How to Grow Water Plants

Water plants have the ability to transform any water feature into a beautiful and thriving aquatic gem. Not only that, they also perform a vital role in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Whether you're looking to add new plants to your pond, aquarium, or water garden, or looking to create one from scratch, here's everything you need to know about growing water plants.

Types of Water Plants

Before you start growing water plants, it's important to know the different types of plants that thrive in aquatic environments. Here are the five common types of water plants:

Submerged plants – These plants grow entirely underwater, with roots anchored to the pond floor. Examples include eelgrass, hornwort, and wild celery.

Emergent plants – These plants grow in shallow water with their roots anchored in the pond floor and stems and leaves above the water like cattails, bulrushes and lilies.

Free-floating plants – These plants grow in the water column, with no roots attached to the pond floor. Examples include water hyacinth and duckweed.

Marginal plants – These plants grow in the shallow areas around the edge of the pond. Examples include arrowhead, marsh marigold and water iris.

Moisture-loving plants – These plants grow in the area surrounding the pond, in moist soil. Examples include ferns, hostas, and astilbes.

Choosing the Right Water Plants

When choosing water plants for your pond, aquarium, or water garden, you should consider the size of your water feature, your climate, and the sunlight your water plants will receive. If you have a small pond, for instance, you should opt for smaller water plants. If you live in a colder climate, select plants that are more frost-hardy. You should also consider the amount of sunlight that your water plants will receive, as some plants require more sunlight than others to thrive.

Planting Water Plants

When planting water plants, you should use a planting container that is appropriate for the size of your water feature. Fill the container with aquatic planting soil, place your plant inside, and cover the roots with more soil. If the water is too deep, use bricks or rocks to elevate the container. For free-floating plants, simply release them into the water. Marginal plants should be planted in the shallow area of the pond, not deeper than the first shelf.

Watering Water Plants

Water plants require a specific depth of water, depending on the type of plant. Submerged plants require at least 12 inches of water, emergent plants require shallower water, and free-floating plants require a few inches of water. Marginal plants require two to four inches of water in the planting container.

When planting water plants, ensure that the plants are well watered immediately after planting. Afterwards, water your water plants regularly to maintain proper moisture levels. However, ensure that your water feature does not become stagnant. Stagnant waters can promote the growth of unhealthy algae and bacteria in your water feature.

Maintaining Water Plants

Maintaining your water plants is essential to keep them healthy and thriving. If the leaves of your water plants turn yellow, trim them to encourage new growth. Remove any dead foliage, which can rot and promote the growth of bacteria in your water feature. If you notice any pests on your plants, remove them immediately. Also, check for plant diseases such as fungal and bacterial infections.

In conclusion, growing water plants is relatively easy once you understand the different types of plants and their unique needs. With the right conditions and proper care, your water plants will turn your water feature into a captivating and lush oasis.