Aquatic Pond Plants

What are Aquatic Pond Plants?

Aquatic plants are plants that live in either saltwater or freshwater. These unique plants have acquired several adaptations to thrive in the water, such as spongy, air-filled tissues for underwater respiration, and floating leaves. Aquatic plants you might be familiar with are the highly versatile waterlily, the stunningly beautiful lotus flower, and the delicate white or yellow flowers fondly known as floating heart.

Benefits of Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants, also called macrophytes, are primary producers. This means that they are an essential part of the food web. Plus, many species of aquatic plants act as sponges, filtering the water by absorbing and trapping excess sediment and environmental pollutants. They also provide food for fish and other wildlife. Aquatic plants benefit a koi pond by providing the necessary cover for the fish and hiding places for the spawn.

Additionally, pond plants keep unwanted algae at bay. In larger ponds, aquatic plants around the shoreline protect the land from erosion. Finally, these unique plants oxygenate the water, helping it stay healthy and pure.

Types of Pond Plants

There are three basic types of pond plants classified according to their positioning in the water. These types are floating, submergent, and bog. Each type of plant offers unique benefits to your pond.

Floating Pond Plants

Floating pond plants are unique because their roots are submerged in the water, while the rest of the plant floats above, adding beauty, color, and texture to your pond while providing shelter and food for the local fauna. Many floating plants work well in koi ponds. Because of the varying sizes, you should select your floating plants based on the size and depth of your pond. Duckweed is a prolific plant that will fill in large ponds and attract waterfowl. However, this plant is so prolific that you will need to thin it regularly to keep it in check. A beautiful floating plant suitable for smaller, shallower ponds is water hyacinth.

Submerged Pond Plants

Submerged pond plants are different from floating pond plants in that their roots are located at the bottom of the pond, while the bulk of the plant grows underwater. The leaves and flowers of submerged pond plants either remain fully immersed, or the tips may protrude out of the water. One example of a beneficial submerged pond plant is the large-leaf pondweed. This substantial submerged plant provides an ideal habitat for fish. Two other submerged pond plants, wild celery and coontail, offer fish a reliable food source.

Bog Pond Plants

Bog pond plants grow in wet soil where the water line stays beneath the soil level. Bog plants are ideal for the damp but not submerged soil on the edges of your pond. Some popular bog pond plants are the iris, pickerel, cattail, and watercress. These plants add dimension and beauty to your pond and protection against erosion.

Oxygenating Aquatic Plants

Your koi need an oxygen source, and it is essential to introduce enough oxygenating aquatic pond plants to keep your water and your fish healthy. The plants that are best at boosting oxygen levels are submerged plants. Anacharis, eelgrass, and hornwort are all excellent oxygenators. A preferred oxygenator for small ponds is a dwarf arrowhead, which is easy to grow, even for beginners. For fish to thrive, they need water levels with 6% oxygen.

Aquatic Pond Plant FAQs