A floating garden is an island of plants that sits on the surface of a pond: the roots grow straight into the water while flowers and foliage rise above it. It brings a pond to life and gives fish shade and insects shelter. Here is where floating gardens exist around the world, which plants suit an island and how to build one yourself.
Plants for the garden and terrace are in our potted plants section.
Dal Lake, Kashmir (India). For centuries locals have grown vegetables on floating beds made of compacted water plants and silt.
Inle Lake, Myanmar. Floating beds anchored with bamboo poles, used among other things for growing tomatoes.
Chinampas, Mexico City. The famous Aztec “floating gardens” do not actually float: they are artificial islands anchored in shallow water. Some chinampas in Xochimilco are still farmed today.
Choose marginal and bog plants that tolerate permanently wet roots: yellow flag iris, water forget-me-not, marsh marigold, mint, sedges, arrowhead, flowering rush. Native species are the best choice.
Do not use water hyacinth or other invasive species where they could reach natural waters: water hyacinth is on the EU list of invasive species and can cover the entire water surface.
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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Hydrangeas
