# Water plants for ponds and rills

Canonical: https://plantguide.ae/plants/category/aquatic · Updated: 2026-10-05
Source: Ghaf Gardens (https://plantguide.ae/plants/category/aquatic)

Water plants bring ponds, rills and pool-side water features to life, from floating leaves that shade the surface to marginal plants at the water's edge. In Dubai's heat shallow water warms quickly and evaporates fast, so a pond needs partial shade and regular topping up. Each plant below lists its sun and care needs.

## Water plants (4)

- **Water Lily** (water-lily) — Nymphaea (tropical hybrids) · زنبق الماء · aquatic, exotic · sun to part shade, high water · heat 4 salt 1 drought 1 shade 2 ease 3 · plant/sow Mar–May, Sep–Oct · [page](https://plantguide.ae/plants/water-lily.md)
- **Lotus** (lotus) — Nelumbo nucifera · لوتس · aquatic, exotic · full sun, high water · heat 5 salt 1 drought 1 shade 2 ease 3 · plant/sow Mar–Apr · [page](https://plantguide.ae/plants/lotus.md)
- **Papyrus** (papyrus) — Cyperus papyrus · بردي · aquatic, exotic · sun to part shade, high water · heat 4 salt 2 drought 1 shade 2 ease 3 · plant/sow Mar–May, Sep–Nov · [page](https://plantguide.ae/plants/papyrus.md)
- **Umbrella Sedge** (umbrella-sedge) — Cyperus involucratus · aquatic, adapted · sun to part shade, high water · heat 4 salt 2 drought 2 shade 3 ease 4 · plant/sow Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov · [page](https://plantguide.ae/plants/umbrella-sedge.md)