Your waterbody isn’t just water—it’s a living ecosystem with fish, wildlife, beneficial bacteria, and trillions of microorganisms. But without native pond plants in the mix, things can quickly fall out of balance.
A healthy lake or pond should contain a wide variety of native pond plants, including submersed, floating, and emergent species. A diverse plant community not only adds beauty to your waterbody but also provides an array of benefits for your ecosystem.
Native pond plants:
- Act as a food source for aquatic animals
- Provide fish and wildlife habitat
- Help improve water quality
- Stabilize the shoreline and waterbody bottom
- Improve aesthetics
Explore the full benefits of incorporating native pond plants into your lake or pond.
1. Native pond plants act as a food source for aquatic animals
Forage fish species and aquatic invertebrates consume plant material, providing a crucial link in the food web. Many waterfowl also consume the seeds or tubers produced by native pond plants.
2. Provide fish and wildlife habitat
Fish use native pond plants in several ways to benefit their productivity. Some fish species utilize vegetative material for nesting sites. Waterfowl also use aquatic plants for cover and nesting. Many juvenile fish hide in the cover of native pond plants to avoid predators, while certain ambush predators actually require aquatic plant beds for successful prey capture.
3. Help improve water quality with native pond plants
Native pond plants, particularly emergent shoreline vegetation, play a vital role in filtering and absorbing nutrients before they can fuel the growth of nuisance algae or harmful cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). These nutrients often come from runoff that carries lawn fertilizers, grass clippings, pet waste, and other organic materials into the water when it rains.
4. Native pond plants help stabilize the shoreline
Emergent plants develop complex root systems that help hold soil in place along the shoreline. Floating native pond plants help soften wave action that would otherwise lead to shoreline deterioration. The root systems of submersed plants help hold sediment in place at the bottom, preventing turbidity (cloudiness) and the re-suspension of nutrients in the water column.
5. Improve aesthetics with native pond plants
A diverse community of emergent, submersed, and floating aquatic plants, especially those with colorful flowers, adds to the overall beauty of your pond. These plants also attract butterflies, mosquito-eating dragonflies, and native birds that provide wonderful nature-watching opportunities.
Choosing native pond plants
So, which native pond plants are right for your aquatic ecosystem? Much of this will depend on the region in which you are located. However, species such as Pickerelweed, Cardinal Flower, Black-Eyed Susan, and Bulrush are excellent choices in many areas. Click here to discover the best plants for your region.
It’s important to note that even plants native to the U.S. can become problematic when introduced to regions outside their natural range. Dense stands of emergent plants may crowd out more desirable littoral vegetation, while floating plants can blanket the water’s surface, interfering with boating, fishing, and floating fountains or aerators. Submersed plants may entangle swimmers or clog subsurface aeration and stormwater equipment.
Selecting the right plant species is essential for maintaining a balanced and functional aquatic ecosystem. An experienced Aquatic Expert can help develop a customized plan tailored to your waterbody’s specific needs, ensuring the selected plants support both your aesthetic and functional goals.
