Floating Pond Plants
There are plants that seriously FLOAT in the water. Yes! Floating pond plants have roots that hang down into the water and are not attached to the rocks or mud. They just float. They are a fantastic addition to any pond!
Why use floating plants in the pond?
- Floating plants provide excellent filtration! The roots that hang down into the water absorb nutrients that will otherwise be consumed by algae.
- Floaters provide coverage from predators. They can’t see what they can’t eat.
- The additional shade provided by floating plants helps keep the water at a more consistent temperature. This is especially true in very shallow areas that tend to heat up quickly.
- Floating plants are a healthy snack for fish. YES! koi and goldfish may nibble at the roots.
- Floaters can be placed strategically so that they grow to cascade down waterfall drops. Simply either let them get stuck going down the waterfall or put a small rock on the roots to keep the plant right on the edge of the water flowing over a drop.
- Some floating plants flower!
- Floating plants provide a new dimension and interest to the pond.
- It only takes a couple of floating plants and you will have as many of them as you want! They reproduce quickly when the water temperatures are warm.
- You don’t have to water these plants!
- If they end up filling up too much of the pond they are easy to pull out and they are a great addition to a compost pile.
Do floating plants die in the winter in Colorado?
Here in Colorado, we are in zone 5. (unless you are in the mountains, then you may be zone 4 or even less). That means that floating plants are considered annuals. They will die off when it gets too cold. Luckily they are cheap!
Which ones should I use in the pond?
There are several floating plants but I only recommend a couple of them. Did you know that floating plants can become invasive? Yes, and in southern states many of them are banned completely because they can find themselves in a local waterway and become a giant problem in no time!
I recommend Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce. They both look nice and make their own plant babies. The fish like to nibble on them too.
Where should I place the floating plants?
Almost anywhere! You just have to ensure they do not get swept up in the current and get stuck in the skimmer. They can be placed:
- Along the edges of the stream or waterfall
- In the pond where there is less water movement
- in the top of the BioFall
- On a floating island
- In a floating hoop
Allow the roots to hang down and they will be a large part of your natural water filtration.
What to read next? How about The Secret To Getting Water Hyacinth to Bloom.
Kristi’s Tips
Don’t buy more than a couple Water Lettuce and/or Water Hyacinth. They will make babies like crazy, so no need to spend the money!
If your fish seem like they are tearing up the 2 floaters you purchased, simply put them somewhere the fish can’t reach them until you have a whole bunch of them. At that point is it safe to put them in with the fish. A little bit of their snacking won’t hurt a whole bunch of floating plants.
Remember to remove the floating plants right after the first hard frost. It’s easier to remove them before they are brown and dead!