The results for pollutant removal were significantly higher in the vertical subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) for most pollutants. The average removals were more than 80 % for BOD and COD; 50.6 % for Org-N; 72.2 % for NH4+, 50 % for Total-P and 96.9 % for TC. Only two pollutants were removed in statistically higher percentages in the horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (HFCW) (NO3−, 47.7 % and TSS, 82 % ). The pollutant removal efficiencies were similar to the results obtained in many studies with conventional macrophytes. Most ornamental plants survived the 12-month period of experimentation and their development depended on the type of constructed wetland they were planted. Z. aethiopica looked healthier and produced around 60 flowers in the HFCW. The other three species developed better in the VFCW, although A. andreanum died during the winter. S. reginae produced healthier flowers (and more) and bigger leaves and A. Agapanthus produced more leaves and more lasting flowers. This suggests that it is possible to produce commercial flowers in constructed wetlands without reducing the efficiency of the treatment system.