Plants add beauty to any setting, and they are essential in helping create and maintain a healthy ecosystem in your pond. Plants help to limit algae growth by blocking excess sunlight and by consuming nutrients that algae require to live. They also provide surface area for colonies of beneficial bacteria (the same in your biological filter), as well as by keeping water temperatures down (and oxygen in) through shade.

Many successful pond owners take a lesson from nature by incorporate many plants into their pond and surrounding areas. They understand that in natural wetlands, plants make up 80% to 90% of life in wetlands. Those wetland plants keep water conditions healthy and in balance, by consuming nutrients from fish waste and other organic by-products, for the remaining 10% of wetland life.

Even though plants use nutrients produced from fish and other organic compounds, ponds sometimes lack the proper essential nutrients that plants require for lush growth and flowering. To produce beautiful flowers and full foliage, aquatic plants need a continuous supply of nutrients. Without proper nutrients, overall plant growth slows and plants stop blooming. An indication of poor levels of the proper essential nutrients is the yellowing of leaves. Pond plant food provides the necessary nutrition to stimulate flowering and lush foliage for all pond plants.

Before selecting pond plants, research the desired plant’s needs. Pond plants are categorized as:

• Submerged Plants are essential plants for keeping the pond healthy. The are planted underwater in containers with gravel or substrate, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen as they grow, and they multiply fairly rapidly.
• Marginal Plants are planted in containers set in shallow water on shelves around the pond margins. Their foliage emerges above water.
• Marsh/Bog Plants are planted at the edges of the pond if the liner is extended and filled with soil to create waterlogged bog conditions.
• Floating Plants are plants that simply float on the pond. Their roots hang just below the water surface, where they take up excessive nutrients from the water.
• Water Lilies are planted in containers that sit on the bottom of the pond and produce leaves and flowers on the surface in the summer. Lilies spread across your pond surface, providing shade and prolific beauty.

Note: Be sure top pond plant containers with gravel to stop fish from disturbing the soil or substrate and discoloring the water.