba aquatica produces dainty yellow flowers. This aquatic plant grows and flowers floating on the water or rooted in the aquarium substrate. The attractive feathery leaves are ideal for an aquarium backdrop.
Fragrant Water Lily Flower (Nymphaea odorata) The white water lily is one of the best floating flowering aquatic plants for ponds or water gardens. Fragrant water lilies have large, showy white flowers, massive flat green leaves, and a sweet scent. The most attractive feature of water lilies is their large blossoms sitting on top of the water.
American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) The American lotus flower is a striking perennial aquatic plant for ponds. American lotus plants have huge umbrella-like leaves up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) across. Large pale yellow flowers emerge from water on the end of stiff stems. Spectacular lotus flowers can grow up to 1 ft. (0.3 m) across.
Water Hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) Water hawthorn or cape pondweed is an aquatic plant with flowers emerging from the water. Water hawthorn plants are an ideal choice for growing in ponds, fishponds, or water gardens. The floating leaves and the flowers above the water’s surface create a cover of green foliage and white flowers.
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Water hyacinth is an ornamental floating aquatic flower that has stunning pink, violet or pale blue blossoms. Water hyacinth flowers grow as colorful spikes emerging from thick glossy foliage. The leaves and flowers float on the water’s surface, where it quickly grows and spreads.
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) Pickerelweed is a flowering plant that grows in ponds, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. As an aquatic plant, pickerelweed is an emergent plant—its roots grow in submerged soil, and foliage and flowers grow above the water. Pickerelweed produces spikes of purple flower clusters and has large green leaves.
Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) Broadleaf arrowhead is a marginal aquatic perennial flowering plant for water gardens and ponds. As its common name suggests, broadleaf arrowhead plants have large arrow-shaped leaves. Leaves can grow submerged or emerged, and white flowers rise above the water’s surface.
Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) Water poppies are marginal perennial pond plants with leaves that float on water and 3-petaled flowers that grow on top of erect stems. Water poppy plants have small yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer. The rounded leaves of water poppies are about 3” or 4” across, and they spread across the surface of ponds.