Keeping your pond water clean and clear is important for the health of your fish and plants. Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can cause unsightly and harmful algal blooms. One of the best ways to combat this is by adding oxygenating plants to your pond.
Oxygenating plants absorb nutrients from the water, helping to prevent algae. They also release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis during the day. This oxygen is crucial for your pond inhabitants.
In this article, we’ll look at 11 of the best oxygenating plants to help keep your pond pristine.
What are Oxygenating Pond Plants?
Oxygenating pond plants are aquatic plants that live fully submerged under the water, They have leaves and stems adapted to living underwater,
These plants carry out photosynthesis, using light to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. The oxygen produced is released directly into the surrounding water.
Oxygenating plants help keep pond water healthy in three key ways:
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Release oxygen into the water to support fish, plants and beneficial bacteria.
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Absorb excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to inhibit algae growth.
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Provide habitat for critters like tadpoles and dragonfly larvae.
Choosing the right oxygenating plants can make maintaining good water quality much easier.
Top 11 Oxygenating Pond Plants
Here are 11 of the best options to oxygenate pond water and keep it looking crystal clear:
1. Hornwort
Hornwort is one of the most popular oxygenating pond plants. It has long, thin, branching stems and needles instead of leaves.
- Grows in a wide range of conditions.
- Tolerates cold water and shade.
- Excellent nutrient absorber to deter algae.
- Provides habitat for fish fry and other critters.
Hornwort is easy to grow, making it a great choice for beginners. It can be anchored or left free floating. Trim it regularly to control its spread.
2. Anacharis
Anacharis is another top choice with its bright green, bushy stems. Its long, narrow leaves provide lots of surface area for photosynthesis.
- Fast growing and spreads readily if not trimmed.
- Adapts to a wide range of water conditions.
- Great at soaking up excess nutrients.
- Provides shelter for small pond life.
Just beware it is considered invasive in some warmer regions. Make sure to remove and dispose of trimmings responsibly.
3. Fanwort
Fanwort is aptly named for its fan-shaped underwater leaves. They provide ample surface area for photosynthesis.
- Grows in varied water depths from 2-10 feet.
- Tolerates some shade.
- Helps deter algae with fast nutrient uptake.
- Sensitive leaves mean its best for ponds without koi.
This oxygenator needs a fine substrate for its roots. Trim it back periodically to control its spread.
4. Elodea
Also called waterweed or anacharis crispa, elodea is another underwater oxygenating champ. Its bright green leaves are long and narrow.
- Adapts well to different water chemistries.
- Fast growing, so needs regular trimming.
- Excellent for absorbing excess nutrients.
- Provides habitat and spawning sites for fish.
Just beware it is illegal to grow in some states as it’s considered an invasive aquatic plant. Always dispose of trimmings carefully.
5. Cabomba
Cabomba is prized for its elegant, fan-shaped underwater leaves. These provide lots of surface area for photosynthesis and oxygen release.
- Does well in brighter light conditions.
- Appreciates some water circulation.
- Helpful for soaking up nutrients and deterring algae.
- Requires a fine gravel or sandy substrate.
Trim this plant regularly to control its spread and create a nice bushy growth habit. Cabomba brings an ornamental touch to ponds.
6. Vallisneria
Also called eelgrass or tapegrass, vallisneria has lovely green, ribbon-like leaves. It forms tall underwater meadows, swaying gracefully in the currents.
- Hardy and adapts to different water conditions.
- Helps stabilize pond substrates.
- Provides good habitat for shy fish that need cover.
- Easy to grow but does need occasional trimming.
Vallisneria is an excellent choice for deep ponds or outdoor water features needing an oxygen boost.
7. American Pondweed
American pondweed is a native plant with floating oval leaves and submerged branching stems.
- Good oxygenator for natural ponds.
- Tolerates some shade and a variety of water depths.
- Helps absorb nutrients and discourage algal growth.
- Attracts ducks and offers habitat for young fish.
If not contained properly, American pondweed can spread aggressively. Routine trimming of stems keeps it under control.
8. Parrot’s Feather
Parrot’s feather is aptly named for its feathery, bright green leaves and stems. Stems can grow above and below the water’s surface.
- Thrives along pond margins and tolerates some shade.
- Helps oxygenate and filter water.
- Offers shelter for aquatic life like tadpoles.
- Can become invasive in warmer climates so trim regularly.
Parrot’s feather makes an attractive edging plant but do keep it contained within pots if concerned about its spread.
9. Water Hyacinth
Though not a true oxygenator, water hyacinth helps keep water clear with its nutrient absorbing floating leaves.
- Floating leaves provide shade to deter algal growth.
- Bulbous leaf roots absorb nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Striking purple flowers.
- Invasive, so don’t allow to spread to natural waterways.
Water hyacinth requires regular thinning to control its rapid spread. But it can help absorb excess nutrients in overfed ponds.
10. Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed is a marginal plant, not fully submerged, but its roots help oxygenate the water. It also aids filtration with nutrient absorption by leaves and roots.
- Attractive spikes of purple flowers.
- Thrives in shallow water up to 3 feet deep.
- Helps shade and cool water while deterring algae.
- Provides habitat for frogs and dragonflies.
Grow pickerelweed along the edges of ponds and water features to help maintain clear and healthy water.
11. Watercress
Watercress is an edible aquatic plant that doubles as an oxygenator and water purifier. Its small rounded leaves offer lots of surface area.
- Fast growing and spreads readily.
- Thrives in cool, consistently circulating water.
- Helps filter organics and excessive nutrients.
- Provides habitat and food for pond critters.
In addition to keeping pond water clear, you can harvest watercress leaves for salads and garnishes.
Get Growing Oxygenators for Pond Health
Adding a selection of hardy oxygenating plants is one of the easiest ways to keep pond water clear and prevent unwanted algae. Their ability to absorb excess nutrients, produce oxygen and provide habitat is invaluable.
When choosing oxygenators, go for adaptable plants that suit your specific pond conditions. Combine submerged oxygenators with some floating plants and marginals for the best results. Maintain them with routine trimming to control spread.
With the right balance of plants, your pond can maintain itself with minimal intervention needed. Get growing some oxygenators for a healthy, pristine paradise!
When do you plant your oxygenating plants?
Newly installed ponds contain in the beginning only few micro-organisms and consequently they have a poor supply of CO2. Before putting in the plants, it is wise to let a pond develop for about 4 weeks’. Plant them preferably in their growth period, between April and June. After planting they will keep the water clear and algae free. If you want to put in oxygenating plants at the same time, oxygen will have to added to the water. For this purpose you can use so-called CO2 Tabs.
What oxygenating plants do you choose?
Not all oxygenating plants will produce oxygen during the whole season. For this reason it is important to alternate and vary this species of plants. This will make the chance of algal growth het slightest. For spring and winter water-crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) is to be recommended and in summer and autumn hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), pondweed or waterweed are to be preferred. Other well-known oxygenating plants are mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris) and water violet (Hottonia palustris).
In existing ponds with many algae – green water and/or fibrous algae – it is not wise to put oxygenating plants. Algae will assimilate all the CO2 present from the water and as a result new plants can not properly grow.
Put the plants under water, in coarse sand, gravel, clay pellets or special growth substrate. In nature these plants will root directly in the bottom. In most ponds this is inconvenient, because liner is lying on the bottom or a preformed pond has been used. You are therefore advised to use always pond baskets and to remove first seals and strips. Put your oxygenating plants in a pond which has a proper water quality (rich in minerals, so hard water) and enough CO2, then they will keep the water clear and algae-free. Opinions are varying about the number of oxygenating plants required to obtain clear water, however, a rule of thumb is 5 bunches per 1,000 litres of water.
Oxygenating Pond Plants Guide – Pond Oxygenators Explained
FAQ
What is the best oxygenating plant for a pond?
- Hair Grass (Eleocharis acicularis) …
- Hornwort (Ceratophyllum dermersum) half bags. …
- Hornwort (Ceratophyllum dermersum) in bags. …
- Oxygenating Plant weights. …
- Water Starwort (Callitriche) native. …
- Hornwort (Ceratophyllum dermersum) Native. …
- Willow Moss (Fontinalis Antipyretica) Native.
What is the cheapest way to oxygenate a pond?
There are three basic ways to do this. First is a windmill powered air compressor. (dependent on wind). Second is a small compressor like a thomas pump(I use one on my one and a quarter acre pond. It pumps air down to fourteen feet in the pond). Lastly is a solar powered pond pump.
What plants are good for pond aeration?
Think hornwort, anacharis, or waterweed—leafy greens that live below the surface. Unlike lilies that float on top, these workhorses bubble up oxygen, keeping the water fresh and balanced. They’re the best oxygenating plants for ponds because they’re low-maintenance and pack a big punch.
What plants increase oxygen in water?
Oxygen levels can be increased by adding aquatic plants such as Hornwort, Eelgrass, Green Cabomba, Red Ludwigia, and Anacharis, however other methods such as air stones and water pumps are recommended to maintain oxygen levels in heavily-stocked fish tanks.