Koi and Pond
Plants
There are 2
types of aquatic
gardens, a koi
garden and a
water garden
that is just for
pond plants.
If you plan to
have koi in your
pond, count on
not
having any
plants.
Commonly known
as "water hogs",
Koi are curious
creatures and
will eat the
roots right off
of floating
water hyacinth
and water
lettuce.
They will also
chew the stems
off of water
lily right down
to a nub.
Although young
yearlings may
not harm your
plants, mature
koi will
devastate your
garden
investment.
Can I have
both koi and
pond plants?
It is
possible to have
both koi and
pond plants in
the same garden,
but it takes
some planning
and design.
This is what the
nursery at
Seaside Gardens
have done,
see video.
On one end of
the pond they
have their koi.
The other side
of their pond
has a wall made
of large river
rock under the
water making a
barrier to keep
the koi away
from the plants.
Plants can also
be grown on a
floating island
or on shelves at
the edge of the
pond. I do
not recommend
netting to
protect the
plants as the
fish may become
tangled in the
netting.
Another way
to keep koi and
pond plants in
the same pool
Water
Hyacinth and
Water Lettuce
will not hurt
your koi.
These plants are
actually used as
cattle feed in
some parts of
South America.
I have also
known some
gardeners that
eat water
hyacinth and
water lettuce.
I do not
recommend it,
because the
plants are
bitter. If
you want to have
plants in your
pond with koi, I
recommend that
you grow your
water hyacinth
and water
lettuce in a
Rubbermade tub.
They grow
quickly enough
that you can
replace the
plants the fish
will nibble on.
What do I do
with the old
pond plants?
The old plants
are a good
additive to the
mulch pile and
are full of
absorbed
nutrients from
the fish
excrement, also
known as fish
emulsion - a
water hyacinth
and water
lettuce are natural
"fish" fertilizers which
is very
expensive to
buy!
What kinds of
fish
will not harm
my pond plants?
Yes! The
common feeder
gold fish will
not harm pond
plants.
They come in a
variety of
colors and grow
to about 5
inches long.
They will also
live for about 8
years. I
rarely feed my
goldfish and
they do just
fine. With
water hyacinth
in the garden,
your gold fish
will even have
babies by laying
their eggs in
the thick water
hyacinth roots.
Other fish that
do well in the
pond are catfish
and bluegill.
Have
both Koi
&
Pond Plants in the
Same Pond