There are many different types of pond owners, ones who might love keeping fish as pets or others that want a pond to expand the types of aquatic plants they can have in their gardens. Whichever kind you are, its important to know why plants are crucial for ponds and their overall ecosystems.

The Important Role of Aquatic Plants

Pond plants provide more than just beauty and naturalization, they also provide a whole new world of plant choices. These choices range from pretty flowers like water lilies to big leafy greens like ferns that will enhance the already established aesthetic of your pond. The most important aspect of aquatic plants however is that they work to balance the pond ecosystem with valuable biological filtration that removes minerals that algae feed on like nitrogen, ammonia and nitrates. With no food for algae to feed on, your pond water stays clean and clear!

Food and Shelter

The aquatic plants in your pond also provide food, shade, and protection from everything living in it like fish and other wildlife. The leaves and stems of plants planted inside of your pond are a safe place for frogs and toads to lay eggs, as well as shade for fish to spawn. The plants along the edge of your pond attract birds looking for food and shelter, while blooming flowers attract helpful pollinators like butterflies and bees that will boost the local plant ecosystem in your area!

The most popular aquatic plant out there are water lilies, who spread shade across the water surface with their leaves, a helpful umbrella of shade in gorgeous tones of green. This helps keep the water cool and comfortable for your fish as well as working to prevent algae growth.

Visual Beauty of Aquatic Plants

Plants supply pleasure to pond owners as there’s something so pleasant about seeing a little frog pop his head up between water lilies, or seeing bees taking a nap on a flower petal. Its also fun to watch a dragonfly zip around the flowers and skim across the surface of the water. This kind of backyard oasis isn’t possible without the presence of aquatic plants in and around your pond.

The presence of lush and aromatic plants like lotus, mint and more is a memorable and exhilarating experience, as well as fun for the whole family. Plants add another layer of relaxation to the soothing environment of your outdoor water feature.

Nature’s Filters

Each type of aquatic plant has its own unique list of necessities for optimum growth. For instance, the bigger a plant grows, the more food it needs in order to thrive. Pond plants rely on the same nutrients as algae in order to grow, which means as they blossom and flourish, they’re starving the algae and eating all of their food.

Some plants prefer to be planted in the stream of your water feature due to higher oxygen levels from the moving water, but others prefer not to have any movement at all. Also, each aquatic plant species has their own specifications for how deep in water they like to be planted. Some can grow decently deep in the water while others only like to have their toes in it, so having a wide assortment of aquatic plants will provide your pond with a broader spectrum of filtration.

Mix It Up With Aquatic Plant Variety

The best way to level up the plant game of your pond is to choose a variety of aquatic plants. Ensuring you have an array of colors, flowers, textures and plant heights. Variety is what makes any garden visual interesting.

Different types and colors of water lilies are a great option for in pond plants, and can create an exciting color palette. They also bloom at night which means you’ll get to enjoy your pond and water feature for longer hours of the day!

When it comes to other floating or marginal plants, there’s an overwhelming amount to choose from. Options like pickerel plant, cattail, and sweet flag are all great choices that have been reliable in gardens for years. But you could also take a more exotic route with options like cardinal flowers, cannas, and rushes.

There’s also the majestic lotus flower too, with large leaves and massive flowers that have been regarded highly in many traditions and cultures across the world. Lotus flowers are a rarity in ponds due to people thinking they might be too big or too difficult to grow when all they really need is six hours of direct sunlight each day to look their best. A combination of different exotic and classic flowers creates a decorative aesthetic for your pond.

Now That You Know

Now that you have more information about the importance of aquatic plants in your pond and water garden, you’ll be well on your way to creating a gorgeous outdoor space. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new plants as you grow your garden, but make sure you’ll have the ability to meet their requirements before adding them to your pond. Contact us for more information.