If you’re trying to make your pond healthier, you’ll need to add oxygenating plants to the water. These plants live underwater and assimilate nutrients and release oxygen to keep the water clear and healthy. Their growth is dependent on CO2 in the air, but poor water quality can inhibit their growth. Low CO2 can also promote algal growth. Here are the best oxygenating plants for ponds. Read on to find out which ones are right for your pond!
Areca Palm
An Areca palm is one of the best oxygenators in the home. It absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and releases more oxygen, so a single one can significantly increase the oxygen levels in your home. According to an ASPCA report, this plant is safe for humans and pets alike. However, prolonged exposure to dry air can cause symptoms such as skin irritation, eye itching, coughing, tightness in the joints, and a sore throat. These symptoms can worsen respiratory ailments like bronchitis, asthma, and sinusitis.
The Areca palm is native to Madagascar and grows well indoors. Its slender leaves are bright green in color and arch upward from the opposite sides of the stems. These leaves purify the air by removing airborne toxins and helping to reduce respiratory problems such as asthma. Areca palms also improve the mood of those who live in homes with dry air. A recent study from the University of Vermont concluded that people who have a plant in their home are less stressed and more energetic.
The Areca palm is easily split and replanted. Simply divide the root ball into several sections and replant the plants. The split root ball will yield a number of new plants. This plant also provides oxygen in the air and is great for allergy sufferers. The lower pollen levels and increased humidity within the home mean the allergens will fall to the floor and not be inhaled by those in the area.
The Areca palm produces more oxygen during the night. Most plants produce oxygen in the morning and carbon dioxide at night. The Areca palm, which is native to Madagascar, produces oxygen throughout the night. This means that it purifies the air in your bedroom while you sleep. And it’s also an excellent air purifier. It has several other benefits as well, so it is a great plant for your bedroom.
The Areca palm’s swaying fan-like leaves are appealing to the eye, adding a splash of color to any room. Additionally, it attracts positive energy and is considered lucky in Feng Shui. It is also believed to draw wealth, prosperity, and peace to its surrounding area. In a home, an Areca palm makes a great entrance plant and is ideal for entryways. Place two or three of them near the front door, balancing each other with similar-sized trees.
Ludwigia Repens
One of the best oxygenating plants is Ludwigia Repens, which is easy to grow in a pot. Its leaves have a reddish tint. It can be propagated from cuttings by planting them into a substrate. The best way to propagate Ludwigia Repens is to divide them from their established plants, as cuttings will not survive long if they are kept too close.
This aquatic plant is easy to propagate, as it can be easily spread and grows in many habitats. Moreover, it can grow fully submerged in water, although it doesn’t require it. It prefers water with a neutral pH level. It is best to reproduce its natural conditions since it is highly dependent on freshwater. The plant also needs more light to survive. Therefore, you will need to take good care of it in order to get the best results.
The leaves of Ludwigia Repens are large and thick, and they may become crowded. These plants are usually sold as red or dark red, though there are also scarlet-leaved varieties available. The leaves are spade-shaped, oppositely arranged, and are found on both sides of the plant. In the aquarium, these plants can develop red or green hues. These vibrant plants make excellent decorations for a terrarium.
If you want a plant that produces yellow flowers, consider adding this species to your water garden. Ludwigia Repens produces flowers in the spring and summer and eventually plops its seeds back into the water. In the wild, these flowers are carried by currents, but since your aquarium lacks currents, they won’t happen. Moreover, unless you want your water garden to have flowers, Ludwigia Repens is not a great choice for an indoor pond.
Although Ludwigia Repens grows up to 20 inches long, it can adapt to smaller tanks. This plant will thrive in a nano tank or a small plant-only aquarium. However, most aquascapers recommend a 10-gallon tank for this plant. They will grow faster and more attractively if they are kept in a tank with sufficient light. But remember that this plant may grow red and you won’t want it in a tank with a high pH value!
Spiked Water-Milfoil
One of the best oxygenating plants for your pond is spiked water milfoil. The feathery leaves of this plant are suited to slow-moving bodies of water like lakes and flooded gravel pits. The red blooms of this plant attract dragonflies and other aquatic life. Its emergent stems provide hiding places for these aquatic creatures, including their eggs.
When selecting plants for your pond, make sure you choose the species that suits the size of your pond the best. Spiked water-milfoil has long trailing stems with feathery foliage and small red flowers that float vertically above the water’s surface. It grows in a wide range of pond sizes and requires a minimum depth of 30cm. You can purchase weighted bunches of spiked water milfoil and drop them into the water. Make sure to remove overgrown plants, as they can be harmful to your fish.
Another benefit of spiked water milfoil is its ability to multiply quickly. It is more likely to reproduce by fragmentation than by seed, as it focuses so much energy on flower production. This compounded method of regeneration may be vital because it allows genes to roam wide and survive harsh conditions. Its ability to withstand heavy metals is another plus. You can even grow spiked water-milfoil in heavy metals.
Spiked water milfoils are hard to control, and can cause a lot of damage to your aquatic ecosystem. The dense mats it forms can make transportation, fishing, and recreation impossible. Because of its aggressive growth, you should consider limiting the spread of spiked water milfoil or building barriers to its growth. This species is also problematic because it can interfere with irrigation systems and increase flooding risks.
Hornwort
Hornwort is a plant that can thrive in a wide range of water temperatures. It can survive in tropical aquariums and cold water tanks without a heater. It can even survive in outdoor ponds. It grows well in a floating position because it has more access to the light and carbon dioxide from the air. If you’re unsure about the right location to place hornwort, use suction cups to pin its base to the bottom of the tank.
You can place hornwort on the surface or in a pot on the bottom of your tank. The leaves of the hornwort will provide shelter to fish. This plant will provide a source of oxygen and shelter for fish. While it may require additional care, hornwort is an excellent plant for a tank that lacks the space to accommodate other plants. Hornwort will increase the dissolved oxygen in your tank and is suitable for many aquarium environments.
The plant itself is a perennial that can grow up to ten feet tall. The stems of hornwort are made up of multiple leaves, which are evenly spaced. The leaves, also known as needles, are brown and about one-tenth inch long. The plant’s nut is about one-fifth of an inch long and contains three spines. Although hornwort has a wide range of uses, it is best suited to areas with moderate climates.
It grows in abundance, making it an ideal plant for an aquarium. However, it can also be a problem in the wild. In New Zealand, it outcompetes native plants and disrupts hydroelectric power generation. In addition, the hornwort produces chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants, leaving more space for it. Thus, hornwort can pose a threat to both native and non-native plants.
This plant’s roots are not true roots but are instead anchored to the substrate. It grows in groups of stems, which may reach up to the surface of the tank. In its natural habitat, it reaches a height of 10 feet. It produces needles in whorls of six to twelve. The leaves are smaller than an inch and may fork once. In contrast, the leaves of hornwort tend to fork at one end and have a rounded shape.