Are you looking to improve the water quality in your pond or water feature? Floating pond plants are a fantastic solution to many water quality problems and can even make the water suitable for fish.
With so many floating pond plant options on the market, you won’t have a problem finding the right aquatic plant for you – not to mention finding a plant that will add character and beauty to your outdoor space.
In this article, we take a look at the best floating pond plants, why you should consider adding them to your pond, and more.
Benefits of Floating Pond Plants
Are there any advantages that come with planting floating pond plants? Can pond plants help keep your pond clean? Pond plants have a lot more to offer then just aesthetic beauty.
- Add shade to the ecosystem
- Filter and clean the water
- Absorb extra nutrients in the ecosystem
- Balance PH levels in the water
- Add character and beauty to the water
- Provide habitat for fish
What are the 3 types of aquatic plants?
Aquatic plants are normally categorized into three groups: emergent, submergent, and floating. Emergent aquatic plants are rooted in the pond bottom but extend above the water’s surface. Submergent plants are rooting in the pond bottom, with leaves and stems extending upward in the water column. Floating pond plants have leaves that float on the surface of the water and roots that dangle freely in the water below.
Top Five Floating Pond Plants (Updated)
There are too many beneficial pond plants to list in this article, but here are a few fan favorites. These aquatic plants are easy to grow, easy to maintain, and beautiful when in bloom.
1. Duckweed
Duckweed is a popular aquatic plant to add to any size pond or lake. Duckweed spreads out in a small network of little leaves that add shade and oxygen to the water. For this reason, duckweed is a great choice if you are hoping to improve the water quality for the sake of fish, frog, or even turtle habitat.
This common floating pond plant can be aggressive in the right conditions. If duckweed is left untended, it can overtake an ecosystem, depleting nutrients for other organisms in the water. With that being said, it’s a great aquatic plant choice if you are looking to reduce algae growth and add shade to the pond.
2. Water Hyacinths
This aquatic plant has become a popular option for many ponds because of the stunning purple flowers that blossom from late summer into the fall. Around 20 flowers will bloom from just a single water hyacinth plant, so it won’t take many to transform your water feature.
Water hyacinths can grow in both cold and warm water climates, but can become aggressive in too warm of temperatures.
3. Water Lilies
This popular floating water flower is not only stunning when in bloom, but also advantageous for reason of water quality. Water lily is a versatile plant. As it comes in many styles and varieties, it usually isn’t hard to find a style that will thrive in your climate and pond water temperatures.
While it does add tremendous shade to any pond, water lily is most known for its incredible flower blossom. Often referred to as the nymphs of the garden, there is little wonder as to why the water lily became as popular as it is.
4. Water Fern
Like duckweed, water fern is notorious for spreading quickly in most growing environments. This beautiful and oxygenating pond plant can add Japanese-garden like beauty to any pond, but will also provide ideal shade and cover for many fish species.
Although it can spread quite fast, water fern can be maintained easily since the entire plant is free floating, with roots just beneath the surface of the water.
5. Frogbit
This perennial floating pond plant resembles duckweed in size and profile, and like duckweed this plant will overtake an ecosystem if left unattended. Frogbit is bright green, with leaves that cover the surface of the water and a root system that suspends just below.
Occasionally, Frogbit can reproduce so rapidly that leaf clusters will form just underneath the surface of the water. This popular aquatic plant is great not just for outdoor water features, but also for home aquariums and fish tanks.
What flower floats on water?
Choosing a floating water flower to add to your pond is another popular option, especially if you are looking to add a little more color to your landscaping. Here is a list of a few of the most common floating water flowers:
- Water Lilies
- Water Hyacinth
- Lotus
- Water Iris
- Water Hawthorn
- Pickerelweed
Final Words
If you are looking for a solution to a water quality problem or are simply hoping to improve the look of your home pond or water feature, aquatic plants are the answer. With a multitude of options to choose from, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a plant that looks great and checks all the boxes at the same time!
If you are looking for a quicker way to oxygenate your pond then try one of our aerators! They create an oxygen rich environment that will help your fish thrive and control algae growth. Its a great short and long term solution!