Aquatic plants in and around the pond have double benefits: They look very pretty and act as a natural antidote to algae. In this article you will find out which aquatic plants are suitable for the pond and how to plant the beauties correctly.
Which aquatic plants are suitable for the pond?
Aquatic plants for ponds can be categorized into deep water and shallow water zones. Deep water plants include water lilies and pond bumblebees, while shallow water areas are home to plants such as swamp irises and rushes. Swamp plants such as calla lilies are suitable for the edge of the pond.
The benefits of aquatic plants in the pond
Aquatic plants naturally keep the pond water free of algae and clean. In this sense, they are the best sewage treatment plants. The plants filter nutrients from the water to use them for their own growth. Through this behavior they deprive algae of their livelihood (they can only multiply strongly in nutrient-rich water).
Which aquatic plants are suitable for the pond?
Which aquatic plants are ideal for your pond depends on exactly what the pond is like. It is important to differentiate between deep water and shallow water zones and to adapt the choice of plants accordingly.
Distinct between deep water and shallow water zones
Pond plants only thrive in the right water depth for them. It is therefore essential to determine the depth of different pond zones before purchasing new aquatic plants. Always measure from the top edge of the pond soil to the water surface.
Note: The sales label on the respective plant usually tells you which aquatic plant needs which depth of water. If in doubt, ask the dealer.
Also remember that you generally use plant baskets to plant aquatic plants (particularly for strong-growing plants with a tendency to spread, such as reeds and reed grass). A large basket is around 20 centimeters high. You must take this value into account when purchasing aquatic plants for your pond.
Example: The deepest part of a pond is often around 80 to 100 centimeters. If you subtract the height of a large plant basket from this, you get a “remaining depth” of 60 to 80 centimeters. This is the optimal depth for many water lilies.
Note: You don't necessarily need a plant basket for relatively weak-growing marsh and water plants such as the rush, calamus and calla lily. You can easily place these directly in the appropriate planting zones - provided that the zones are also filled with pond soil.
Deepwater plants
The queens of deep-water plants are undoubtedly the water lilies. They usually prefer a water depth of 50 to 80 centimeters. However, some Nymphaea feel comfortable at a depth of 30 centimeters. These are the small and rather weak-growing varieties such as “Froebelii” or “W alter Pagels”. In contrast, there are also strong-growing representatives such as “Gladstoniana”, which conquer depths of 100 centimeters and more. The special characteristics of water lilies are the elegant, heart-shaped floating leaves and the graceful flowers.
Note: Cheaper alternatives to the classic water lilies are the pond mummel (Nuphar) and the sea jug (Nymphoides). They form similarly beautiful floating leaves as water lilies, but do not bloom as profusely.
Shallow water plants
Here is an overview of aquatic plants that develop their full beauty in shallow water (ten to 30 centimeters deep):
- Swamp Iris
- Flower rush (“swan flower”)
- Heart-leaved pikeweed
- Arrowweed
- Fir fronds
- Calmus
Extra: Swamp plants for the edge of the pond
On the swampy edge of the pond - still within the pond liner/pond basin) - you can use various flowering perennials:
- Mock Calla
- Meadow Iris
- Swamp marigold
These are examples of popular marsh plants that cope well with the changeable conditions at the water's edge. They tolerate swampy soil, which can dry out temporarily in the hot summer periods, as well as light flooding up to a water depth of ten centimeters.
Notes: The mock calla is particularly popular. It impresses with its eye-catching flowers in spring and the up to one meter large leaves that appear a little later. Please note that the mock calla needs an extremely thick layer of soil (at least 40 centimeters). Richly flowering and uncomplicated bestsellers include the meadow iris and the marsh marigold.
How to add aquatic plants to the pond
Here are some essential tips for adding aquatic plants to the pond:
- Transplant the beauty from the sales pot into a sturdy plastic mesh basket (€35.00 on Amazon). The latter should be slightly larger than the root ball.
- Fill pond soil all around. This is lower in nutrients than normal plant soil (important to prevent algae).
- It also makes sense to use broken clay granules or lime-free gravel - each as an alternative or supplement to pond soil (again, to counteract increased algae growth).
- It is best to use coarse gravel for a koi pond. Otherwise you risk the fish digging the roots out of the baskets. Simply cover the soil, expanded clay or finer gravel with large pebbles.
Extra: Create a smooth transition
Create a smooth transition from the aquatic plants in your pond to the flower beds surrounding the water oasis. In this way you can achieve an absolutely harmonious integration of the pond into the garden environment.
It is advisable to use perennials for the beds that adjoin the swamp zone that visually match the swamp and aquatic plants. Examples of this:
- Meadow Rue
- Daylily
- Silver Candle
- Funkie
Tip
Be sure to leave part of the edge of the pond unplanted. Only then can you enjoy the fascinating life in and around the water up close.
