When creating and maintaining a pond, it’s important to be aware of certain plants that can cause problems. Here are some plants you should generally avoid putting in your pond:
1. Invasive Species
- Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Although it’s a popular choice for water gardens due to its attractive flowers, it can quickly take over your pond and block sunlight, which can harm other aquatic plants and animals.
- Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes): Similar to water hyacinth, water lettuce can spread rapidly and choke out other plants, leading to oxygen depletion in the water.
2. Aggressive Growers
- Cattails (Typha spp.): While cattails can be attractive, they are fast-growing and can dominate the space, making it difficult for other plants to thrive.
- Duckweed (Lemna minor): This tiny floating plant can multiply rapidly, covering the pond’s surface and blocking sunlight from reaching submerged plants.
3. Toxic Plants
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): This plant is highly toxic to both humans and animals. If any part of it enters the water, it can contaminate the pond and pose a danger to wildlife.
- Oleander (Nerium oleander): All parts of this plant are toxic, and even small amounts can be lethal to fish and other pond inhabitants.
4. Plants Requiring High Maintenance
- Lotus (Nelumbo spp.): While beautiful, lotus plants require a lot of space and maintenance. They can also spread aggressively if not properly managed.
- Water Lilies (Nymphaea spp.): While not inherently bad, water lilies can overgrow if not pruned regularly, leading to similar issues as invasive species.
5. Terrestrial Plants
- Ivy (Hedera spp.): Ivy and other terrestrial plants are not suitable for ponds as they are not adapted to aquatic environments. Their roots can rot, leading to water quality issues.
- Mint (Mentha spp.): Mint can be invasive and difficult to control in a pond environment. It can also disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.
By avoiding these plants, you can maintain a healthy and balanced pond ecosystem. If you’re unsure about a particular plant, it’s best to research its growth habits and potential impact on your pond before introducing it.
Aquatic Plants For Sale In Phoenix
For aquatic plants purchasing give us a call today at (623) 878-6695 or stop by our store and take a look at our wide selection of pond products. We can also install, service and maintain your fish pond.