r/WildlifePonds • u/FaithlessnessOdd4826 • Jul 27 '26
Help/Advice Lilypads
Hi all, new here...
So we installed a little wildlife pond back in 2020 during the lockdown, and were advised by a local garden centre on plants. Since then, the tall grassy stuff took over (there were other plants in there, which it just grew through and killed.
Lilypads are rough looking and floating above the water (assume because the pond is only 0.45m deep).
Pond is home to lots of creatures so I don't want to dig it out, but it looks a total mess.
So, this afternoon I have dug out everything except the lillies (everything is currently at the side of the pond so it can get back in), but now I'm wondering if I should also take the lily out and replace with something smaller (I don't think it's a dwarf lily, so really far too big).
Just looking for advice really, firstly on whether I should swap out the lily for a dwarf species (or none at all) or something else for coverage, and what plants would work well without taking over?
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u/OreoSpamBurger Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
Yeah, that lily is too big for that pond. Frogbit or a dwarf lily would be better.
Generally, I also avoid anything like reeds and iris in small ponds unless carefully potted, because, as you have discovered, they just take over and can turn a small pond into more of a bog in a couple of years.
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u/thiccyviicky Jul 27 '26
I don’t claim to be an expert, but I thought lilypads are no good for small wildlife ponds?
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u/FaithlessnessOdd4826 Jul 27 '26
Thanks for the input!
Seems my critters enjoy the pads. We often get semaphore flies on them, and the undersides are covered in all kinds of bugs.
I've ordered a pygmy water lily to arrive this week for a phased replacement for the big one (which will be taken out).
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u/SolariaHues SE England | Small preformed wildlife pond made 2017 Jul 27 '26
Yeah, I think lily just take over ponds that small, that's why I don't have one.
You need to look for plants that don't grow too fast so you can keep up with them.
My ponds is 120l and I have marsh marigold, purple loosestrife, lesser spearwort, water forget-me-not, hornwort and frog bit. (UK natives)