Oxygen production is important to the health of ponds, since low levels of oxygen production encourage algae growth and make it difficult for fish and other animals to survive. Submerged plants are sometimes referred to as oxygenators because they release much-needed oxygen into the water. Oxygenators such as waterweed (Elodea canadensis) and coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) should be placed with one plant for every 2 to 4 square feet of surface area to ensure proper pond oxygen levels.
Fill a bucket or other large container with water from your pond and place your plant in it while you prepare a planting container. This ensures that the plant's roots and leaves don't dry out and starts the process of acclimating the plant to your pond.
Prepare a mix of soil and gravel to plant your pond plants in, using either equal parts or slightly more gravel than soil. Unlike garden plants, you don't need nutrient-rich soil for plants that grow fully submerged; the mixture will only serve as an anchor, since he plant will take in nutrients from the water around it.
Fill a mesh planting basket designed for use underwater or shallow plastic tray approximately two-thirds full with your soil and gravel mix. Dampen the mixture if desired to help prevent air pockets or other empty space within the soil.
Remove your plant from the pond water and place the plant in your prepared basket or container. Work the roots into the soil and gravel mixture, making sure that you don't break or otherwise damage them. Carefully add more gravel to the basket, covering the soil mixture and the roots to aid soil retention and better secure the roots.
Submerge the plant and basket in your pond as soon as possible, placing the container in the pond by hand or using twine or undyed cord to lower the plant into place. If placing the plants by hand you may wish to dig out a hole or other space in the pond floor for the container, though this isn't required.
Things You Will Need
- Bucket or other large container
- Mesh planting basket or shallow container
- Twine or undyed cord (optional)
- Submerged plants purchased from a nursery or store that specializes in aquatic features often come in pots that can be placed directly in your pond without the need to repot.
- If you do not have underwater planting baskets or other containers, you can secure your submerged plants by placing them on the bottom of the pond and covering the roots with gravel, or by using metal plant anchors designed to wrap around submerged plants.
- Some fish will forage underwater plants, potentially damaging or killing the plants. Consider using plant cages to surround your plants if you notice that fish in your pond are eating the leaves.
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