How2Day: Indoor Pond Plants

Man-made ponds can be found indoors and out. Reggie Casagrande/Photodisc/Getty Images
Indoor water plants are grown in aquariums, barrels and a variety of other containers. The type of plants found in these indoor ponds depends on the type of container used and the owner's tastes and preferences. There are a wide number of pond plants to choose from: floating plants, flowering plants, and more traditional land plants that do well in aquatic environments.

Not only aesthetically pleasing, water lilies help block sunlight which discourages algae growth. Since indoor temperatures are controllable, indoor gardeners can choose tropical varieties as well as hardy lilies. Small water gardens are well suited for dwarf varieties. Some popular water lily cultivars are Marian Strawn, a classic day-blooming white flower and the Daubeniana, a lavender, small lily well suited for smaller container gardens. Water lilies are planted in containers which are then lowered into the pond. This allows the plant to take root without disturbing the pond floor.

Floating plants add a realistic flourish to indoor ponds. Varieties such as water hyacinths, water lettuce and duckweed are not rooted into soil. Instead, they drift through the pool adding an impression of depth and motion. Be aware that floating plants are often invasive when allowed into waterways. Some varieties may be restricted in your area.

Along the shores of natural ponds you see irises, lobelia and other water-loving bog plants. These marginal plants can be planted in or near the shallow edges of your indoor pond. Marginal plants have a wide range of colors, textures and architectural interest, from the low-growing flowering lotus to the upright sweet flag, which is grown purely for its foliage. This area of your indoor pond is a region which can reflect your own personal taste and design, from bamboo to cattails.

Oxygenating submerged plants like the elodea and milfoil provide fish with food as well as air. Experts from Texas A&M's Department of Horticulture recommend potting these plants in gravel and submerging the pots in the pond at a rate of one bunch per two square feet of surface area.

How2Day