Plants That Need a Lot of Water to Grow

Water Chestnut

• If you grow the water chestnut (Pachira aquatica) away from water or wet areas, keep it watered constantly. This native of northern portions of Latin America grows even where water floods your property during part of the year. Water chestnut is a broadleaf, evergreen tree that needs warm weather to survive, making it suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. Water chestnut attains heights between 20 and 30 feet in a landscaping scenario, but remains small enough as a houseplant to work as a container tree, as long as you water it regularly.

White Alder

• The white alder (Clethra barbinervis), also known as Japanese clethra, grows from 10 feet tall to 20 feet, with a spread up to 15 feet. This deciduous shrub species does very well in damp areas, making it useful for plantings near ponds and in water gardens. White alder's ideal setting is one with some shade and moist, acidic soil. White alder flowers during July and August; the white blooms attract bees, butterflies and are quite fragrant. White alder adds color to the autumn season when its dark green foliage turns tints of yellows and reds.

Greater Masterwort

• Do not allow the soil you plant greater masterwort (Astrantia major) in to dry out, since the species needs moisture to thrive. Climates featuring cool summer nights are best for this perennial, which survives from USDA zones 4 through 7. The flowers bloom from May through July on this plant, which sometimes reaches 3 feet high. Greater masterwort works well in a perennial border, but also in woodland gardens where the ground stays damp.

London Planetree

• When you have a large tract of land with damp conditions, the London planetree (Platanus x acerifolia) is a potential option as a landscaping species. Growing to heights up to 80 feet, this cross between the American sycamore and the oriental planetree features lobed leaves as wide as 10 inches and fruits that develop in pairs or threes and remain on the tree through winter. London planetree flourishes in full sun and is able to grow in urban settings despite pollution's effects. London planetree has a yellowish inner bark that the peeling outer layer allows you to view, giving the trunk and branches ornamental worth.