In places in the pond where otherwise nothing really wants to grow due to the planting, spring moss thrives without any problems. The hardy plant fronds are bright green depending on the water quality. Also called fever moss, the shrub lichen was used for a long time as a fever-reducing remedy.
What advantages does spring moss have in the garden pond?
Quellmoss is an undemanding, oxygen-producing plant that contributes to natural pool cleaning in garden ponds. It grows in shallow water at temperatures of 5 to 32 °C and reproduces by division.
Spring moss, as a plant that grows under water all year round and produces oxygen, can be used excellently in garden ponds for natural pool cleaning. The short fronds of the “Fontinalis antipyretica” cover the pool floor within a very short time, varying in color depending on the water quality. The otherwise evergreen plant is also very popular with fish as a spawning place.
Quellmoos: the short profile
- Plant spacing: 20 to 30 cm (not necessary after propagation);
- Growth height: between 10 and 20 cm;
- Nutrient requirements: low;
- Water requirement: standing wet in water that is as shallow as possible;
- Planting time: optimal in spring;
- Light requirements: shady to sunny;
- Pink placement: foreground to middle ground;
- Water hardness: 3 to 25 °dH;
- optimal living temperature: 5 to 32 °C
- Propagation: division of plants;
- Growth rate: slow;
- Price in specialist shops: 3.00 to 3.50 euros;
The demands in the garden pond
Quellmoss is very undemanding and easy to care for. It doesn't need to be planted, just throw it into the water. It multiplies relatively quickly and after a few days will grow on its own in some places in the pond. Alternatively, spring moss can be attached with its adhesive organs to stones (€7.00 at Amazon) and roots and also grows firmly on substrates. Like many other types of moss, it gets along with little light and can easily settle in waters up to 20 meters deep.
Care for spring moss in the garden pond
The resilient fronds grow themselves in places that are unsuitable for other aquatic plants due to the lack of light. Additional fertilization is not necessary because swelling moss has very low nutrient requirements. Fertilizer applications can be carried out in the summer months, which will lead to particularly rapid reproduction of the plants.
How is spring moss propagated?
Since the long shoots should be cut back anyway, you can use them for propagation or you can simply divide the cushions of the plants and re-tie them in the desired places in the pond.
Tip
If you take the trouble to cut back the spring moss a little more often, the plants will then grow particularly dense and very compact.
