The Best Aquatic Plants For Your Oklahoma Koi Pond

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Water hyacinth is a popular choice for floating plants due to its vibrant green foliage and delicate lavender flowers. It provides excellent shade, helping to keep the pond cool during Oklahoma’s scorching summers. Additionally, its roots absorb excess nutrients, reducing the risk of algae blooms.

• • • • • Care Tip: Water hyacinths thrive in full sun but require periodic thinning to prevent overcrowding.

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

With its rosette-shaped leaves, water lettuce adds a unique texture to the pond’s surface. It’s an excellent option for reducing algae by blocking sunlight and absorbing excess nutrients. Its roots also provide hiding spots for young koi.

• • • • • Care Tip: Water lettuce prefers calm water and warm temperatures, making it ideal for Oklahoma summers.

Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Duckweed is a tiny floating plant that grows rapidly and provides excellent surface coverage. It shades the water, helps control algae, and absorbs excess nutrients, keeping your pond balanced. Its small leaves create a natural aesthetic for koi ponds.

• • • • Care Tip: Duckweed can grow quickly, so monitor its spread to prevent it from covering the entire pond surface.

Azolla (Mosquito Fern) (Azolla caroliniana)

Azolla is a small, fern-like floating plant that forms dense mats on the pond's surface. It provides shade, reduces water evaporation, and is an excellent nutrient absorber, helping to keep your pond water clear.

• • • • Care Tip: Azolla thrives in warm, sunny conditions and requires occasional thinning to prevent overgrowth.

Floating Fern (Salvinia minima)

Floating fern is a hardy, fast-growing plant that adds a unique texture to your pond. Its dense growth shades the water, helping to prevent algae and maintain a stable temperature.

• • • • Care Tip: Salvinia prefers calm water and warm conditions, making it a great choice for Oklahoma summers.

Best Submerged Pond Plants for Oklahoma Koi Ponds

American Pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus)

American pondweed is a hardy submerged plant that thrives in Oklahoma’s climate. It oxygenates the water, improves filtration, and offers shelter for koi. Its long, ribbon-like leaves create an attractive underwater environment.

• • • • • Care Tip: Plant American pondweed in areas with moderate water movement to prevent algae buildup.

Water Willow (Justicia americana)

Water willow is a versatile submerged plant that doubles as a marginal option. Its dense roots stabilize pond edges, while its submerged portions oxygenate the water and provide habitat for aquatic life.

• • • • Care Tip: This plant thrives in shallow areas with plenty of sunlight.

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Hornwort is an excellent oxygenator that grows quickly and provides a dense habitat for koi and other aquatic life. It’s a hardy plant that thrives in a variety of water conditions, making it ideal for Oklahoma ponds.

• • • • Care Tip: Anchor hornwort with weights or let it float freely, depending on your pond’s design.

Anacharis (Elodea canadensis)

Anacharis is a favorite submerged plant for improving water quality and oxygenating ponds. Its lush green stems create a natural look and help keep water clear by absorbing excess nutrients.

• • • • Care Tip: Plant anacharis in small clusters for the best results, and trim back as needed to prevent overgrowth.

Coontail (Ceratophyllum echinatum)

Coontail is a low-maintenance submerged plant that acts as a natural water filter. Its feathery leaves provide excellent cover for koi and other aquatic species.

• • • • Care Tip: Coontail can grow quickly, so monitor its spread to ensure it doesn’t overcrowd your pond.

Best Marginal Pond Plants for Oklahoma Koi Ponds

Water Lilies (Nymphaea odorata and Nymphaea mexicana)

Water lilies are iconic pond plants known for their stunning blooms and ability to provide shade. The shade reduces water temperature and limits algae growth, making them a practical and beautiful choice for Oklahoma koi ponds.

• • • • Care Tip: Plant water lilies in deeper areas of the pond to protect them from grazing koi.

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

With its striking purple flowers, pickerelweed is a favorite marginal plant that adds height and texture to pond edges. It filters excess nutrients and thrives in a variety of water conditions.

• • • • Care Tip: Trim dead foliage regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Iris (Iris pseudacorus and Iris versicolor)

Iris plants add vibrant pops of color to your pond with their tall, elegant blooms. They are excellent for filtering runoff and stabilizing pond edges, making them a valuable addition to any Oklahoma koi pond.

• • • • Care Tip: Plant iris in areas with partial to full sun and consistently moist soil.

Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)

Arrowhead plants, with their arrow-shaped leaves and delicate white flowers, are both functional and decorative. They help stabilize pond edges and absorb nutrients that can lead to algae growth.

• • • • Care Tip: Arrowhead thrives in shallow water and full sunlight.

Canna (Canna indica)

Cannas are bold plants with large, colorful blooms that bring a tropical feel to your pond. They thrive in wet soil and are highly tolerant of Oklahoma’s heat.

• • • • Care Tip: Plant cannas along the pond’s edge and ensure they receive plenty of sunlight.

Spike Rush (Eleocharis spp.)

Spike rush adds a soft, grassy texture to the pond’s edges while preventing erosion. Its dense growth also provides shelter for koi and other aquatic life.

• • • • Care Tip: Spike rush is highly adaptable and thrives in various water conditions.