Bring your pond to life with our vibrant water plants. From colorful water lilies and hardy marginals to floating and tropical varieties, find everything you need to create a thriving, beautiful aquatic garden that attracts wildlife and blooms all season long.
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Deep Water
Bog & Marginal
Free-Floating
Water Plants FAQs
What water plants grow best in the Lehigh Valley, PA area?
The Lehigh Valley falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, which supports a wide variety of water plants. Top performers for our region include hardy water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), blue flag iris (Iris versicolor), cattails (Typha spp.), water hyacinth, and lotus (Nelumbo spp.). At Herbein’s, we hand-select varieties that are proven to thrive through our Pennsylvania winters and humid summers.
When should I plant water plants in Pennsylvania?
The best time to plant water plants in the Lehigh Valley is late spring, once water temperatures consistently reach at least 60°F — typically mid-May through June. Planting too early when water is still cold can stress plants and slow establishment. Tropical water plants should wait until after our last average frost date (around mid-April) and until water temps are reliably warm.
Do water plants come back every year in Pennsylvania?
It depends on the variety. Hardy water lilies, cattails, pickerelweed, and native marginals are perennial in Zone 6b and will return each spring. Tropical varieties — such as tropical water lilies and water hyacinth — are treated as annuals here in the Lehigh Valley, as they cannot survive our winters outdoors. Some gardeners bring tropical aquatics indoors to overwinter them successfully.
How do I overwinter my water plants in the Lehigh Valley?
For hardy perennial water plants, simply cut back dead foliage in late fall and sink pots to the deepest part of your pond, below the freeze line (at least 18–24 inches). For tropical varieties, you have two options: treat them as annuals and replace in spring, or bring them indoors to a warm, sunny location or aquarium over winter. Lotus tubers can be carefully stored in a cool, frost-free location in barely moist sand.
How much sun do water plants need?
Most flowering water plants — especially water lilies and lotus — require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to bloom well. Marginal plants like pickerelweed, rushes, and iris can tolerate partial shade (4–5 hours). If your pond or water feature is in a shadier spot in your Lehigh Valley yard, focus on foliage-forward plants like taro or horsetail, which perform better with less sun.
Do I need a filter or pump if I have water plants?
Not necessarily. A well-balanced pond with adequate plant coverage — ideally with plants covering 50–70% of the water surface — can naturally filter and oxygenate itself. Submerged oxygenators like anacharis work alongside surface plants like water lilies to keep algae in check. However, if your pond includes fish (especially koi), a pump and filtration system is strongly recommended to maintain water quality alongside your plantings.
Can I grow water plants in a container or small space?
Absolutely! Container water gardens are a popular option for Lehigh Valley gardeners with limited space — a half whiskey barrel, a large ceramic pot, or even a galvanized tub works beautifully on a patio or deck. A single dwarf water lily, a marginal plant, and a submerged oxygenator can create a fully balanced mini-pond. Just make sure your container holds at least 15–25 gallons for best results, and place it where it will get adequate sun.