What do oxygen plants do in the garden pond?
Oxygen plants - i.e. aquatic plants that produce plenty of oxygen - grow under water. They absorb nutrients from the water through the leaf and give off oxygen as a thank you.
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In this way, the oxygen-giving aquatic plants form an important basis for the natural balance in the pond. They help to keep the water quality high. That means they keep the water clear and healthy and prevent algae growth.
This is important for the aquatic plants to thrive
In order to thrive and to be able to fully exploit their abilities in terms of oxygen delivery, the aquatic plants need good basic conditions, which look like this:
- lots of light
- Temperature from twelve to 25 degrees Celsius
- plenty of nutrients in the water
- CO2 (from pond fish)
Caution: If oxygen plants do not grow or only grow poorly, this is usually due to an insufficient expression of one or more of the conditions mentioned.
Which plants are good sources of oxygen?
Not all aquatic plants are diligent suppliers of oxygen. In principle you have to know that only underwater plants produce oxygen (floating plants have other advantages).
It should also be borne in mind that not all oxygen plants produce oxygen all year round. Therefore you should pay attention to a suitable composition of the aquatic plants.
- Spring and winter: water buttercup (Ranunculus aquatilis)
- Summer and autumn: horn leaf (Ceratophyllum demersum), waterweed (Elodea) or pondweed (Potamogeton)
Other well-known oxygen plants for the garden pond are:
- Water feather (Hottonia palustris)
- Fir fronds (Hippuris vulgaris)
How should oxygen plants be placed in the pond?
Place the oxygen plants under water in a special growth substrate, in sand, gravel or clay balls.
While aquatic plants in nature take root directly into the ground, you shouldn't force this in your garden pond at home - especially if there is a foil on the ground or you have a pond.
It is therefore advisable to always use plant baskets for the oxygen plants. The seals and tapes must first be removed from these.
Note: ONLY place oxygen plants in a pond with healthy water quality. Under no circumstances should you place the plants in a garden pond that is already covered with algae. In such an uncomfortable environment, the aquatic plants cannot thrive (algae rob all of the CO2 from the water).
A rule of thumb to conclude this guide: Five bundles of oxygen plants per 1000 liters of water are optimal.
