Koi Pond Plants

It is true that Japanese koi eat plants. When the water temperature is above 70° F koi have an enormous appetite. Since koi do not have a stomach they don't eat very much at one time. They are naturally bottom feeders and constantly sift through the bottom rubble for food. Having a gravel bottom will give them a natural place to forage instead of destroying the plants.

When planting lilies take them out of the pot and rinse the roots. Plant them directly in the gravel and make sure the roots are well covered. Put fertilizer pellets in the gravel to give them a good start. The roots will spread under the gravel wider than the canopy and will add to the biological filter. They will bloom more without ever having to fertilize again.

Watercress is, in my opinion, the best plant for a koi pond for two reasons. It makes a natural plant food for the koi. This plant really starts growing when the appetite of koi kicks into high gear, easily keeping pace. It also has a dense root mat that does an excellent job of filtering the water. Plant in a shallow high current flow area to one side to keep to koi from destroying it before it gets started in the spring. In the fall after the first frost cut back to a small area.

Floating water hyacinth can result in the koi eating the roots. I usually plant in the shallow stream just below the waterfall. Their roots bury deep in the gravel to provide excellent filtration. They tend to grow taller and bloom less. Mine have grown 3 foot tall and extend 12 feet down the stream and seem to benefit from the splashing of the waterfall. This is another plant that will have to be pulled in the fall. Pickerel Rush is another plant that enjoys the splashing from a waterfall. I use them to hide the liner below the waterfall and they have bloomed constantly all season.

Marsh Betony has narrow rough edged leaves with small pink to purple orchid like flowers. They can be invasive and should be planted in a low current semi-contained area to naturalize. Water mint is another plant that can become invasive. Both of these plants are very hardy and do well in sun or shade blooming all summer long.

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