Popular Floating Pond Plants
Floating pond plants, also known as water pond plants, are essential to any water garden or koi pond because of their ability to reduce algae, to reduce weeds, to provide oxygenated water for the fish and to provide an aesthetically pleasing landscape of blooms. Examples of popular fish pond plants include elodea, water hyacinths, water lilies and lotus.
Elodea
Elodea usually grows about 5 to 6 inches tall with oval leaves, long stems and small white flowers. Theses submerged pond plants prefer full sun, require no soil and are planted at the bottom of the pond to oxygenate the water. Elodeas are perfect for novice gardeners who live in non-tropical climates since the plants require very little care and thrive in cold temperatures.
Water Hyacinths
Water hyacinths can grow 2 to 3 feet tall with beautiful, orchid-like purple flowers and glossy, green leaves. The plant’s fibrous roots grow underneath the water, which help to filter out any impurities, keeping the pond water naturally clean and clear. Water hyacinths thrive in areas with morning sun and afternoon shade and only require fertilizing in the winter when the leaves turn yellow. Water hyacinths have a tendency to overgrow quickly, so the removal of excess plants is necessary to prevent the depletion of oxygen in the water.
Water Lilies
Water lilies are popular due to their bright, colourful blooms that open the beginning of summer and last until the middle of autumn. They are planted in large pots filled with loam soil and placed in shallow water. Planting of the lilies usually occurs in early spring after the last frost, and the plants are fertilized once a month with an organic aquatic fertilizer.
Lotus
The beautiful and fragrant lotus is the most beautiful of fish pond plants and provides a sense of tranquility to any water garden or pond. The lotus is planted in shallow water and requires warm weather and full sun to thrive. Nutrients and fertilizer in the form of fertilizer tablets are given once in the spring and again in the summer. Yellow leaves are pruned in the fall with scissor or pruning shears to help next season’s blooms. The blooming season usually occurs in the beginning of summer until the middle of autumn in warmer areas.
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