Types Of Aquatic Plants

As water gardeners we must be very selective in the plants we use in our ponds. Most aquatic plants available are exotic species, not native to our area, and could cause problems to the native ecosystem if introduced. While these plants may be used in your water garden they must be kept out of public waters including lakes, wetlands & streams. We encourage you to use the many native aquatic plants now available. Click Here for MN. D.N.R article "What Every Water Gardener Should Know"

Water plants are divided into two major groups: Hardy and Tropical.

The hardy water plants mentioned are those that are tolerant of our climate zone (zone 4) and will reemerge and start growing in the spring. Most of these plants can be successfully over wintered in your Minnesota pond. Tropical aquatics are native to tropical climate zones and will need to be treated as annuals or given special care to over winter successfully in our climate. They are usually added later in the spring when water temperatures reach 65 degrees or higher. Most aquatic plants prefer full sun (6-8 hrs.) but many varieties will tolerate less sun and do just fine. The Taro actually enjoys partial shade and may develop leaf burn in full sun. By experimenting with various plants you will find which do best in your ponds location.

There are three general categories of water plants: Marginal, Submerged & Floating.

Aquatic marginal (Shoreline) plants grow in shallow water (2”-8”) or moist soil at the waters edge. These plants are used to soften the rock edges and create a transition from the water to the landscape areas surrounding the pond. Most are planted on a shallow gravel plant shelf or elevated with stones in deeper water. Sweet Flag, Blue Flag, Marsh Marigold and Pickerelweed are a few of the hardy marginal plants. Taro, and Umbrella Palm are a couple of the Tropical marginal plants available. Follow each plants recommended water depth and light requirements for best results. Certain plants such as the hardy horsetail rush (Equisetum hyemale) can become invasive and should be kept in a container or thinned periodically to keep them under control. You may also want to keep a few aquatic plant containers handy for your Tropical plants if you plan to over winter them indoors.

Submerged (Oxygenating) aquatics are often overlooked but are very critical in keeping a well balanced pond. They are planted in the deeper areas (15”-24”) of your pond and directly compete with the algae for nutrients. Submerged plants also provide your fish with a hiding place and spawning substrate. Horn Wort, Ribbon grass, and Canadian pondweed are hardy and readily available. We recommend at least a couple of these natural water filters in every pond.

Floating plants float at the surface of the water. Their roots dangle beneath them and are not planted in soil. Floating plants play an important part in keeping a clean and healthy pond. They shade the pond and consume nutrients, keeping algae under control. Most floaters are Tropical including Water Lettuce and the Water Hyacinth. These are treated as annuals in colder climates. We highly recommend including a few different varieties of floating plants in your pond. The Water Hyacinth is an excellent water filter and will provide shade and cover for your fish.

Water lilies provide some of the most stunning blooms in the pond. They come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. They are planted in deeper areas (15”-24”) of the pond and prefer calm water and should be kept away from the waterfall or fountain spray. Lilies help to reduce algae by providing shade with their numerous large leaves. They multiply rapidly and should be split and repotted after a few seasons for best blooms. Lilies come in both hardy and tropical varieties. Tropical varieties need warm water temperatures and will need to be treated as an annual or brought indoors for the winter in colder climates. Hardy lilies are readily available and most can be over wintered in the pond. For information & photos on how to over winter your hardy Lilies Click Here

Hardy lilies usually bloom during the day. A variety of night blooming Tropical lilies are available. They bloom in the evening and remain open through the night. For those who arrive home late or entertain at night the night blooming tropical lily is a great choice. 

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