Choosing Plants For Your Koi Water Garden

So you finally finished your water garden construction. You have
finally come to the fun part of creating your water garden: picking
the flowers and plants that will make your water garden a beautiful oasis.

Not only should you consider beauty when you are picking your
plants, but you must also remember that plants provide another,
more important value to your garden, biological life.

Biological life helps maintain your pool by doing what they would do in nature.

Be sure to pay attention to your climate and area. Some plants can simply not survive in certain conditions, so it is wise to do your research before hand.

Talking with your local dealer will give you some idea of what plants you can and cannot have in your pond.

Lotus Plants

Undoubtedly, since your pond contains Koi, a tropical fish, you
may want to keep with the theme and place Lotus plants in your pond.

Pretty much everyone with a tropical water garden will want a
Lotus plant because the beauty is simply unmatched by other flowers.

Lotus plants provide beautiful blooms, and a smell that is unmatched. However, unless you live in an area that sustains
temperatures higher then 65 degree Fahrenheit, you will need to
have to have a place to house your Lotus plants during the colder months. A greenhouse setup specifically for water plants will work the best.

Lotus plants require soil, and a large amount of sunlight. They
should be planted in water about 2 to 3 feet deep during the warmer months, and indoors during the colder months.

Water Hyacinths

If you simply do not have the time to plant and maintain your
water garden’s foliage, or you are somewhat lazy when it comes to
gardening, you may want to consider adding Water Hyacinths. Water hyacinths have become very popular recently because of their simplicity.

They do not require any type of soil or planting, you must simply throw them into the water. Only minimal time is needed to anchor them down so that they do not float all over the pond freely.

Water Hyacinths are not only pretty, but are also very functional as well. These plants aid in the fight against both algae and blanket weeds.

One downside when having Water Hyacinths is the fact that they will take over your pond and yard if you allow them.

Water hyacinths are very invasive, and will spread if allowed. In extreme cases, it may even jump the fence and take over the neighbors yard as well.

Once they have caused this kind of infestation, it is notoriously difficult to get rid of them.

Hidden But Functional Plants

Alternatively, you may want to consider investing in plants that are
not necessary seen.

These plants live below the water line, and provide many needed functions to your pond.

Some help you battle algae, put oxygen back into the water, or feed your fish for you.

You can find these plants in bundles at your local pet store or Koi dealer.

The majority of underwater plants will not need additional support
during the winter, so once you place them in the water, you may not think twice about them again.

However, the benefits that you gain from having these types of
plants make up for the fact that you are not able to actually see them.

Also, the koi pond plants remove nitrogen that exists in the water,
along with phosphates which makes them a great filtering system.

free floating so more difficult to protect from nibbling koi. Water Hyacinth. Water Lettuce. Water Lily. Lotus. Water Poppy. Umbrella Plant. Water Iris. Horsetail.

Here are some of the most effective clear water plants. Oxygenating Pond Plants. Floating Pond Plants.

Variegated Water Celery. Water Iris. Water Cress. Pickerel Plant. Taro. Water Lilies.

The best plants for a koi or goldfish pond, including information on
top plant species, plant benefits, planting advice, and how to stop koi eating

Do koi ponds need plants?

Aquatic plants are considered an excellent addition to any koi pond.
Aquatic plants, in fact, help increase oxygen production in the
water, helping to keep the pond properly aerated for koi. …

The shade plants provide reduces incoming light into the pond and
thus limits photosynthesis of algae.

What plants are good for fish ponds?

Creeping Jenny Pond Plants. Often used as a ground cover in
terrestrial gardens, Creeping Jenny fares excellently when used in water gardening applications. …
Pickerel Pond Plants. …
Horsetail Pond Plants. …
Taro Pond Plants. …
Cardinal Flower. …
Water Lettuce. …
Mosaic Plant. …
Blue Irishornwort

Hornwort- is a very popular submerged aquatic plant among the
aquarium enthusiasts due to their hair like foliage and hardiness.

It is also known as Coontail, cedar moss, fish blankets, horn weed,
morass weed, rigid hornwort etc.

It is native to North America but it has now a worldwide distribution due to the aquarium and pond trade.

It occurs in ponds, lakes, ditches, quiet streams and marshes with
moderate to high nutrient levels where the water bottom contains
mud, some sand or rocky materials.

It generally occupies 0.5 to 15.5m depth ranges of the water body.
It has muscular and hair-like foliage that helps oxygenate and
clarify the water as well as keep algae growth to a minimum.

lotus plant

 

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of
India, Egyptian bean or simply lotus, is one of two extant species of
aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. Wikipedia

 

Do Koi eat plants?

Plants for Koi Ponds. … This is because koi are omnivores and eat plants.

This is not so much a problem when putting koi in an established pond with many plants already in it.

But, it can be a big problem when adding a few plants to an established koi pond.

How do I make my pond water clear naturally?

Use a biological filter. A biological filter uses bacteria to remove
organic waste that can accumulate in your pond. .
..
Add barley straw to your pond. As barley straw decomposes, it
releases a chemical that prevents algae from growing. …
Add plants to the pond.

How to choose Pond plants in your garden ponds landscaping

koi pond plants  As well as enhancing the look of a pond, pond plants help to maintain water

quality, providing a healthy environment for the fish.

The choice of plants will partly depend on the style of pond—a naturalistic pond looks best when heavily planted

around the edges so that it blends seamlessly into its environment, while a contemporary look may be best achieved with more minimalist planting.

A well-balanced, healthy koi pond must contain two types of plant: oxygenators , which release oxygen into the water, and floating plants , which provide shelter from sunlight.

Without these, or an efficient filtration system, the water in the koi pond can become overgrown with algae, which not only turns the water green, but can also affect the health of some fish species, such as Sterlets

Plants in the body of the pond also absorb nitrate— the product of the breakdown of fish waste—which lessens the burden on the filtration system.

Incorporating plants into a koi pond is not Incorporating plants into a koi pond is not straightforward,partly because of the depth of water, and also because koi have a habit of digging up plants and browsing on the growing shoots.

Most koi ponds, therefore, simply incorporate a few tall marginals, and perhaps some water lilies, whose leaves help to protect the fish from sunburn in the clear water.

Planting In a new pond, wait several days after filling before putting the plants in place, to allow the water temperature to rise to that of the environment.

Pot plants as necessary (see opposite), having first inspected them closely for any signs of disease or pests.

In temperate areas, spring is the best time to introduce new pond plants into an existing pond, because aquatic
plants start to grow rapidly at this time.

If the pond is large, you may need waders to put plants in place, and special pond gloves should always be worn.

These reach up to your shoulders and provide protection against waterborne diseases, such as Weil’s disease a potentially serious condition, spread by rodents, which causes jaundice.

TYPES OF KOI POND PLANTS

Plants for the pond can be divided into four categories, based on their growing habits and where in the pond they are to be found.

Oxygenating pond plants, water lilies,and floating pond plants are truly aquatic, growing in or under the water.

Marginal plants are a useful addition to the pond, not only as a decorative element,but also to provide an excellent habitat for insects.

PLANTING STYLES

The plants in and around a pond have a great effect on the overall impression created.

Traditional, formal ponds often incorporate lowgrowing plants, such as water lilies, which do not mask the crisp, neat edges of the pond.

Small ponds often benefit from the inclusion of taller, more architectural plants, such as reeds and grasses, which lift the eye, making the pond appear larger.

Three varieties of water lily (Nymphaea ‘Escarboucle’, ‘William Falconer’, and Marliacea Albida’) adorn this large, formal pond, which is bordered by the tall, elegant spikes of Iris laevigata ‘Variegata’, Canna flaccida, and Schoenoplectus lacustris.

Myriophyllum verticillatum covers one corner of the pond.

The vertical emphasis of the planting in this courtyard pond, achieved through the use of tall marginals, such as irises and rushes, enhances

the geometric lines of this modern style, while a single water lily (Nymphaea ‘Gladstoneana’) softens the look and provides cover for the fish.

Creative landscaping Edging around a pond strengthens its perimeter and helps to disguise the edge of the pond liner.

It can also prolong the life of the liner by shielding it from sunlight.

Hard construction materials, such as paving slabs or bricks, laid around the edge of a pond give a more formal look,

while natural stone or sod are ideal for a more informal pond. Another possibility is a wooden deck raised above water level,

but the wood must first be treated with a nontoxic preservative to keep it from warping or rotting.

Consider the access to the pond: if this is across a lawn, regular foot traffic can quickly result in an unsightly muddy
trail.

If you do not want to construct a path, set paving slabs into the grass as an informal solution.

The planting and landscaping around the pond can be used to disguise pond equipment. An external filter, for example,

can be hidden in vegetation in a flowerbed, although it must still be easily accessible for routine maintenance and servicing.

Moving water
A fountain is an attractive addition to any pond, and also creates a healthier environment for the fish by improving
the water’s oxygen content.

Water lilies prefer calm water, however, and will not thrive under the jet of a fountain, so they need to be located at the opposite end of the pond.

Water currents created by the fountain can waft floating plants to one side of the pond; before adding plants, test

the flow by floating a light plastic ball on the surface of the water while the koi pond fountain is operating.

If the ball drifts away from where you want the plants to be, adjust the positioning of the fountain.

Oriental-style koi ponds often incorporate bridges and decorative features of Japanese life, such as bonsai trees and

this popular style of bamboo water fountain (left). Japanese maples create a striking backdrop to the pond, and can be grown in pots or in the ground.

Reference from Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish D Aldeton DK 2008

hardy pond plants

Hardy Pond Plants. Hornwort, Bundle of 5. 3.4. Frogbit, Bundle of 3. 4.0. Water Hyacinth, Bundle of 3. 4.3. Grower’s Choice Hardy Water Lilies. 4.2. Virginalis Hardy Water Lily. Red Stemmed Parrots Feather, Bundle of 5. Jumbo Water Hyacinth, Bundle of 3. Pickerel Rush, Bundle of 2.

best plants for koi pond frequently ask questions

Will pond plants survive winter?

No other varieties will survive the winter. After their leaves turn brown, hardy marginals (bog plants) can be trimmed back.

Never cut plants with hollow stems off below the water level,
because they will die if completely submerged (cattails, rush, and pickerel rush).

Will water lettuce survive winter?

Unless you live in a climate that doesn’t freeze, floating plants like
hyacinth and water lettuce won’t survive the winter. …

If you leave them in the pond, the dead plants will decompose and
cause water quality issues through the wintertime.

How do you overwinter tropical water lilies?

Tropical Water Lilies
Keep them actively growing by placing them in warm water with bright light and warmth.

It will be difficult to maintain a minimum water temperature of 21°C (70°F). …
Over-winter a tropical Lily by letting the tuber go dormant. Leave the plant in the pond until after a killing frost.

Do water lilies die off in winter?

Although tropical water lilies do go dormant in winter, they are
only hardy to about USDA Hardiness Zone 9.

They will freeze and die if left in a cold pond over winter. … You can move your water lilies to smaller pots for the winter, if you like. Lift the plant and trim back some of the leaves and roots

Learn more about koi pond