How to Grow Floating Pond Plants

Floating plants are not only decorative in ornamental ponds, but help filter the water, shade and feed the fish and aid in the general natural balance. They will also cut down on unwanted green water and and other algae problems. Here are some suggestions on how to grow floating pond plants.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Azolla with waterlilies

   Azolla
   There are several types of Azolla. They are all small plants and are actually true ferns. Most are bright green and will turn a rich red in the autumn as the water cools. Azolla helps to fix nitrogen and any extra plants that are skimmed out of the water can serve as an excellent compost or mulch for the garden. These little plants float in large blankets on the surface of the water giving shade to fish beneath and sheltering ponds from too much algae-causing bright sun. Fish love to nibble on them and they are very nutritious. Most varieties can handle a light frost.

2. 
    
   Water Hyacinth in flower

   Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes)
   The water hyacinth is a shiny odd shaped, bulbous, bright green plant that spreads by throwing off plantlets all around its stem. The shiny green growth is very decorative and the groups of plants will sail gently around the pond surface. In the spring and summer the water hyacinth will bloom with decorative soft lavender flowers painted with blue and yellow-splashed interiors. These plants proliferate so enthusiastically that they can choke up rivers and streams in their natural environment and your pond, too. They cannot withstand frost.

3. 
    
   Water lettuce pond plant

   Water lettuce (Pistia stratioes)
   The water lettuce is a floating plant with thick, spongy light green corrugated leaves that grow in a rosette, looking like big soft green floating flowers. These plants have extensive root systems that hang down below the plant into the water creating their own filtration system. Large fish like koi like to munch on root systems. These plants also grow prolific offshoots that will allow the plants to multiply and they can become invasive in limited spaces. The water lettuce cannot handle any frost.

4. 
    
   Giant Sensitive Plant

   The Giant Sensitive Plant (Aeschynomene flutians) is a fascinating plant that will actually move and close up its leaves if touched. The Aeschynomene grows 1 to 3 inch leaves on a floating swollen, soft white stem that can attach lightly onto the edge of the pond. Large sweet-pea-like flowers are showy and bright yellow. The Giant Sensitive Plant can grow in part shade or full sun. This plant can not tolerate any frost at all.

5. To grow these plants -- or other floating pond plants -- you simply toss your new plants onto the surface of your pond and let them grow on their own. Maintenance will likely be nothing other than pulling out extras when they cover more than 50% - 75% of the water surface.

6. Never release pond plants or fish into local waters to dispose of extras. In warmer climates these non-native plants can thrive to the point of pushing out the native species and creating ecological problems. For more information on how to grow these and additional floating pond plants, please check the links under Resources, below.

Resources

• Utah Water Club: Floating plants
• Crystal Creek Pond Supply Plants
• Landscape design and gardening information
• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[joni04]

on 5/18/2009 I will pass this article onto my Mom, she has a pond she would love these in. Are you entering these in to he eHow Home and Garden contest?