How Pond Plants Help Control Algae

Afactor that may make potential pond owners hesitant in making the investment isthe amount of work and maintenance that the pond needs. It's true, in order tobe as clean as possible, a pond does take regular maintenance, but few peopleunderstand just how effective the addition of pond plantscan be. If you're wanting a quick chemical fix like an algaecide, those areavailable, but they're not as effective or ecologically sound as pond plantsare. Plus, the algae is bound to come back once the chemical wears off which inturn creates a dependence on the chemical, makes more work for you, and costsyou more money in the long run. Planting various pond plants in and around yourpond can help control algae naturally by effectively limiting the growthfactors algae need to survive. It is a cost-effective way to create thenaturally balanced pond you've always dreamed of.

Tocontrol algae, first understand the conditions that must be met in order foralgae to thrive: sunlight, nutrients and low oxygen water. It stands to reason,then, that controlling the factors that allow algae to grow in turn controlsalgae.

LimitExposure to Sunlight

Planting water liliesor lotusplants are a great way to shade your pond from the sun. These widespreading plants have thick, broad green leaves and bright colorful flowers andare excellent at shading the pond from sunlight. It is recommended thatbetween 40% and 60% of the pond surface be covered in plants to effectivelyreduce algae growth. Lilies and Lotus are also efficient at reducingproblematic nutrients that fuel algae.

NutrientStarvation

Speakingof nutrients, algae need nutrients to survive and they get them from decayingfish waste, excess food and other organic waste that is left in a pond. This iswhere your hands-on maintenance comes in handy. Removal of big debris andorganic waste helps your pond by leaving it free to control the small stuffthat you can't see. The use of pond plants will control nutrients, limitingwhat is available for the algae to consume. Marginalsand submergedgrasses are voracious consumers of nitrates and phosphates and will out-competealgae for them, effectively starving the algae.

Increase Oxygen

Sincealgae prefer stagnant, carbon dioxide rich environments, adding more oxygen tothe pond will create an environment that is not conducive to algaegrowth. Through the addition of oxygenating grasses, like hornwort,additional oxygen can be added to the pond naturally, while also adding anotherlevel of defense against excess nutrients.

Controllingalgae is done by limiting one or all three of the environmental conditions thatmust be met for algae to thrive in your pond. Fortunately, pond plants arenature's cure and are an easy and attractive addition to any pond or watergarden. A combination of lilies, marginals and grasses will make a pond cleanerand more ecologically balanced, grabbing eyes and attention all the more.