Pond Plants – What You Need To Know

Executive Summary by: Faith Ruiz

Pond Plants: A pond without Aquatic plants is like a person without skin-bare, ugly and unnatural. Pond plants are an important part of a ponds eco-system and create a feast for the senses. There are five basic types: Marginal, Water Lilies, Bog, Floating, and Oxygenating plants. Three of them will be discussed here.

plant pond

• Water Lilies. Ahh, the gem of ponds. Some types however, can be grown at 3ft water depth.
• Bog plants. Like Marginals they enjoy shallow water. They should be planted where water naturally tends to collect. Bog filters are also known as “Veggie filters.” They can be made by planting enough bog plants to cover at least 15% of the water volume in your pond.
• Oxygenating plants. Like the name suggests, these pond plants provide needed oxygen to all life in your pond. By far they are the most important Aquatic plant in a pond!

When creating a pond it is best to incorporate each type of pond plant. First, draw an outline of your pond and decide what areas you plan to introduce pond plants and what type they should be. Find a Plant Nursery or Aquatic Garden store in your area. Scented Marginal pond plants help attract insects and butterflies.

Floating baskets or creeper rings can be purchased if desired. Fertilizer is an essential aid in the growth and bloom of your pond plants. Fertilizing depends on the method used, the type of plant, water temperature, and the size pot the pond plant is in.

When you begin planting, inspect and rinse all your pond plants for sandwich worms, aphides, etc… Potting media or even untreated kitty litter work well as the soil. Then, position the plant in the desired spot or insert directly in the soil if they are Bogs.

Pond Plants are an essential part of the eco-system and the perfect finish to a beautiful water-feature.

Choosing the Right Amount of Pond Plants For Your Water Garden

Executive Summary by: Wes McCartney

Submerged pond plants get most of their nutrition directly from your ponds water, submerged pond plants are some of the most functional plants you can have in a water garden for establishing an eco-balance in your pond.

When planting submerged plants we recommend planting one plant per square foot of pond surface area.

Floating pond plants are just as important as submerged pond plants as far as consuming waste is concerned. Floating plants like water hyacinth, and water lettuce also take all of their food directly from your pond water.

Bog plants or marginal pond plants for the most part are simply planted at your ponds edges for aesthetic reasons.

Also, check out my other guide on koi garden pond and raised garden