Pond Plants

Both plants and fish function as part of a complete pond eco-system.  Plants reduce algae by offering shade (sunlight promotes algae blooms), and they also compete with algae for nutrients.  In addition, plants also provide shade for fish.

To establish a well-balanced eco-system, it is recommended that 2/3 of the water surface be covered with plants.  Thus, the larger your water feature, the more plants you will need.  Therefore are several types of pond plants: oxygenating plants, floating plants, deep water plants, and marginal plants.

Oxygenating plants are ideal for fish ponds because these plants consume fish waste and produce oxygen.  Examples of oxygenating plants include: Hornwort, Sagittaria, Canadian pondweed, and ribbon grass.

Floating plants prevent plant algae by providing more pond shade, thus blocking out sunlight on which algae thrives.  Examples of these plants include: Penny Wort, Floating Hearts, Forgbit, Water Hyacinth, Floating water lettuce.

Deep water plants provide decoration, shade, and shelter to fish in your pond.  Examples of deep water plants are: water lily, Aponogeton Distachyos, Nymphaea Gonnere, Nymphaea James Brydon, Nymphaea Attraction.

Marginal plants root several inches below the water level, with the remainder of the plant residing above the water’s surface.  These types of plants do best in areas of the pond where there is little water flow.  Examples of marginal plants include: Acorus, Calla, Caltha, Equiseturn Japonicum, Houttuynia, Lobelia, Phalaris, Scirpus, and Iris Laevigata.

Planting Baskets

Many pond owners use planting baskets to root pond plants.  These type of planting structures usually reside on a plant shelf in a pond, and they allow for optimal water and oxygen flow through the plant’s root system, while also preventing fish from destroying the plants.

Floating planter baskets are an easy way to add a planting surface to the middle of your pond.  These planters usually comprise a buoyant Styrofoam float that allows the planter to float on the water’s surface.  They usually come with an optional anchor that allows the basket to be anchored into place.