Plants for planting in water

Planting your pond 1   2   3   4   5   6  

Planting in water is different. A pond has different depths of water. Each depth of water grows different types of pond plant. So these plants have to be different to garden plants.

  • the correct depth of water for each plant type is vital
  • use aquatic compost - a clay that does not float
  • use mesh baskets with holes in the base and sides
  • pond plants send their roots out into the water through the mesh holes in the baskets.

Combine all 3 of the plant types below to keep your water clean and clear and healthy. This will make your planting in water a success.

1. Submerged water planting:

  • Drop oxygenating plants into the pond either with or without a lead strip to bunch them dependent on the species of the plant. (Drop into water just as they are sent out by us)
  • Float totally submerged below the water surface in deep water.
  • Have few support cells in their stems or leaves as they float in the water.
  • If removed from water they will hang limply and will wilt very quickly - all stem and leaf surfaces need to be kept damp or wet.
  • Leaves are highly divided and able to absorb water, nutrients and dissolved gases.
  • Do not plant in a basket as they float freely in the water, moving up and down according to the water temperature.
  • Each variety can be out of stock at times due to the seasons. The longest available season is from Ceratophyllum demersum.

Why use oxygenating plants in a pond?

  • Oxygenating plants help clean the pond water by using up nutrients and minerals that could otherwise encourage the growth of algae and blanketweed.
  • They help keep pond water healthy and clear long term.
  • Photosynthesize by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen for underwater dwelling wildlife.
  • Provide shelter, protection and spawning habitat for some pond wildlife.
  • Ceratophyllum demersum is the best oxygenating plant in UK - British Native and best suited to our weather.

 2. Floating leaved plants:

  • Place waterlilies & Water Hawthorn deep in the pond and the leaves will grow up to float on the surface.
  • Waterlilies and Water Hawthorn 'breathe' through the pores on the top surface of the leaf. Do not place under constantly splashing water (it blocks their noses!).
  • Waterlilies grow from deep water and hold the leaf on the surface via stems with hollow tubes enabling air transfer necessary for the roots of the plant.
  • Frogbit & Water Soldier are free floating.

Why do I need waterlilies and other plants that grow leaves across the pond surface?

  • The shade created by leaves helps reduce algae growth as algae needs light to grow.
  • Cover 50% of surface water with leaf growth so that the water temperature remains cool for fish or wildlife.
  • Leaves provide hiding places for creatures as protection from birds.
  • Flowers are an added bonus.

3. Marginal Shelf plants:

  • Grow from below water level with stem, leaves and flowers showing on or above the water.
  • Place the rooted baskets on a shelf of a pond with a man-made liner or plant in the edge of a clay pond.

2 types of shelf plants:

  • Emergent or upright plants - stems and flowers growing up and out of water. Sent in 11cm baskets.
  • Rafting plants - horizontal growth that grows away from the basket & rafts across the water surface. Sent in 9cm baskets.

Why do I need plants on my pond shelf areas?

  • Shelf pond plants use nutrients to put on growth and flower at different times of the season.
  • Certain plants are needed by different wildlife types.
  • Amphibians - newts need Myosotis scorpioides or small-leaved rafting plants to lay eggs or dragonflies use upright emergent plants to climb up to emerge and fly.
  • Different plants help make the wildlife ecosystem of the pond into a balanced habitat.
  • Create visual interest and blend the pond into the rest of the garden.

Planting in water - each type of water plant likes a certain depth of water above its basket. Getting this right for each species will be crucial for their survival and for the success of a healthy, balanced habitat.