Plant Doctor Archive

Water Gardens — Submerged plants

Question WHAT are the best plants to submerge in my pond? I can grow most things but the submerged plants always seem to suffer.

Answer  SUBMERGED plants can be difficult to keep looking good, as goldfish tend to give them a hard time and destroy them as fast as you put them in. Firstly, ensure that your fish are fed daily with a good quality goldfish food. This will contain a high proportion of vege matter and reduce their desire to eat your plants.

Having said that, in my opinion the best plants to use are the hygrophilas. The best of these are H. polysperma, H. augustifolia, H. roseafolia and H. diformis. These will all grow well at a depth of up to 0.5m and will handle full sun or partial shade.

Weekend Gardener, Issue 94, 2002, Page 22