Plant Care
Benefits of Water Plants and Plant Care
- A source of food and shelter for Koi and Pond Fish
- An essential aspect of any ecosystem
- Improve water quality (absorb ammonia, nitrates and phosphates)
- Provide shade, creating cooler water for fish and algae control in the hot summer months
- Compete with algae for the intake of nutrients in the water
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Types of water plants
Type | Description | Examples | Image | Uses | Info |
Floating |
Float on the water’s surface, no planting necessary. |
Hyacinth, Water lettuce |
Provide shade and oxygen. Inhibit algae development Fish will often snack on the plants Provide decoration |
Tropical |
|
Submerged |
Placed below the water’s surface or at the bottom or weighted to the bottom of the pond, can be planted, or can sometimes remain with roots exposed |
Hornwort Elodea |
Oxygenators, compete with algae |
Hardy or Tropical |
|
Deep water |
Planted in a basket with aquatic soil. Placement is at the bottom of the pond generally 2-4ft from the water’s surface. |
Lilies |
Provide shelter and shade for fish Inhibit algae development Provide decoration |
Hardy or Tropical |
|
Marginal |
Plant with aquatic soil in a basket or bag . Often placed on shelves around the pond’s edge. Placement is approximately 1-2 inches below the surface of the water. |
Iris, Canna, Rush, Taro |
Provide decoration and structure to a pond’s periphery |
Hardy or Tropical |
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Plant Care
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Winterizing your Water Plants
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Hardy water lilies and submersible plants (parrot’s feather) can be dropped down to the deepest point in the pond for the winter. Cut back any foliage from the lilies to limit decaying matter in the pond.
Floating plants like hyacinth and water lettuce can be removed and disposed of.
Hardy marginals can be trimmed back, leaving approximately 2-4” of the plant from the base.
Tropical water plants should be brought indoors in a sunny area and treated as a house plant, always keeping the soil moist.
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