In order to screen the floating-bed plants suitable for efficient purification of the pollutants in the industrialized Cyprinus carpio culture waters, the growth characteristics and purification effects of 16 species of ornamental plants on total nitrogen, total phosphorus, copper, zinc, mercury and lead in the waters were studied. The results showed that the average height, root length, and biomass (dry weight) significantly increased, and the purification effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, zinc, mercury, and lead were excellent. The contents of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, copper, zinc, mercury and lead within the 16 species of plants were widely different. The content of total nitrogen in Dracaena sanderiana which was (2.82 ± 0.10)% was the highest, and the total phosphorus content in Dieffenbachia picta and Anthurium andraeanum which were (0.41 ± 0.01)% were the highest. The contents of Cu, Zn, and Pb in Lythrum salicaria were the highest, as well as the content of Hg in Coleus blumei. The TN and TP in Arundo donax var. versicolor and Iris pseudacorus were the highest, and the Cu, Zn and Hg in Lythrum salicaria was the highest, as well as the Pb uptake of Arundo donax var. versicolor. There is a significant correlation between the acumulated amount with the biomass regarding the TN, TP, and Pb in the 16 species of plants. Iris pseudacorus, Arundo donax var. versicolor, and Lythrum salicaria could be used as potential plants to remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metal pollutants in industrialized aquaculture water.