Creating an Indoor Garden Pool: Tropical Plants and Year-Round Color

The Indoor Garden Pool: A Tropical Extravaganza

With sufficient light and warmth, an indoor pool can host a stunning array of exotic aquatic plants, creating a near year-round spectacle of color. In a heated conservatory, the display persists through winter, though shorter days and dull skies may cause some spectacular species to sulk.

Creating an Exotic Effect

Among tropical aquatics, Egyptian papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is a towering, spidery palm-like plant that retains its character year-round if temperatures are maintained. For smaller pools, the compact cultivar 'Haspan' offers similar impact and can even thrive in an indoor tub or aquatic planter.

Thalias, with their banana-plant-like foliage, provide a regal tropical presence and are surprisingly tough. Pair them with papyrus and disguise containers by underplanting with parrot's feather (Myriophyllum proserpinacoides), a hardy scrambler that thrives in warmth.

Waterlilies become the centerpiece of any indoor water feature. Tropical varieties demand still water—no fountains or cascades—but their breathtaking blooms compensate for the lack of moving water, especially since they can be enjoyed day and night. Tropical waterlilies split into day-flowering and nocturnal groups. Night-blooming waterlilies are the most spectacular: imagine 30 cm (12 in) velvety blossoms unfurling at sunset. These can even be cut for indoor table decorations. Though exotic, they are not difficult if kept consistently warm, but they benefit from a dormant period—lift and store in cool, frost-free conditions, then restart each spring like tuberous begonias.

Lotus (Nelumbo) should be treated similarly. While not strictly requiring annual lifting, doing so allows compost replacement each spring—wise because lotus are heavy feeders and rapid growers. The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is often too large for conservatory pools, but compact cultivars like double-carmine 'Momo Botan' (rarely exceeding 45 cm/18 in) flower beautifully even in a tub.

Tub Culture: Flexible Indoor Aquatics

Containers offer versatile options for indoor aquatic cultivation. Many popular varieties thrive as solitary specimens in water-filled tubs with soil or aquatic compost. Avoid mixed planting to create a balanced ecosystem; instead, enjoy each plant for its own merits.

If space allows, group several containers of similar height and surround them with log roll (sold for path edging) to create a neat, flexible feature that can be adjusted to remove spent plants. Even smaller features—large terracotta vases or bowls with oriental designs—can host individual tropical aquatics, bringing exotic beauty to any living room or conservatory. Tropical aquatic plants are not solely for pool owners; their versatility lets anyone enjoy them regardless of circumstances.