The dream of an idyllic garden pond can quickly be shattered when the water oasis is barely recognizable as such because of all the algae. Fortunately, there is a natural way to keep algae largely out of your pond: plant one or two aquatic plants!
Which aquatic plants help against algae in the pond?
Aquatic plants can effectively combat algae in the garden pond by absorbing nutrients and thus depriving algae of their livelihood. Suitable plants include water lilies, hornwort, thick-leaved waterweed, pennywort, swan flower and swamp iris.
How water plants work in the pond
Aquatic plants keep the pond water in biological balance - this is how they absorb a large proportion of the nutrients from the water in order to grow and thrive. This makes them a direct food competitor to algae. The latter need extremely nutrient-rich water in order to live and reproduce. If this basis of life is missing, they stay away from the pond.
In short: With the generous use of aquatic plants, you can slow down or even stop the growth of algae in your pond. Of course, the prerequisite is that you use suitable plants.
Which aquatic plants help fight algae
Above all, look out for heavy-feeding aquatic plants. As the name suggests, such plants need a lot of nutrients. Accordingly, they make generous use of the substances in the pond water. As a result, there is hardly anything left for any algae.
It makes most sense to put together a plant mix that includes the shallow water zone, the deep water zone and also the shore area.
You will now receive overviews of the types of aquatic plants that have proven successful for each area (in terms of their potential to prevent algae in the pond).
Algae-fighting aquatic plants for the shallow water zone
- Pennigwort (Lysimachia nummularia)
- Swan flower (Butomus umbellatus)
- Fir fronds (Hippuris vulgaris)
Algae-fighting aquatic plants for the deep water zone
- Water lilies (Nyphaea)
- Thousandleaf (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
- Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
- Dense-leaved waterweed (Egeria densa)
Algae-fighting aquatic plants for the bank area
- Swamp iris (Iris laevigata)
- Dwarf rush (Juncus ensifolius)
- Hedgehog butt (Sparganium erectum)
Extra: floating plants to combat algae
Some floating plants also contribute to an algae-free pond:
- Frog bite (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)
- Three-row duckweed (Lemna trisulca)
- Swimming fern (Salvia natans)
Note: All aquatic plants mentioned have a high nutrient requirement, so they deprive algae of their nutritional basis.
Important note about koi ponds
If you keep carp (including koi) and/or grass carp in your garden pond, combating algae with aquatic plants is NOT possible. These fish are proven herbivores that passionately feast on underwater plants. That's why you unfortunately have to rely on unnatural methods to combat algae in koi ponds.
