Abstract: As the indispensable materials of garden in the modern city, aquatic plants were the pillar of waterscape design. in this paper, we studied on the classification characteristics, landscape application and landscape prospect of aquatic plants in shanghai city by the way of taking pictures, looking up the information, tracking survey and listing forms to make a summary among the landscape architecture and wetland park in shanghai city. Based on investigation and analysis, the existing problems of aquatic plant in shanghai gardens was analyzed and common species were summarized.we also puts forward some suggestions to give full play to its ecological function and landscape value.