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5 Plants to Add to Your Koi Pond
Plants in a koi pond perform a lot of important functions. Some act as water oxygenators, while others offer shelter to different types of wildlife. Placing plants in your koi pond provides shade and regulates the temperature of the pond while giving female koi a place to attach their eggs. Here’s a list of the best plants that should get placed around your koi pond, brought to you by the staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a leading provider of koi pond supplies.
1. Water Lotus
While water lotuses are low maintenance, they do have a few requirements. These plants flourish in water up to 87 degrees and about 12-18 inches deep. Because the leaves of the water lotus plant are up to two feet wide, make sure you leave plenty of space between each individual plant. We recommend planting these stunning plants in a pond planter pot to contain them. At Aquatic Warehouse, we like to use 50 percent pond planter mix along with all-natural unscented cat litter. Add 2-4 fertilizer plugs (we use ADA Plant Fertilizer Sticks for amazing results):
2. Water Hyacinth
Water hyacinths can grow in both deep and shallow water because they float. They’re low-maintenance plants and can grow in many different climates. Their flowers also attract pollinator animals such as bees and hummingbirds. Though the root structure of these fast-growing plants can help out with nutrient uptake and water clarity, you need to watch these plants because they can crowd out other plant life in the koi pond if you’re not careful.
3. Horsetail
Horsetails have been around for millions of years. They can grow around the edge of a pond or in shallow water. Horsetails can also filter water and even hold water themselves. The great thing about horsetails is that they don’t crowd out other plant life in a koi pond. If you find you have too many horsetails in your pond, you can easily remove them. However, these plants have what’s known as a root system, with rhizomes that are like cattails, and they can be hard to get rid of once they’re established. To remove these plants permanently, you’ll need to pull up all of the rhizomes so they don’t return at a later date.
4. Water Duckweed
These plants tend to grow in groups or colonies. They can spread like crazy, so you’ll need to do some netting or thinning out to ensure the plants don’t crowd out the remaining plant life in your koi pond. Some experts consider water duckweed to not be worth the trouble. However, the plants oxygenate the water and can also purify it. They even perform as a food source for various types of birds.
5. Water Lily
Lilies are another plant that can grow in either shallow or deeper water. Your koi can swim and hide beneath the lily pads, lay their eggs under the leaves, and eat the roots and leaves. Some of the most beautiful flowers in the world are “tropical lilies.” In every color you can imagine, these beauties will also need fertilizer sticks.
Plants can beautify your pond, but you need to maintain it and make sure you have all the essential supplies to keep it looking beautiful for many years to come. From filtration to submersible pond pumps, you can rely on Aquatic Warehouse to provide everything you need to maintain your pond. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, check out our website, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.