Popular types of beautiful aquatic plants for your pond

A simple way to control excess nutrients in your pond that can subsequently create algae problems is with aquatic plants. Plants take nitrates from the water, which deprives the algae of the nutrients it needs to live. Surface or floating plants also provide shade, reducing the amount of sunlight entering the pond, thereby further reducing algae.

Water Lillies
The lush, floating leaves of the vibrant lily sweep across the pond's surface, providing cover for fish and protection from the sun. To keep lilies healthy and enhance their elegance, submerge them at a depth of 18 inches and fertilize with a high quality product like TetraPond LilyGro™ Tablets. These beautiful plants like calm waters, so it’s important to locate them away from a waterfall or fountain.

Popular varieties:
  • Nymphaea 'Saint Louis Gold'
  • Nymphaea gigantica
  • Nymphaea 'Gloriosa'
  • Nymphaea odorata 'Minor'
  • Nymphaea 'Charles de Meurville'
Submerged Oxygenating Plants
These submerged plants provide essential oxygen and act as a natural biological filter, benefiting the entire pond ecosystem. One bundle of oxygenators is recommended for every square foot of the pond's surface area. They should be placed at the bottom of the pond, tied to a weight or small rock.

Popular species:
  • Elodea
  • Anacharis
  • Parrot feather
  • Hornwart
  • Moneywart
Floating Plants
These plants not only look great, but they also add shade while removing excess nutrients through their extended root system. They can be prolific, but are easily removed by hand if they have begun to take over the pond.

Popular species:
  • Water hyacinth
  • Parrot feather
  • Water lettuce
  • Frogbit, lotus
Marginal Plants
These attractive, hardy plants come in myriad sizes, shapes, and colors. These plants benefit the pond by removing excess nutrients that could otherwise feed algae. Marginals grow best in shallow waters or a bog at the edge of the pond. A bog area is shallow, about 6” deep, lined with pea gravel and filled with plants. Water is pumped up to it, then it flows through and over a waterfall or entrance into a pond.

Popular species:
  • Water clover (great on waterfalls)
  • cardinal plant
  • dwarf cattail
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