Surface Varieties

Text Box: Floating plants do not require soil and they can be placed directly in the pond. They do require warm water at least 70 degree temperatures both day and night, in order for them to survive and flourish. Keep in mind that the water temperatures may drop at least 10 to 20 degrees at night during the early spring, this can affect these plants, since most of them are tropical. They are great for people that just want plants that don’t have to tended to very much, and once these plants are established, they help to keep the water clear and they provide shade. These plants feed off the same nutrients as the algae so what they do is starve the algae out. If the algae problem is very bad and you introduce these plants at that time be aware it will take time for them to help make the situation better. Most fish love to eat the smaller floating plants like duckweed. The roots of water hyacinth and water lettuce are good for small fry they like to hide in the roots. The larger fish also like to hide and spawn in the roots. If you purchase these plants by mail, be sure to gradually introduce them back into the sunlight protect them with wet newspaper or any form of shade for a day or so. Sometimes the roots of these plants will drop during shipment, this is due to stress when shipping, however they should grow back in a short time. Be aware that these plants multiply very rapidly once they are established, and in some states some of these plants are not allowed they are considered noxious weeds. We do our best not to send any plant not allowed to your state, however the responsibility to know what is allowed is the customers. Many people ask what to do with these plants in the winter, it is very difficult to winter them over, we suggest treating them as an annuals. They make great mulch in the garden.