Plants are quite spectacular things, really. Not only are they largely responsible for the oxygen that allows us to live but there are thousands of different species in the natural world, many of which do so much more than just look pretty. Most plants, like human beings, also require water for sustenance but also like us, if you give too much water to some plants it can lead to disease.

There are other plants, however, that specialise in absorbing as much water as possible. These are the kind of plants that would ideally sit in a garden that gets a lot of rain or in a backyard that’s seeing excess water. Here, we’ll focus on the five plants we feel are best-suited for absorbing water and looking like they actually belong in a garden too.

1. Ferns

The great thing about ferns is that they look like they belong just about anywhere. There are also so many different types of fern, all of which will thrive in damp conditions. The reason ferns are so naturally great at absorbing water is because of their roots. Their roots are incredibly dense and can take a massive amount of water. Indeed, the more water they take the taller the fern will grow. Some ferns can reach as high as 6 feet! They do tend to take up a lot of space though.

2. Cattails

You might not have heard of cattails before but you’ve almost certainly seen them if you’ve ever visited a lake. These plants love water and are typically found close to large bodies of it. They also grow like weeds and can reach as high as ten feet tall. If you keep them under control though they can be quite pleasant and will attract wildlife too. Perfect pond plants.

3. Daylilies

These incredibly colourful flowers have been around for hundreds of years and there are thousands of different hybrids so you’ll rarely see one that’s exactly the same as another. They are also very easy to maintain and will often survive quite comfortably if left to their own devices. They do, however, absorb a lot of water so you’ll want to plant them in a location that gets a lot of it. You’ll also want to ensure the hole you dig for them is twice as deep and as wide as usual because their roots are major spreaders.

4. Iris

Renowned for their beauty, iris plants are winter bloomers that can bring a dazzling dash of colour to your garden. They are also largely maintenance-free and absorb lots of water. Plant them in a wet area and you’ll have a gorgeous bloom with very little effort. There are also so many different colours of iris to choose from (purple, yellow, blue and many more hybrid flowers) so whatever your colour preference, an iris has got you covered.

5. Trumpet creeper

Comfortably the most bizarre flower on this list, the trumpet creeper is a vine plant with a flower-shaped a little like a trumpet (hence the name). It’s also known for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, which is rarely a bad thing. It does have an invasive nature though, so you’ll need to keep it under control unless you want it dominating your entire garden.