Plants

What's a pond or water feature without splashes of beautiful foliage, dripping with color and texture to please the eye! Pond plants come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures and are normally classified by the level in which they grow in the water.

The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants has hundreds of water plants listed by common name with pictures and descriptions. See also Texas Invasives.

Marginals: Horsetail Reed / Taro / Cattail / Thalia

These plants grow along the shallow to mid water depths of the pond perimeter. Strong root systems anchor these often large and vertical aspiring plants. Marginals can also be referred to as BOG PLANTS.

Submerged: Cabomba / Anacharis / Hornwort / Foxtail

These plants grow completely underwater in the mid to deep portions of the pond. They have a shallow root system that finds it's grip within the mud and rocks. These plants offer a safe haven for fishes and aquatic creatures as well as offer a direct plant to water oxygen exchange. Also referred to as OXYGENATORS.

Floaters: Hyacinth / Water Lettuce / Salvinia / Duckweed

These plants remain buoyant and float upon the waters surface at the mercy of the wind and current that carries them around the pond. Floaters often have a amazing reproduction and growth rate and can quickly overwhelm a pond. For this reason, many states prohibit the possession of said plants, as they quickly congest and overtake natural waterways choking out natural plants and destroying places of water recreation. Invasive yet very beneficial to pond environments, these plants offer fish and pond creatures safety, food, and quickly absorb harmful chemicals and pond nutrients.

Lily-Like: Frog Bit / Floating Heart or Water Snowflake

These plants often grow at or slightly above the surface of the water. Often having the same characteristics of a normal size lily, their delicate and miniature pads and small delicate flowers attract attention in large and small ponds alike.

Lily: Darwin / Dixie's Pride / Colorado / Zores

Flat, broad, green pads offer a perfect floating perch for frogs and dragonflies and shade for fish and algae control. A never ending selection of colors, flower varieties and pad sizes makes this plant a must have. Lilies are grouped into two categories: Hardy or Tropical.

The main thing that differentiates them for the grower is COLD! Tropical waterlilies don't like it and hardies tolerate it. Though all will go dormant in cold conditions, the rootstock of many hardies can survive in water just short of freezing solid. Where icing over is a threat, the tubers of tropicals must be removed from the pond and stored in moist cool to warm conditions to come back in future years. In warm climates they can remain in the pond. (Kit Knotts)

Lotus: Kinzuiren / Perry's Giant Sunburst / Dian E Zhuang

An aura of mystique surrounds the lotus, adding to its appeal. Legends and myths about it are woven through the history of civilization. It is important in many cultures, religions, and even agriculture. Tubers are staples in Asian diets, making it a valuable economic crop. Seeds and leaves are also edible. (Kit Knotts)

Please visit the Victoria Adventure website for much more information on Lilies and Lotus.

Now for the plant you Don't Want: String Algae

String Algae takes over when nutrients in the water come to an all time high. Without other plants and proper filtration to reduce this source in nutrients in the water- string algae soon takes advantage and grows at a feverish pace. Many resort to tactics from algae chemical killers to placing barley straw in the water.

One alternative is using hydrogen peroxide. Check out the fantastic write up by Water Bug Designs.

Carlos Flannery