Backyard pond plants are a very important part of having a good healthy pond.

Different plants have different functions.  Some plants will help provide coverage for your fish during the hot summer months, some will help add oxygen to the water, while others just add to the beauty of your pond.

Water Hyacinth is one of those plants that provide great coverage for the pond. Parrots Feather is a great underwater plant to help supply nutrients and oxygen to the water.  Hardy Water Lilies help add some beauty to your pond just by floating around the surface, while Dwarf Cattails are great for making your pond look more like a natural setting.

Backyard pond plants are an important aspect of your pond in more ways than one. You want to make sure to get a good amount of them for your pond.

Below are some pictures of some popular backyard pond plants.

American Lotus

American Lotus originated from the eastern and central United States which bring some more color to your pond. These pond plants with their large bright yellow blossoms are a great addition to any pond. Their blossoms can get as large as 11 inches in diameter. American Lotus does the best in nice warm water temperatures of around 80 degrees to have consistent blooms. The leaves are umbrella shaped and can grow three feet above the water. As far as wintertime, it’s best to trim the foliage down to about two inches above the crown and sink to the bottom of your pond.

 

Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth is absolutely a great backyard pond plant to have. They grow really fast and provide excellent coverage and shade for your fish. They produce a delicate purple flower with a yellow eye on one petal. The Water Hyacinth root system is excellent for water filtration by absorbing excess nutrients that would normally help feed the algae and keep your pond water clearer. Theses plants thrive in the sun and heat and as I mentioned grow quite rapidly. The blooms add color to your pond throughout the growing season and should be brought in during the winter months. On a personal note, my wife and I saved some over the winter in our basement and they did pretty well. It’s a good idea to add the Water Hyacinth to your pond, you’ll be glad you did.

 

Parrots Feather

Parrots Feather is great for supplying shade and shelter for your fish. It can grow as both a submerged or outside the water. It’s a great plant to put in the crevices of your waterfall. Parrots feather is textured foliage and its stems can grow between 20 and 60 inches in length. This plant can winter over well submerged in your pond and can be ready for the next year without buying more. An excellent plant that uses up nutrients that would normally feed algae. Another good thing about it is that it's an excellent material for fish when they're spawning.

 

Dwarf Cattails

Dwarf Cattails around your pond makes for a nice conversation piece. This is a pond plant that you want to plant in a container and set on the ledge in the water of your pond. These plants can grow rapidly with runners, that’s why it’s best to contain them. Dwarf Cattails have the fuzzy brown floral spikes that they’re known for. Instead of growing down into the water of your pond, they grow straight up. Try to plant them in a pot of at least 8 to 10 inches in diameter. They can get fairly tall and look really nice around the pond. As far as winter goes, just cut them down to about two inches and they’ll be ready to go the next year. If your looking for something different that looks nice, and sure to get plenty of comments, go with the Dwarf Cattails.

 

Hardy Water Lilies

Hardy Water Lilies are best to be planted in a 3 to 5 gallon potting container and sunk to the bottom of your pond. The lily pads can get pretty big around and the flowers they produce are beautiful. Hardy Water Lilies can come in a wide range of colors and they generally bloom from June through September. My experience with them has been successful, however this year for some reason, the Koi are destroying them. I guess ideally, you would want to try and keep your fish away from them, which I obviously don’t. They love to tug on them. As far as wintertime goes, just trim them down to about two inches above the crown and sink them to the bottom of your pond, your Hardy Water Lilies will be ready to go next year.

 

There are many other kinds of backyard pond plants, but these are just a few that I wanted to share with you that we have actually had.  It doesn't really matter what kind you get as long as you get some.  They're great for your pond.  Bob

You won't have to buy a lot of backyard pond plants at the beginning of the season because they rapidly multiply and you'll probably be getting rid of some as the season goes by.
 

Pond plants supply the needed shade and protection for your fish if you have any.