Pond Plants are
easy to grow and will thrive in small
containers and large.
There
is no need to spend thousands of dollars
on growing
pond plants. Whiskey
barrel ponds
are an affordable
choice
and popular for small
patio
setting. Many pond plants are
eatable. They also clarify and
oxygenate the pond water. Floating
and potted pond plants not only add
beauty to gardens large and small, but
are also helpful in cleaning cattle
holding ponds. Although many
plants such as the common water lily are
known as pond plants, they are actually
bog plants and grow best in
shallow water.
Learn how to grow pond plants at home
year round!
►
POTTED POND PLANTS
Plant
easy care pond plants and Grow a
successful pond and water garden!
Water Lily There
are two types of water lily, tropical
and hardy. For beginners, a hardy
water lily is best because it
survives even freezing temperature.
Select a zone 4-8 water
lily.
Prepare loamy soil and plant lily in
a no holes plastic container. Cover
surface with pea gravel and water soil
down before placing in pond.
Place in a sunny pond about 18" deep or
to level where leaves float to surface
of water. Cut back lily in wintertime
and do not allow water to freeze solid.
Water Poppy Water
Poppy is a lily-like pond plant and
grows well in both deep and shallow
ponds - up to 18' deep. It will
grow with little care or pot in
loamy soil. If tossed bare
root into the water, anchor the water
poppy down with modeling clay to prevent
the entire plant from floating to the
surface. Will grow in in all zones in
partial to full sun. Keep pond water
from freezing or winter-over water poppy
in an
aquarium light box indoors.
Cattail Cattail
thrives in almost any climate and is
very easy to grow. Cattail is actually a
bog plant and needs very shallow water.
There are many types of cattail;
including common, miniature, and
variegated. Pot your cattail in
loamy soil and cut back in the
wintertime.
Horsetail Rush
Horsetail Rush is a shallow water
bamboo-like bog plant that will also
grow in subfreezing temperatures. Plant
in
loamy soil.
Cut back in the
wintertime or
winter-over
indoors.
Water Iris The
water iris is a shallow water bog plant.
The most common are yellow flag and
Japanese Iris. Any type of iris can be
adapted to grow in a bog condition.
Slowly acclimate iris tuber to wet
conditions and plant in
loamy soil. Cut back in winter. Do
not allow water to freeze solid.
Water Fringe Water
Fringe or Water Snowflake is a lily-like
flowering pond plant that will grow well
in a small container. Keep water from
freezing or winter-over indoors. Plant
in water about 6" deep in a no-holes
plastic container.
Sunshine and Fertilizing are
both important elements to
growing successful pond
plants.
Most pond plant require full
or partial sunlight.
If you
live in a hot climate
where the summer sun is
intense, filtered sunlight
is best to prevent leaf
burning. Filter your
pond sunlight with trees or
hang a canopy made of
nursery shade cloth.
In cold regions, be
sure to keep track of
weather conditions. When the
weather is expected to dip
down to freezing, cover your
pond with a
plas
Fertilizing pond plants
involves fish, oxygenating
plants, and plant
fertilizer.
The best fish for beginning
ponds are goldfish. Koi will
destroy your pond plants.
Oxygenating plants are
submersibles and include anacharis and hornwort.
Fertilize your pond plants
with Osmocote
(at your local nursery)
or pond plant fertilizer
tabs
(purchase online at eBay).
Planting with the
loamy soil mix
will also promote healthy
growth.
Also see
☼
Beginning Water Garden Fish
Mixing Loam
Mixing your own loam is
very easy and cost effective
too. It can be purchased in
commercial nurseries, but it
is hard to find and is also
costly. Regular potting soil
will not work for potting
pond plants, because it is
too light and fluffy.
It will dirty your pond
water and particles will
float to the water surface.
Loam is heavy sticky lake
bottom soil, but you can
make your own.
When mixing soil for
your pond plants, think
about the soil
conditions in the wild.
Take a field trip out to
visit a small lake or
bog. What is the
consistency of the soil
where the plants grow
best?
Basic loam is 1 part
clay soil to one part
river sand. Clean
playground sand will
work, but be sure it is
not salty sand or sand
that is for mixing
cement.
If you use silty soil
instead of clay soil, do
not mix it with the sand
because it will also
cloud the water.
Fill your container with
the silt first and then
cover with the river
sand.
Small pea gravel may
also be mixed in with
your loam, but is not
necessary.
Water
Fringe or Water Snowflake is a lily-like
flowering pond plant that will grow well
in a small container. Keep water from
freezing or winter-over indoors. Plant
in water about 6" deep in a no-holes
plastic container. 
