Plants for fish ponds – aquatic flora
Garden fish ponds are a creative way to enhance the appearance of your garden and
to oxygenate the air. They are natural ecosystems, well-planned backyard wildlife
habitats, a host for all organisms in the environment - birds, fish, frogs,
plants and many microscopic organisms – and their interrelationship. When it comes to populating the fish ponds with plants, the options are literally
endless. Water plants are divided into 3 main categories:
floating plants
submerged plants and
edge plants.
Beside these 3 main categories, there is also
the phytoplankton, which is represented by photosynthetic organisms, such as
microscopic, single-celled algae that float within the water. They are always
Floating plants
Floating plants or emerged plants have their roots in the water but their shoots
above the water. They shade the water and absorb dissolved nutrients; They help
to keep algae and water temperatures down, keeping your pond or water feature
clear and healthy for all your pond wildlife. Among floating aquatics we can
mention water lilies or water lettuce.
Submerged plants
Submerged plants, the so called oxygenators, grow beneath the surface of the
water and are used to remove carbon dioxide from the water and add oxygen,
keeping the water clear. They provide a pond with oxygen through the natural
process of photosynthesis. They can manufacture their own food using energy from
sunlight and producing oxygen. For this specific reason, they are vital in
maintaining the earth’s atmosphere. Some oxygenators may still produce flowers
and are probably the most important plant in a water environment. Submerged
plants include: anacharis, arrowhead and water milfoil.
Edge plants
Edge plants, also called marginals or bog plants, provide shelter for fish, frogs
and other plant life, growing either on the edge of the pond or in the moist soil
next the pond. Marginals are the most diverse and beautiful of the water plants
and include flowers, grasses and groundcovers in all sorts of bright and
beautiful colors. Among the edge plants we could mention sweet flag, water
plantain or marsh marigold.
Fish pond plants are both enhancing the beauty of your pond or water garden and
oxygenating water and removing naturally occurring organics. This is why you
should get specialist advice when choosing plants so that they suit your
particular pond size and special pH-balanced pond soil.
For more information or expertise in building your own pond and
choosing your plants..click for
Pumps and Supplies
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