Discover 15 beautiful water flowers that thrive in containers and vases. Learn how to grow and care for these aquatic plants to create stunning indoor and outdoor water gardens.
Water flowers can add a unique and refreshing touch to your home or garden. Whether you have a small balcony or a spacious backyard, growing water flowers in containers and vases is an excellent way to incorporate aquatic beauty into your space. Here’s a list of 15 water flowers that are perfect for container gardening, along with tips on how to grow and care for them.
List of Stunning Water Flowers for Containers
1. Water Lily (Nymphaea)
Water lilies are perhaps the most iconic of all aquatic flowers.
- Colors: White, pink, yellow, red
- Light: Full sun
- Container depth: 18-24 inches
- Care: Remove dead leaves and flowers regularly
Learn more about growing water lilies in containers
2. Lotus (Nelumbo)
Known for their large, striking flowers and distinctive seed pods.
- Colors: Pink, white, yellow
- Light: Full sun
- Container depth: 12-18 inches
- Care: Fertilize monthly during growing season
3. Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
Fast-growing floating plant with lavender flowers.
- Color: Lavender
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: Floats on surface
- Care: Remove excess plants to prevent overcrowding
4. Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides)
Delicate yellow flowers that float on the water’s surface.
- Color: Yellow
- Light: Full sun
- Container depth: 6-12 inches
- Care: Trim back if it spreads too much
5. Umbrella Palm (Cyperus alternifolius)
Adds vertical interest to water gardens with its unique foliage.
- Color: Green (foliage plant)
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: 2-6 inches of water above soil
- Care: Keep soil consistently moist
6. Mosaic Plant (Ludwigia sedioides)
Features unique diamond-shaped floating leaves and small yellow flowers.
- Color: Yellow flowers, reddish leaves
- Light: Full sun
- Container depth: 6-12 inches
- Care: Prune to control spread
7. Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)
Tall plants with beautiful blue-purple flower spikes.
- Color: Blue-purple
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: 6-12 inches
- Care: Divide every few years to maintain vigor
8. Floating Heart (Nymphoides)
Heart-shaped leaves with small, fringed flowers.
- Colors: Yellow or white
- Light: Full sun
- Container depth: 12-24 inches
- Care: Remove dead leaves to prevent decay
9. Dwarf Papyrus (Cyperus prolifer)
Grass-like plant with feathery umbels on top.
- Color: Green (foliage plant)
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: 1-3 inches of water above soil
- Care: Cut back old growth in spring
10. Water Snowflake (Nymphoides indica)
Delicate white flowers with fringed petals.
- Color: White
- Light: Full sun
- Container depth: 12-18 inches
- Care: Remove yellowing leaves
11. Bog Bean (Menyanthes trifoliata)
Three-lobed leaves and clusters of white or pink flowers.
- Color: White or pink
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: 2-6 inches
- Care: Divide every few years to control growth
12. Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
Large, elephant ear-like leaves add dramatic foliage to water gardens.
- Color: Green, purple, or variegated (foliage plant)
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: 1-6 inches of water above soil
- Care: Fertilize monthly during growing season
13. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Tall spikes of brilliant red flowers attract hummingbirds.
- Color: Red
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: Keep soil consistently moist
- Care: Divide every 2-3 years
14. Water Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpioides)
Clusters of small, bright blue flowers.
- Color: Blue
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: 1-3 inches of water above soil
- Care: Trim back to prevent spreading
15. Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)
Creeping plant with round leaves and tiny white flowers.
- Color: Green leaves, white flowers
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Container depth: 1-2 inches of water above soil
- Care: Trim regularly to control growth
Discover more aquatic plants for containers
General Care Tips for Container Water Gardens
- Use a high-quality aquatic soil or heavy garden soil
- Avoid using chemicals that might harm aquatic life
- Change water regularly to prevent algae growth
- Place containers in areas that receive appropriate light for the plants
- In winter, move tender plants indoors or protect from freezing
Growing water flowers in containers and vases is a wonderful way to add a touch of aquatic beauty to your home or garden. These 15 water flowers offer a diverse range of colors, shapes, and sizes to suit any taste or space. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of water lilies or the unique charm of floating hearts, there’s a water flower that’s perfect for your container garden. Remember to provide proper care and maintenance to ensure your aquatic plants thrive and bring joy for seasons to come.
Learn more about creating and maintaining water gardens
For more gardening tips and plant care guides, visit usagardenhub.com.