Adding Water Plants to a Pond or Water Feature

A backyard pond or water feature is a wonderful addition to your property. Whether you live in the country or in an urban area, you can create a private oasis where you can relax and lounge alongside a babbling waterfall or fountain, losing yourself in the sounds of nature.

If you have a water feature, or are planning to install one, you'll want to plan on including a variety of water plants as a final touch. The benefits are numerous and well outweigh any costs that may be incurred. Some, like water lilies, can be quite expense and unless you choose a hardy type, are difficult to overwinter if you live in a cold weather climate.

Plants aid in keeping your pond balanced by reducing the growth of algae since they use the same nutrients, and they help stabilize the chemistry of the water by aiding in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. All pond plants convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, and reduce nitrogen that builds up in the water which controls algae build-up.

Water plants also provide shade and protection for fish like Pond Comets or Koi, which are not a necessity but certainly add beauty and life to a back yard pond. Plants absorb waste from fish and other excess organic matter. Most importantly, water plants make your pond look natural and add beauty and life to your pond.

Three types of water plants

Probably the most important vegetation for your pond is oxygenator plants. Their purpose is evident in their name - they add oxygen to the water, which is a must for aquatic life. These are plants that are submerged beneath the water, usually planted in a mesh basket to keep the dirt and roots contained and anchored so they don't tip over. Submerged plants include water lilies which are probably the most well known and come in many different sizes and colors. They add a natural look and provide great cover for aquatic life. Blooms are beautiful in shades of yellow, white, pink, and red, and some only bloom after dark. Many also are very fragrant.

Marginals are plants that sit on the edge of your pond in shallow water, and are sometimes referred to as bog plants. Examples of marginal plants include miniature cattails, iris, marsh marigold, and juncus which sports twisting spirals that grow to heights of 18-24."

Floater plants live on the surface of the pond and are great for filtering the water and providing shade. Water hyacinth and water lettuce both float on top of the water freely. They also spread so you'll only need one or two to start with and you'll want to be careful that you don't introduce these into natural habitat such as lakes and rivers, because they are considered invasive.

The size of your water feature will determine how many plants you will need to add. Most types of plants will grow and spread, so you can start with just a few of each type if your pond is mid-size (10 ft x 10 ft).

When adding plants to your pond, be cognizant of the amount of sun and fertilizer that each one requires. It is generally recommended that a water feature should receive 4-6 hours of sunshine per day. Use only special fertilizer tabs for those plants that need to be fertilized.

Once your pond is complete with a variety of water plants, don't forget to add some decorative vegetation to the landscape around your pond. Adding an assortment of grasses, hostas, and groundcovers will contribute to a natural looking habitat and will welcome song birds, insects, and frogs. There's nothing more soothing than the sound of birds chirping in the early morning hours, or a deep throated frog croaking in the twilight hours. If you're lucky, you may even see the sparkles of a firefly or two.