HeartlandHank
Well-Known Member
Could anyone recommend plants that do well in a small koi pond? Most likely in a net pot with some rocks.
Pond plants.
- Thread starter HeartlandHank
- Start date
dannyboy602
Well-Known Member
Papyrus I think
OldGrowth420
Well-Known Member
Water lilies, blue lotus flowers
Newly potted plants do not have well-developed root systems to hold the soil in the pot and to hold the plant in the soil. If koi have access to the soil, they will dig up the plant. Because koi are carp, rooting is part of their genetic heritage. A common practice is to put rocks on top of the soil when planting lilies. This will work if the rocks are larger than the largest koi's mouth, but it will not keep them from pushing the rocks out of the pot to expose the dirt.
To alleviate this issue, plant your waterlilies in a pot that is two or more times deeper than the soil. If you usually plant your lilies in 8 inches of soil, put the lily in a 16- to 20-inch-deep pot with your normal 8 inches of soil. This will force the koi to stand on its head to access the soil - not a pleasant experience for most fish. Don't forget the large rocks.
from http://www.rosepond.com/ArticleKoiPlants.htm
Newly potted plants do not have well-developed root systems to hold the soil in the pot and to hold the plant in the soil. If koi have access to the soil, they will dig up the plant. Because koi are carp, rooting is part of their genetic heritage. A common practice is to put rocks on top of the soil when planting lilies. This will work if the rocks are larger than the largest koi's mouth, but it will not keep them from pushing the rocks out of the pot to expose the dirt.
To alleviate this issue, plant your waterlilies in a pot that is two or more times deeper than the soil. If you usually plant your lilies in 8 inches of soil, put the lily in a 16- to 20-inch-deep pot with your normal 8 inches of soil. This will force the koi to stand on its head to access the soil - not a pleasant experience for most fish. Don't forget the large rocks.
from http://www.rosepond.com/ArticleKoiPlants.htm
OldGrowth420
Well-Known Member
Something else to consider
Toxic plants
Different parts of a plant could be toxic and kill koi. Leaves, stems or roots have varying chemical properties, and a leaf might not be toxic where a root is. Although plants might be toxic to humans or pets, they could be safe for fish. Hale began research in the early 2000s to write about toxic plants and fish. She heard stories but found it difficult to link fish deaths directly to what the fish ate. Hale tested the theory and grew questionable plants in her ponds. Her koi have eaten leaves of tomato and taro with no ill effect. She continues to compile a toxic plant list at: http://www.bonniesplants.com/how_to/poisonous_plants_to_fish.html.
from http://www.rosepond.com/ArticleKoiPlants.htm
Toxic plants
Different parts of a plant could be toxic and kill koi. Leaves, stems or roots have varying chemical properties, and a leaf might not be toxic where a root is. Although plants might be toxic to humans or pets, they could be safe for fish. Hale began research in the early 2000s to write about toxic plants and fish. She heard stories but found it difficult to link fish deaths directly to what the fish ate. Hale tested the theory and grew questionable plants in her ponds. Her koi have eaten leaves of tomato and taro with no ill effect. She continues to compile a toxic plant list at: http://www.bonniesplants.com/how_to/poisonous_plants_to_fish.html.
from http://www.rosepond.com/ArticleKoiPlants.htm