Read About Pond Plant Species

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Pond Plant Species

Nothing makes a pond look more natural than healthy pond plants. Here's what you need to know about Pond Plant Species.

Pond plants help keep the water clean and oxygenated and provide a food source for many animal species. There are several types of pond plants, each with a variety of species. Check with your local pond supply store to determine what types are native to your area and likely to thrive.

Algae

Algae are primitive plants that have no roots and can be microscopic, grow in hair-like masses or even resemble large traditional plants. Chara is a gray-green complex algae form that grows to resemble submerged flowering plants. Filamentous algae such as spirogyra, anabaena and lyngbya are single-cell algae that form long, hair-like mats. It is often what people refer to as "pond scum." Although it is not a known food source, it is cover for many tiny life forms that are food sources. Stoneworts are another branched algae form that is light to dark green.

Floating Plants

Floating plants have roots that hang into the water. Bladderwort, common duckweed, giant salvinia, water hyacinth and mosquito ferns are all varieties of floating plants. Choose several of contrasting color and leaf shape for the most natural look.

Emergent Plants

This is the category of the well-loved water lily. Emergent plants are rooted into the ground below the water with their stems, leaves and flowers showing above the surface. Banana lily, cattail, dollar bonnet, soft rush and water pepper are just a few varieties of emergent plants available.

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