The rough hornleaf - often incorrectly called hornwort - is one of the most effective water purification plants and is therefore extremely interesting for garden pond owners. Let's devote some attention to the swimming beneficial creature.
Which “hornwort” is suitable for the pond?
The hornwort is not a suitable pond plant; the rough hornleaf (Ceratophyllum) should be used instead. It is an effective water purification plant that grows underwater and prevents algae formation in the pond.
The hornleaf is not a hornwort
When we talk about hornwort in relation to clarifying pond planting, the popular saying always slips easily into hornwort. Hornwort also exists and its species form an entire genus of plants with the botanical name Cerastium. However, these are by no means aquatic plants - but this is certainly the case with hornleaf, botanically Ceratophyllum.
Hornleaf species are very similar in habit to the chandelier algae. Their long, pine-twig-like fronds look very similar to those of the chandelier algae and also grow submerged, i.e. completely under the surface of the water. As underwater plants without real roots, they also have the ability to absorb nutrients directly from the water. This makes them very suitable as sewage plants for the middle water layers of a garden pond.
The most important characteristics of the hornleaf in brief:
- Submerged Water Plant
- Appearance similar to chandelier algae
- Fir branch-like fronds
- Absorb nutrients directly from the water – strong water-clarifying effect
The Rough Hornleaf
A species of hornleaf that is particularly relevant to garden pond culture is the rough hornleaf. Its grayish to yellow-green leaves actually feel quite rough and are, on the one hand, very flexible in water, but also sensitive to breakage when exposed to mechanical contact. The sometimes reddish-accented stems with forked leaves can grow up to a meter long. The rough hornleaf also produces inconspicuous flowers and fruits completely under water.
Clever wintering tactics
Interesting and practical for cultivation in the garden pond: The rough hornleaf also copes well in shady areas and is perennial. The upper parts of the plant die off in winter. However, the rough hornleaf survives the cold season thanks to hibernation organs, so-called turions, which hibernate on the bottom of the water and rise again in spring.
In order not to get a surplus of nutrients from the sinking, dead parts of the plant, you can also remove the rough hornleaf yourself in autumn and cut off the shoot tips with the overwintering buds and throw them back into the pond. The rest is composted.
Best cleaning qualities
Like other species of hornleaf, the rough hornleaf has extremely good water clearing properties. It absorbs a lot of nutrients from the pond water and can help prevent algae blooms. This is not the only reason why it is particularly suitable for a fish pond that is particularly contaminated with excess nutrients due to fish food and feces. Its fine, densely branched stems also offer the animals good hiding places.
Better not combine with other underwater plants
In general, it is not recommended to cultivate several underwater plants at once in the shallow water zone of a garden pond. They can quickly get mixed up and get tangled up in one another. This happens particularly easily with the long, forked branches of the rough hornleaf. If you decide to do this, then it's better to do it in its purest form.
