Page 2...Aquatic Plants

HOME

FISH

TIPS

FILTER

LINKS

FEEDING

~ PLANT CATEGORIES ~

Aquatic plants are broken down into 3 main categories, each having a specific role in your ponds environment. One rule of thumb is to have at least 60% surface coverage. This does several things; it provides protection and spawning areas for your fish as well as using up harmful nitrates. It also provides shade from the sunlight that would otherwise promote the growth of algae as well as releasing oxygen during sunlight hours through the process of photosynthesis........These categories are;

~ FLOATING PLANTS ~

These are plants that have part or all of their foliage on or at the surface of the water. There are two types of floating plants, distinguished by the location of their roots. One type has its roots in the soil and its leaves on or at the surface. Examples would be water lilies, parrot feathers and lotus. The second type would have the entire plant at the surface and its roots dangling in the water, such as Water Hyacinths, Clover, Water Lettuce and Azolaa.

~ SUBMERGED PLANTS ~

Submerged plants are completely beneath the surface of the water. Although called "oxygenating plants", they only produce oxygen in the presence of sunlight and consume oxygen at night. These plants are also very efficient at using up nutrients which would otherwise promote algae blooms. Examples would be, Elodea, also known as Anacharis and Hornwort.

~ MARGINAL PLANTS ~

Marginal plants, also known as bog plants, prefer to grow in shallow water and moist areas around your pond. Most of these plants prefer to be in water 2" to 6" deep. They have their roots wet but their stems and leaves rise above the surface. Examples would be Water Iris, Water Canna, Umbrella Plant, Cattails, Pickerel Weed, Papyrus, Horse Tail, Water Chestnut, Arrowhead, Calla Lily, Primrose and Elephant Ears or Taro.

~ WATER LILY ~

No pond would be complete without water lilies. There are two basic types, hardies and tropicals, each of which have numerous varieties to choose from. Hardies are the easiest to grow and can withstand most winters. Although, a more limited color selection, they will live from year to year simply by cutting them off at pot level and sinking them in the deepest part of your pond.

Tropicals, however, will not tolerate cold weather and must be brought inside during the winter months. They can be stored in a green house or even a hot water heater closet. They come in a wide variety of colors, some of which are night bloomers. (Haven't tried one of those yet, but looking forward to it.) The large floating leaves of the lily are great for pond surface coverage.

~ CLOVER ~

Clover is another good choice for surface coverage, (cloverage).....grin. The leaves are emerald green, patterned with brown and yellow, that float on the surface of the water, forming a carpet. Thin them out as necessary. They do well in most climates, they are very fast growers and they propagate well. Make a wish, they're "ALL" four leaf clovers.

~ PARROT FEATHERS ~

Parrot feathers have light green feathery leaves that float along the surface of the water, they propagate well, are hardy, widely available and the roots provide a good spawning area for the fish.

~ HYACINTH ~

Water hyacinths are floating plants with feathery roots that provide the best natural filtering system of any other plant. Some cities actually use hyacinths to aid in their water treatment plants. These plants will also do well in the top of lava rock filters. They have a beautiful lilac blue flower in mid-to-late summer; as far as propagation is concerned, CAN YOU SAY RABBITS? They go crazy! The Houston ship channel was actually shut down one year due to the spreading capabilities of this plant. In some states,Texas being one of them, they are illegal to sell. I don't know if they are illegal to own, so don't blow our cover....just in case.

~ THALIA ~

Thalia's are tall, rubber tree like plants. They have a towering rigid stock that produce clusters of purple flowers. These are fast growing plants and a good choice when height is needed. It also has a unique defence against strong winds, something we have a lot of around here. The leaves roll up like a cigar to protect themselves.

~ PRIMROSE ~

These plants have nickel to quarter size leaves on a wandering root system that floats on the surface of the water, providing a great natural filter. In mid-to-late summer, they produce beautiful small yellow flowers.

~ WATER IRIS ~

There are several varieties of iris that thrive in ponds, all of which have narrow sword like leaves. They flower in early summer and come in a large variety of colors. Japanese iris can grow to be 4 feet tall and have 4 to 12 inch flowers. Others like the Siberian iris prefer drier soil and can be used around the pond.

~ CALLA LILY ~

Calla lilies have bright green leaves up to 10" long with very fragrant flowers, up to 4 to 5 inches across on 2' stems. Typically used as bog / border plants, however several varieties do well in 3 to 6 inches of water. Fertilize often.

~ CATTAILS ~