One of the perks of having a backyard pond is watching wildlife like turtles make your oasis their new home. They love basking in the sun on a log or popping their heads out of the water in hopes of being fed. If you want to encourage your local turtles to explore your pond, there are a few things you can do to make it more inviting.
Adding live plants to your turtle pond provides numerous benefits. They beautify the environment, create a more natural habitat for your turtle, help filter the water, and reduce algae growth. With so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to select the best plants for your pet’s home. In this article, I’ll share my top 15 recommendations to help you design the ideal pond
1. Water Lettuce
With its trailing roots and rounded leaves, water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a classic pond plant. Your turtle will love hiding among the roots of this floating plant. Water lettuce is also highly effective at removing ammonia, nitrogen, and other pollutants from the water. Plus, it helps control algae growth. I recommend partial shade if your pond is outdoors since this plant can burn in direct sunlight. Water lettuce has a moderate growth rate, so your turtle can nibble it without destroying the plant.
2. Water Hyacinth
Similar in appearance to water lettuce, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is another excellent floating plant. This hardy option can withstand a wide range of conditions, making it a great low-maintenance choice. Your turtle will relish munching on water hyacinth. And when it flowers, it adds beautiful pops of color to your pond.
3. Fairy Moss
Also called mosquito fern or Azolla, fairy moss (Azolla spp.) is a tiny floating plant that can quickly carpet the surface of untended ponds. But controlled fairy moss makes a fantastic addition to a turtle habitat. It thrives in the bright, nutrient-rich water that turtles require. And it helps deter algae growth by blocking light. Completely removing fairy moss once established can be challenging, so start with small amounts.
4. Waterweed
Waterweed (Anacharis spp.) is a popular oxygenating plant with fast-growing shoots. You can let it float freely or plant it. Waterweed requires moderate lighting. If planted it needs ample light to reach lower leaves. Larger turtles may uproot stems, so planting in pebbles or gravel helps secure the thin roots. Waterweed makes a tasty occasional treat for hungry turtles but can disappear fast if your turtle views it as an all-you-can-eat buffet.
5. Carolina Fanwort
Also known as cabomba Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) is a fully submerged plant. Just the small flowers and upper leaves sit above the waterline. Beneath the surface, the leathery green leaves grow in fan-like formations. This oxygenating plant hails from tropical South America. Your turtle likely won’t nibble this one but fanwort helps filter the water and provides cover.
6. Tape Grass
Tape grass (Vallisneria spiralis) is a versatile freshwater plant that thrives in tropical or temperate ponds. It makes an attractive habitat for pond fish while filtering the water. Tape grass has long green leaves with a ribbed texture. It spreads via runners. Turtles enjoy snacking on this hardy plant. But it’s tough enough to withstand some munching without being destroyed.
7. Dwarf Bulrush
With narrow blue-green stems and round seed heads, dwarf bulrush (Typha minima) suits smaller ponds. It grows to around 2 feet high. Dwarf bulrush survives freezing temperatures, making it a good year-round option. Your turtle might take an exploratory bite of the rigid stems but won’t actually eat this plant. The vertical shape and density of dwarf bulrush provide cover and interest.
8. Dwarf Rushes
Reaching just 6 inches tall, dwarf rushes (Juncus spp.) add texture with their spiky grass-like foliage. These shallow-water plants work well around pond edges and as accents. Although trampling by turtles is possible, dwarf rushes persist or regrow if temporarily removed. Let them spread to form an attractive emerald carpet. Several dwarf rush species offer subtle differences in size and form.
9. Dwarf Papyrus
For a touch of the tropics, try dwarf papyrus (Cyperus isocladus). This petite form of the papyrus plant has upright slender stems topped with umbels of green to brown bracts. It maxes out around 18 inches high, so it’s ideal for small ponds. The delicate dwarf papyrus leaves offer little for turtles to eat. But they make a beautiful, graceful accent plant.
10. Java Fern
Nearly indestructible, java fern (Microsorum pteropus) is an ideal beginner plant for turtle ponds. Java fern tolerates a wide range of conditions. And its leathery leaves seem unappealing to turtle palates, so they typically leave it alone. You will need to tie java fern to rocks or wood while it establishes roots. Then watch this attractive, low-maintenance plant thrive with minimal care.
11. Anubias
Similar to java fern, anubias (Anubias spp.) is hardy, slow growing, and rarely nibbled by turtles. Its broad, pointed leaves add texture and dimension. Native to African rivers and lakes, anubias does well partially or fully submerged. You can tuck it into crevices or use fishing line to attach it to hardscape. Anubias requires low light and provides shelter for fish.
12. Duckweed
Duckweed (Lemnoideae) is a classic tiny floating plant that spreads rapidly across still water. If you don’t scoop out excess growth, duckweed can coat the entire pond surface within days. But controlled amounts create lush green coverage that turtles adore. Duckweed thrives in the nutrient-rich water turtles produce and competes with algae. It also provides a snack for bold turtles and habitat for frogs.
13. Purple Pickerel
Though not a true pickerel plant, purple pickerel (Pontederia cordata) is a gorgeous bog plant for turtle ponds. Heart-shaped leaves emerge from underwater tubers on long stems. Delicate purple flowers appear in summer. While pickerel goes dormant in winter, the tubers survive freezing as long as they remain underwater. The vibrant foliage and flowers of pickerel stand out against still water.
14. Red Ludwigia
With olive-shaped leaves in red, green, and brown hues, red ludwigia (Ludwigia repens) adds drama below the water’s surface. Also called water primrose, this vigorous plant can adapt to fully or partially submerged conditions. It spreads quickly, so give it plenty of room. Red ludwigia needs soft, slightly acidic water to really flourish. But it adds striking color in turtle ponds with adequate lighting.
15. Tiger Lotus
Lastly, for ponds large enough to accommodate its substantial size, tiger lotus (Nymphaea lotus) provides impressive focal interest. The iconic round leaves radiate out across the water, with intriguing arrowhead shapes. Tiger lotus offers red, green, and multi-colored varieties to match your preferences and pond inhabitants. It truly thrives in hot weather but goes dormant below 50°F.
When planning your turtle pondscape, I recommend choosing plants suited to your climate and pond size that provide ample hiding spots. Combining floating, anchored, and submerged plants creates a balanced habitat. Hardy, fast-growing varieties make the best choices for turtle tanks. With the right plants, you can create an ideal naturalistic environment.
What does a turtle pond need?
Aquatic turtles enjoy spending a lot of time swimming in the pond but need to leave the water to forage for food, mating, and exploring. An area of the pond with gently sloped edges will attract wild turtles, making it easy for them to enter and exit the pond. Turtles do have claws that can scratch thinner pond lining, so a wood or plastic incline is recommended. You can also add a layer of large round stones around the ponds perimeter to create a barrier between their claws and any exposed liner.
Turtles are cold-blooded and require sunlight to regulate their body temperature. Turtles prefer to bask on floating islands or logs in the middle of the pond, further away from edges and shallow areas for protection. They typically do not like basking on the bank or being too close to the edge because it makes them more vulnerable to predators. Most turtle predators will not swim in the water to hunt. They will stay on the edge of the pond in the shallow areas to look for an easy meal.
Turtles need sunlight but also enjoy the shade. In the warmest summer months, the turtles will be looking for shade to escape the heat. The pond should be located in an area that receives both sunlight and shade. If the pond receives too much sunlight, it can increase algae production and affect water quality. You can use a pond canopy or plant larger trees and foliage to add shade.
Adding life to you pond can throw off the balance. Like any animal, turtles produce waste. Additional filtration will help counter the higher nutrient load and restore the balance of the ecosystem of your pond. A Filter Box protects your pump, helps remove debris, and promotes beneficial bacteria growth, which work together to keep your pond clean. Add a Pond Nozzle Kit to boost aeration. If you anticipate a need for extra filtration and circulation, the Filter Kit with Pump is the complete package and is perfect when adding aquatic animals.
When turtles feel threatened, they will hurry into the water and find a place to hide. Floating plants like lilies and water lettuce are great for providing shade while also helping turtles and other pond life hide, especially in shallow areas. Emergent plants can be placed around the edge of the pond to make it harder for predators to hunt. Submerged plants also help provide protection deeper into the water. You can turn clay pots on their side and let them sink to the bottom of the pond for an even better hiding place. Read about pond plants that filter water to help promote a healthy ecosystem. Consider using an Aquatic Plant Basket to make adding plants even easier.
Turtles are omnivores; they eat both plants and animals. Turtles will snack on the plants in and around the pond, as well as any small fish, slugs, snails, and bugs. Turtles will enjoy eating smaller guppies and minnows. If you have koi and goldfish, keeping your turtles properly fed may help reduce any accidental fin munching. Turtle food can be found in most pet stores. If you want to attract turtles into your pond, try to plant local foliage. Wild turtles will already be used to eating these plants.
Turtles enjoy burrowing in mud and leaves for the winter, but debris can lead to poor oxygen and water quality. You can fill a tray with sand and place it in the deepest part of the pond, the turtles can burrow in it without affecting water quality.
Stop feeding the turtles when the water temperature reaches 50° F. Their metabolisms will slow down, and be unable to digest the food. If you purchase exotic turtles from the pet store, they are often native to warmer climates. They may need to be moved indoors for the winter in a climate-controlled aquarium or indoor pond.
Turtles enjoy exploring and occasionally digging. Females will need an area of sand or dirt to lay their eggs. You can create a little area of soil and sand for the turtles to forage, lay their eggs, and hang out outside of the pond. The spot needs to be ideally within 100 yards of the pond for optimum egg laying.
Safe Aquatic Plants for Turtle Tanks (yes…live plants)
FAQ
What plants are good for turtle ponds?
The best floating plants for keeping the pond clean are hyacinth, duckweed, and water lettuce. Unfortunately, aquatic turtles like to nibble on these. There are floating mesh baskets that you can purchase to protect the plants. Doing so also provides some shade to deter algae bloom and improves the overall appearance.
What can I put in my pond for turtles?
Invest in High-Quality Pond Liners
Turtles also like to have a substrate in the pond so invest in some sand or smooth river rocks so your turtle can dig. If you choose to place river rocks in your pond, be sure they are quite large (bigger than your turtle’s head)so they can’t be eaten.
What plants are safe for turtle enclosures?
Ferns and hostas are always a great choice for a shady spot in a box turtle enclosure. Also, you can grow wood violets, groundcovers like creeping jenny, and there is a family of grasses called Carex or sedges that grow in the shade and make an enclosure look very natural. All of these are very easy to grow.