The beautiful plants that make a water garden a garden are what make it a garden. There are water lilies that float on the water and forget-me-nots that grow around the edges. When you plant your pond, you should think about things like color, height, and the right way to plant.
Adding beautiful aquatic plants to your pond or water garden not only enhances the landscape visually, but the plants also provide numerous environmental benefits. They help filter the water, reduce algae growth, oxygenate the water, and provide food and shelter for fish and wildlife.
However, successfully growing healthy water plants requires knowing what types of plants to select and how to properly plant them For beginners, it can seem daunting at first But follow this guide to learn the basics of choosing, planting, and caring for water plants in ponds.
Choosing the Right Water Plants
With hundreds of aquatic plant varieties available deciding what to plant can be overwhelming initially. Keep these tips in mind when selecting plants for your pond
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Consider your climate – Select cold hardy plants if you live in zones 3-7 Choose tropical plants for warmer zones 8-11.
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Determine sun exposure – Full sun? Part shade? This affects what plants will thrive. Most need at least 4 hours of direct sun.
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Choose a variety – For interest, include floating, marginal, oxygenating, and deep water plants.
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Know plant sizes – Pick plants that will fit the pond size when mature. Read plant tags.
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Research invasiveness – Ensure plants are not aggressive spreaders or banned invasives.
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Buy from aquatic nurseries – They offer the healthiest plants already adapted to aquatic life.
Popular Types of Water Plants
Here are some of the most popular categories of water plants to consider for ponds:
Floating Plants
- Float freely on the water’s surface
- Provide shade to reduce algae
- Top options: water hyacinth, water lettuce, duckweed
Marginal Plants
- Grow in shallow water near the edge
- Offer vertical accent and hide pond edges
- Top options: bulrush, arrowhead, sweet flag, water iris
Oxygenating Plants
- Grow underwater to add oxygen
- Help keep water clear and clean
- Top options: anacharis, cabomba, hornwort, valisneria
Deep Water Plants
- Grow entirely submerged below the surface
- Provide underwater landscape interest
- Top options: fanwort, najas grass, coontail
Water Plant Growing Conditions
When selecting plants, pay attention to the growing conditions each variety needs to thrive:
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Water depth: Depth range the plant needs, usually 0-6 inches for marginals.
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Light needs: Full sun vs. part shade or full shade requirements.
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Hardiness zone: Cold hardiness range based on climate.
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Spread: Aggressive vs. moderate spreading growth habit.
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Invasiveness: If the plant exhibits invasive tendencies.
Consider all these factors carefully when choosing plants to ensure success.
How to Plant Water Plants in a Pond
Once you’ve picked out your plants, it’s time to get them planted in the pond. Follow these steps for best results:
1. Prepare the Plants
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Remove plants gently from containers. Tease roots apart if root bound.
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Trim any dead or damaged parts of the plants with clean pruners.
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Soak the roots for 30-60 minutes before planting if plants seem dry.
2. Add Soil and Fertilizer
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Fill plant baskets or pots 2/3 full with aquatic plant soil or potting mix.
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Mix in a little slow-release aquatic plant fertilizer into each pot.
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Top off pots with more soil, leaving 1-2 inches from rim.
3. Place Plants in Pots/Baskets
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Carefully separate root systems and spread out in pot.
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Try not to damage roots. Prune any that are excessively long or tangled.
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Plant tops should sit just above the soil line.
4. Add Anchor Weights
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Tie anchor weights (stones, bricks) securely to pots/baskets with twine.
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This prevents plants from floating away until established.
5. Gradually Submerge Pots
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Initially set pots with marginal plants in only 1-2 inches of water.
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Over 7-10 days, slowly lower pots to the desired depth, allowing plants to adjust.
6. Distribute Pots Around Pond
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Place pots evenly around the pond perimeter and at various depths.
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Organize pots into groups of the same plant for high visual impact.
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Intermingle floating, marginal, and deep water plant groupings.
Initial Planting Tips and Care
Follow these handy care guidelines after first planting water plants:
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Observe plants daily at first for signs of stress, wilting, disease, or pests.
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Remove any flowers or dead foliage to encourage root and leaf growth initially.
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Consider staking tall emergent plants if needed until established.
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Let floaters like hyacinth and duckweed freely drift around the pond to stabilize.
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Test water weekly and treat with pond chemicals if pH, nutrients, or algae get out of balance.
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Shelter plants on extremely hot days by floating boards to prevent leaf burn.
Ongoing Maintenance of Water Plants
To keep your water plants looking their best all season long:
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Pinch back leggy growth and prune dead leaves/flowers frequently.
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Thin crowded plants and divide overgrown pots to maintain vigor.
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Apply liquid fertilizer monthly during growing season for strong growth.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and diseases like mildew; treat promptly.
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Clean pots with gentle hose spray if they get coated in sediment and debris.
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Winterize hardy varieties at end of season by lowering pots deeper into pond.
Troubleshooting Common Water Plant Problems
If your pond plants struggle, here are solutions for some common issues:
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Yellowing leaves: Usually indicates low nutrients. Apply aquatic plant fertilizer.
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Holes/chewed leaves: Caused by pests like crayfish or snails. Remove them.
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Limp foliage: Could mean too much or too little water depth. Adjust as needed.
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Leggy growth: Insufficient light. Prune back and relocate plants to sunnier spot.
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Surface films: Clear away with netting frequently to allow air circulation.
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Failure to bloom: Often due to overcrowding. Thin and divide plants.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
How many plants do I need for my pond?
Stock pond with 1-2 plants per square foot of surface area. So a 500 sq ft pond needs 500-1000 plants. Focus heavily on oxygenating plants to maintain water quality.
What is the best time to plant water plants?
Spring or early summer is ideal so plants have time to establish before winter. Introduce tropical plants after the last frost once water temperature is over 60°F.
Should I fertilize water plants?
Yes, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer made for aquatic plants every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Reduce frequency for potted plants.
Can I plant water plants directly into a pond?
It’s best to plant in pots or baskets first to prevent invasive spreading. But some plants like iris will do fine planted directly into a plastic pond liner.
How often should I prune water plants in ponds?
Deadhead spent flowers and remove dead/damaged foliage frequently to maintain an attractive look. Cut back excess growth as needed to prevent overcrowding.
Planting lovely water plants in your pond or water garden not only enhances the landscape design, but the aquatic plants also support a balanced ecosystem. Take time to properly choose, arrange, and care for pond plants. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning and lively underwater landscape.
Know Your Plant Size
A big mistake that new water gardeners make is not thinking about how big their plants could get. Remember to think about the plant’s full height and width, and give it enough room to grow in the future. If your plants get too crowded, you can always divide or thin them out, just like you do with your land perennials. You could give extras to a friend or plant some in a container water garden to make another part of your yard look nice.
Short in Front, Tall in Back
This might seem like a no-brainer, but always put shorter plants in front of taller ones. Many times, you’ll be sitting on a deck or patio and looking at your water garden. When you plant your pond, keep that view in mind. You’ll create more visual interest when you have a mix of tall and short plants.