There are many types of water plants available. They are not only aesthetically pleasing, but can also benefit a water feature in numerous different ways. A pond is a charming addition to any garden, but it can often require quite a bit of maintenance in order to stay healthy. Many water plants help maintain the water by oxygenating it and interacting with other elements in the water such as algae or other microorganisms. The benefits of water plants add to their appeal, and mean that they are much more than just pretty flowers that are pleasant to look at but serve no real purpose.
There are a number of different types of water plants that can be grown in a pond or similar water feature. Different types have different attributes, and can contribute in different ways. Submerged aquatics are water plants that grow beneath the surface of the water. They are very useful oxygenators, and can help maintain the cleanliness of the water. They also make the water more suitable for fish or other water life.
Deep-water aquatics are water plants that grow in water that is at least half a meter in depth. They can be very long, with their leaves floating on the surface of the water. They can be confused with free-floating water plants that simply float around the surface of the water, with their roots hanging beneath them. These plants are often the most visually attractive, having large flowers on them. Other water plants called marginal plants grow when semi-submerged in shallow water, and are often placed around the sides of water features.
There are many benefits that can be taken advantage of by growing water plants in a pond or similar water feature. The roots of most of the aforementioned plants absorb nutrients from the water, and help stop these nutrients from building up and contaminating the water. The plants produce oxygen as a result of photosynthesis, and this keeps the water healthy and allows other water life to flourish.
There are a number of more obvious ways that these plants can be useful. Water plants with large leaves can help shade the water and maintain a low temperature in warm weather. This is very beneficial to fish or other water life. The roots and stems of submerged aquatics such as water lilies can help to hide young fish from predators, and allow them to grow healthily with as little threat as possible.