Pond Plants: How to Choose the Right Ones and Their Benefits for Your Pond

Pond plants are more than just a lovely addition to your water garden—they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem. From floating lilies to submerged grasses, pond plants bring both beauty and function to your pond. Here's why you should consider adding them to your pond!

The Benefits Of Pond Plants

Aesthetic Appeal

One of the most obvious reasons to incorporate pond plants is for their beauty. Plants like water lilies and lotuses create stunning surfaces of colour and texture, while taller reeds and grasses provide a natural, elegant backdrop. These plants soften the hard edges of your pond and create a serene, peaceful atmosphere.

Natural Filtration

Pond plants are great at naturally filtering water by absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which helps prevent algae growth. Submerged plants, such as Elodea and Hornwort, trap particles and improve water quality. However, if you have fish, using a filter system in addition to plants is essential to maintain healthy water and a balanced ecosystem.

Wildlife Habitat & Natural Ecosystem

Pond plants offer shelter and food for a variety of wildlife, including frogs, insects, birds, and fish. The broad leaves of water lilies, for example, provide ideal resting spots for insects and amphibians, while submerged plants create hiding places for small fish. Additionally, microorganisms thrive in the pond environment, breaking down organic matter and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

Oxygenation

Submerged plants also contribute to the health of the pond by oxygenating the water, which is essential for maintaining a balanced environment. Oxygen helps fish and other aquatic life thrive and supports the overall health of the pond's ecosystem.

Which Pond Plants Provide Oxygen?

Several types of pond plants help create oxygen in a pond by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. These plants are crucial for maintaining a healthy, balanced aquatic ecosystem.

Oxygenating plants not only improve the oxygen content of the water, but they also help with nutrient uptake, which reduces algae growth, stabilizes pH levels, and provides a healthier environment for fish and other pond life.

Here are a variety of oxygenating pond plants that can help improve water quality and provide essential oxygen for your pond:

· Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

· Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana)

· Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

· Ribbonweed (Vallisneria americana)

· Water Lily (Nymphaea spp.)

· Fibre Optic Grass (Scripus cernuus)

· Sweetflag (Acorus calamus) – A marginal plant that can help oxygenate.

· Waterweed (Elodea nuttallii) – An alternative to Elodea varieties.

· Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) – Great oxygenating properties.

· Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

These submerged and floating plants are great at oxygenating pond water, helping maintain a healthy aquatic environment.

The Best Plants for Your Pond:, Floating, Marginal an Emergent Pond Plants

Incorporating a mix of submerged and floating oxygenating plants will help maintain a healthy, balanced ecosystem in your pond, ensuring the water stays clean, clear, and rich in oxygen for all aquatic life.

Pond plants will normally come in a basket that can be put straight into the pond. They can be left in these pots or put into larger baskets as they grow!

Here are some popular examples of pond plants, categorized by their type:

Floating Plants

Water Lilies (Nymphaea) – These iconic plants have large, beautiful flowers that float on the water's surface.
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) – A floating plant with rosettes of light green leaves, great for covering the surface.
Duckweed (Lemna minor) – Tiny floating plants that spread quickly and provide excellent coverage.
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) – Known for its purple flowers and large, glossy leaves, it floats on the water's surface and helps with filtration.

Submerged Plants

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) – A hardy, fast-growing plant that helps oxygenate the water and prevents algae growth.
Anacharis (Elodea canadensis) – A popular submerged plant that helps oxygenate and purify pond water.
Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) – Known for its feathery leaves, it thrives submerged and offers excellent water filtration.

Emergent Plants (Rooted but Grow Above Water)

Cattails (Typha latifolia) – Tall plants with distinctive brown "cylinders" that grow along the pond edges and help with erosion control.
Reeds (Phragmites australis) – Tall grasses that grow at the water's edge and offer shelter for wildlife.
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) – A beautiful flowering plant with purple spikes that grow in shallow water.

Marginal Plants

Iris (Iris pseudacorus) – A beautiful, flowering plant that thrives in shallow water with colorful blooms.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) – Bright yellow flowers that thrive along the edges of ponds in moist soil.
Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) – Known for its vibrant purple or blue flowers, it grows well along pond edges.

This is just a small sample of the many pond plants available. These plants not only enhance the beauty of your pond but also contribute to the overall health of your aquatic ecosystem. We offer a wide variety of pond plants in store—so come visit us and explore our selection in person!

How to Determine the Right Number of Plants for Your Pond

While any plant can add decorative value and offer some benefits to your pond, achieving optimal results requires careful consideration of the pond's size, depth, and plant selection.

For the best balance of water quality, oxygenation, and aesthetics, aim to cover 50-70% of the pond's surface with plants. This ensures a healthier, more vibrant pond ecosystem.

Here’s a breakdown to help guide you:

1. Small Ponds (Under 2000 Litres)

Plant Coverage: Aim to cover 50-60% of the surface area with plants.
Number of Plants: Around 5-10 plants depending on their size and type.
Plant Types: Use a mix of oxygenators, marginal plants, and floating plants. A couple of submerged plants like hornwort or elodea, one or two floating plants like water lettuce, and a few small marginal plants like iris or marsh marigold will be sufficient.

2. Medium Ponds (Approx 5000 Litres)

Plant Coverage: Aim for about 60-70% of the surface area covered by plants.
Number of Plants: Around 10-20 plants depending on their growth habits.
Plant Types: A mix of submerged plants like anacharis or cabomba, floating plants such as water hyacinth, and marginal plants like cattails or pickerelweed would be ideal.

3. Large Ponds (Over 5000 Litres)

Plant Coverage: About 50-70% of the surface area should be covered.
Number of Plants: You may need 20-40 plants or more depending on their size and type.
Plant Types: Consider a variety of submerged oxygenators (hornwort, elodea), floating plants (water lilies, water hyacinth), and emergent plants (cattails, reeds) to create a natural, balanced ecosystem.

Key Tips:

Balance is key: Too many plants can lead to overcrowding, while too few plants may not provide enough oxygenation or filtration. If you are concerned about the oxygen level in your pond, an air pump can always be added to your system to aid with this.
Plant size matters: Some plants, like water lilies, can spread quickly and cover large areas, while others, like submerged plants, tend to stay smaller and denser.
Seasonal Considerations: Remember that plants grow at different rates depending on the season, so you may need to adjust the plant population as the seasons change.

By selecting the right types and quantity of plants for your pond, you’ll foster a healthy, thriving aquatic environment that benefits both plants and wildlife.

Ready to transform your pond?

Visit us today to explore our wide selection of pond plants and start creating a beautiful, healthy aquatic environment! If you need expert advice on choosing the perfect plants for your pond, don’t hesitate to give us a call or reach out—we’d be happy to assist!

For more information about koi or advice on your pond, check out the rest of our blogs…

Understanding Your Water Parameters for a Healthy Pond Ecosystem | How To Prepare You Pond For Spring | The Importance of Pond Aeration