Tiny pond ideas for small gardens – 5 clever ways to create a miniature oasis no matter the size of your space

Urban dwellers, assemble: tiny pond ideas for small gardens are making a big splash in the gardening world, which means that, whether you have a patio, balcony, or courtyard – you can absolutely reap the benefits of your own personal oasis.

That's right; garden pond ideas are no longer reserved for those of us with bigger backyards, as there's a growing trend in the US of creating ultra-small, container-based ponds – often referred to as 'bucket ponds' or mini wildlife ponds.

Why? Because water brings life, drawing in birds, insects, frogs, and countless other creatures, transforming even the smallest of outdoor spaces into a thriving wildlife haven. And, better still, modern research has shown time and time again that blue spaces (water) are hugely beneficial to our own mental health, too.

Tiny pond ideas for small gardens

It is a truth universally acknowledged that simply being close to water makes you inherently feel calmer and more at ease. Thankfully, you don’t need acres of land or a formal pond installation to enjoy the benefits.

'If you have a small garden, or if you only have enough space for something small on a balcony, there's no need to worry,' reassures Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nurseries. 'You can even get use out of an old – or new – container to add a small pond to any space!'

With that in mind, then, here are a few expert-approved tiny pond ideas for small gardens – as well as tips on how to make each one work beautifully in your garden, balcony, or urban courtyard.

Tammy Sons

Tammy Sons is the founder/CEO of TN Nursery, and an expert in horticulture thanks to her studies at Tennessee State University. A lover of native plants, her company has been active in the nursery industry for over 60 years and three generations, continuing to help the world grow (naturally) year after year.

1. The bucket pond

Probably one of the simplest tiny pond ideas for small gardens, this low-effort, high-reward idea involves using (surprise) a galvanised bucket, old kitchen sink, or large plant pot to create a standing pond for wildlife.

'For small spaces and balconies, a pond bucket is an ideal way to easily create a pond for wildlife. I used to have one in the small back garden of a rented urban house. We had a resident frog that used to stretch out in the sun on a stone placed in the pond,' says Ellen Mary Webster, author and professional gardener.

To make this one a reality, Ellen Mary says you should 'choose a container which is non toxic and completely watertight such as a bucket, planter, old kitchen sink with the plug filled in… or anything you can recycle'.

'Ideally the pond bucket will need to be in a part sun position and on a level surface,' she adds, noting that you will need to 'add gravel or small pebbles to the bottom of the bucket and create a slope up the side of the container or bucket with stones or driftwood so animals can get in and out safely'.

'This is crucial, or wildlife will not be able to get out. And make sure there are some other containers of plants around the pond for animals to move on to when they leave the pond,' she finishes.

You may need:

• Galvanised bucket or large planter, like this galvanized steel bucket from Amazon
• Aquatic compost (try Amazon's Tetra Pond aquatic compost pond soil)
• Gravel – or even something more rustic, like these unpolished stone pebbles from Amazon
• Wildlife ramp or flat stone

Ellen Mary says you should also include a good mix of pond plants 'to help balance the ecosystem and provide oxygen'.

'Oxygenators will oxygenate the water, keeping it clean; floating plants provide shade and reduce algae; and marginal plants are placed around the edges within the water, providing habitat and lots of interest,' she explains.

'A mix is important to keep the pond healthy.'

Ellen Mary Webster

Ellen Mary is an experienced horticulturist, author and wellness advocate, and has appeared on TV in the USA and the UK. She has also spoken at shows around the world for many years, including BBC Gardeners World Live and RHS Hampton Court to name a few, and as a copywriter has articles published in many magazines, including Amateur Gardening Magazine and Grow Your Own.

2. The brick-edged mini pond

If you have a little more space, a small, sunken pond lined with bricks or reclaimed stones can be a great option for small gardens, offering a naturalistic look and providing easy access for wildlife.

All you have to do is dig a shallow hole and line it with a flexible pond liner (like this PVC pond liner from Amazon), then add bricks or stones around the edge. Finally, fill it with rainwater and plant up with natives like water mint and marsh marigold.

Alternatively, of course, you could make good on your favourite fairy garden ideas and pick up a whimsical ready-made option like this MiniGardenn miniature fairy garden pond from The Home Depot.

3. The barrel pond

Quirky and practical, an old barrel (or even a sink or ceramic basin) can help you make good on your tiny pond ideas for small gardens, particularly if you're working with a courtyard or cottage garden-style space.

'If you're going for a garden pond, you can use something like a half-barrel or large tub lined with a pond liner,' explains Tammy, noting that all you really need to do beforehand is making sure the ground is level before placing the container.

Sealant or waterproof putty, like this moldable plumbers putty from Amazon, can be used to prep your barrel/seal the plug hole of your sink or basin, but you'll likely still need a pond liner.

You should also pick up a mini-pump for circulation (something like Upettools submersible water pump from Amazon could work, aquatic compost and gravel. And 'don't forget to throw in some plants that are meant for circulating oxygen, like hornwort and small water lilies,' adds Tammy.

4. The plant pot pond

Did you know that you could use containers and plant pots as part of your tiny pond ideas for small gardens? Perfect for balconies and compact spaces, this option involves – you guessed it – repurposing a large ceramic pot or terracotta planter.

'Make sure it can handle the weight of the water added, and be sure to put down a waterproof seal or liner beforehand to avoid any possible leaks,' says Tammy.

Again, you'll want to add aquatic compost and introduce small floating plants and oxygenators to keep your water in peak condition. 'Look for dwarf varieties like mini lilies or dwarf cattails,' advises Tammy, 'and use a small solar pump.'

Be sure to pick up some natural pea gravel from Amazon to help boost the stability of your plant pot pond.

5. The vertical wall pond

If you have a little more money to spend on making your tiny pond ideas for small gardens a reality, you could opt for a water wall or cascading pond mounted to a fence or wall.

Perfect when ground space is at a premium, it requires you to call in a professional to install a vertical fountain panel, along with a solar or mains-powered mini pump. Be sure to add trailing greenery to soften the effect.

On the other hand, you could always pick up something like Amazon's Alpine Corporation cascading stone wall fountain with LED lights seen above and have a go at installing it yourself.

FAQs

How do you make a small pond in a small garden?

There are lots of ways to make a small pond in a small garden, but the easiest way by far is to create a drink-and-bathe zone for birds, bees, and butterflies with a shallow dish filled with fresh water.

All you need to do is take a wide saucer or stone dish, add small stones or shells for safe footing, place it in dappled shade, and be sure to top it up (ideally with rainwater) regularly.

Does a mini pond need a pump?

You might think that a mini pond needs a pump, but that isn't necessarily true –especially if it's been upcycled from an old barrel or oversized pot. In fact, if your aim is to create a wildlife-friendly container pond, still water is actually preferable as it doesn't disturb the natural behaviours of any visiting critters.

That being said, you will need to include lots of submerged plants, floating plants, and marginal plants to add oxygen to the water if you eschew a pump. And, if you’re dreaming of adding movement – like a fountain – or wish to keep mosquitoes at bay in warmer climates, a small solar-powered pump like the Alpine Corporation energy-saving pump from Amazon could be a great addition.

It’s all about how you want your pond to look, sound, and support the surrounding ecosystem.

What is the best shape for a small pond?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, always, but the best shape for a small pond is a circular or oval one as it promotes better water flow. This, in turn, stops any 'dead spots' forming where bad bacteria and algae can grow – and makes it a lot easier to clean your outdoor oasis, too.

When thinking about how to build a pond from scratch – tiny or otherwise – there's a lot to think about, from whether you want to incorporate water feature ideas to how you want it to play into your existing backyard landscaping ideas.

To that end, then, we recommend sitting down and figuring out exactly what you want from your tiny pond ideas before you get started. Then, and only then, should you pop back here and take inspiration from all of our wonderful options.