{"title":"Oxygenating Pond Plants","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"collection-seo-content\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eOxygenating Pond Plants for Healthier Water\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eOxygenating plants grow submerged beneath the water surface, releasing dissolved oxygen directly into the water column through photosynthesis while absorbing carbon dioxide and excess nutrients. Play It Koi carries a selection of oxygenating pond plants including hornwort, anacharis (Elodea), vallisneria, and cabomba that improve water quality naturally. These underwater workhorses are among the most functional plants you can add to a koi pond or water garden — they compete directly with algae for nutrients, provide shelter for fish fry, and contribute to a balanced aquatic ecosystem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eHow Oxygenating Plants Improve Water Quality\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eSubmerged plants absorb nitrates, phosphates, and other dissolved nutrients through their leaves and stems, starving algae of the resources it needs to bloom. During daylight hours, they produce dissolved oxygen through photosynthesis, boosting oxygen levels especially in the critical zone near the pond bottom. The dense foliage of oxygenating plants also provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize, creating a distributed biological filter throughout the pond. This natural approach to water quality management works beautifully alongside mechanical filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eChoosing Oxygenating Plants for Koi Ponds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eHornwort is the most popular oxygenating plant for koi ponds because it is free-floating, grows quickly, and koi find it less palatable than other species. Anacharis is another excellent option that can be weighted or planted in gravel. Vallisneria produces attractive grass-like foliage but may need protection from digging koi. In heavily stocked koi ponds, plan on planting generously — koi will graze on submerged plants, so providing abundant growth ensures the plants can keep pace with consumption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eOxygenating Plants and Algae Balance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eOxygenating plants are a natural complement to other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pond-algae-control\"\u003ealgae control\u003c\/a\u003e methods. Pair them with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/floating-pond-plants\"\u003efloating plants\u003c\/a\u003e that shade the surface and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/beneficial-bacteria\"\u003ebeneficial bacteria\u003c\/a\u003e that process organic waste. For complete water quality management, supplement natural filtration with regular \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pond-water-treatments-testing\"\u003ewater testing and treatments\u003c\/a\u003e. Browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pond-plants\"\u003epond plants\u003c\/a\u003e collection for a complete selection of aquatic plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003ePlay It Koi offers free shipping on orders over $99. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eContact our team\u003c\/a\u003e for oxygenating plant selection and planting advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eRelated Categories\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pond-plants\"\u003ePond Plants\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/floating-pond-plants\"\u003eFloating Pond Plants\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pond-algae-control\"\u003eAlgae Control\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/beneficial-bacteria\"\u003eBeneficial Bacteria\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pond-water-treatments-testing\"\u003eWater Treatments \u0026amp; Testing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hornwort-ceratophyllum-demersum","title":"Ceratophyllum Demersum - Hornwort (Coontail)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"Item ID\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Item ID\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"Item ID\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #57a508;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePIK's #4 Most Popular Pond Plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHornwort \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCeratophyllum demersum),\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ealso known as Coontail, \u003c\/span\u003eis a fast-growing, aquatic Oxygenating plant that can be submerged or grown in small containers. In addition to its oxygenating benefits, It also emits a hormone to help eliminate algae and clarify water, which makes it ideal for ponds. While most seedlings grow like anacharis, hornworts have longer leaves. They are packed tightly in whorls at the growing ends of the stem and form plumes when grown underwater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCare level: very easy. \u003cspan\u003eIt can adapt to almost any water \u003c\/span\u003etype,\u003cspan\u003e and can tolerate a wide extreme of temperatures.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrows well in Full Sun to Full shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery easy to grow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be tucked into the substrate on the bottom of the pond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat for spawning or as cover\/protection for small fish and fry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne of the best plants to oxygenate ponds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasily one of the most popular pond and aquarium plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardiness Zones: Z5 - Z11\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause of its fast-growing nature, many people use this plant to soak up nitrates in breeding tanks or provide safe hiding places for fry in community fish tanks. When hornwort is allowed to float at the top of a fish tank, it provides a perfect refuge for tiny fry from hungry adult fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice is per cup, unbanded. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping Expectations:\u003c\/strong\u003e We cannot ship to Puerto Rico. We've found the best success in shipping these when we send them earlier in the week to avoid lengthier shipping times caused by carriers' weekend breaks. \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWant More Popular Pond Plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHere are our Top 5 sellers from the last 5 years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e#1 Top Seller: \u003c\/span\u003eWater Hyacinth\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e#2 Top Seller: \u003c\/span\u003eWater Lettuce\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e#3 Top seller: \u003c\/span\u003eFrogBit\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e#4 Top Seller: \u003c\/span\u003eHornwort\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e#5 Top Seller: It's a 3-way tie between our \u003c\/span\u003eHardy Water Lily Pack\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003eWater Poppy\u003cspan\u003e, \u0026amp; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fairy Moss Azolla Caroliniana\" href=\"https:\/\/playitkoi.com\/products\/fairy-moss-azolla-caroliniana\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/playitkoi.com\/products\/fairy-moss-azolla-caroliniana\"\u003eFairy Moss\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Play It Koi - Pond Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":12263461584930,"sku":"2315","price":5.22,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1287\/3545\/products\/ceratophyllum-demersum-hornwort-coontail-play-it-koi-1.jpg?v=1705162434"},{"product_id":"vallisneria-americana-corkscrew-vallisneria-bare-root","title":"Vallisneria Americana - Corkscrew Vallisneria (Bare Root)","description":"\u003cp\u003eNarrow, light green ribbon leaves spiral upward 12-18\" from the soil. Prettier and more delicate than jungle Vallisneria. \u003cspan\u003eVallisneria americana, also called Corkscrew Val, is a wide blade, grass-like plant, in which the leaves will twist, giving them the appearance of a corkscrew. Corkscrew Val is grass green in color and can grow rapidly or slowly depending on nutrient levels in the water and lighting conditions as well as CO2 supplementation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Play It Koi - Pond Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":28523538677794,"sku":"2330","price":5.47,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1287\/3545\/products\/vallisneria-americana-corkscrew-vallisneria-bare-root-play-it-koi.jpg?v=1705162897"},{"product_id":"vallisneria-gigantea-giant-vallisneria-bare-root","title":"Vallisneria Gigantea - Giant Vallisneria (Bare Root)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVallisneria gigantea \u003c\/em\u003eblooms all year and occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in wetlands. Long, flattened, ribbon-like leaves arising from a cluster at the base of the plant are minutely serrate with bluntly rounded tips. Leaves grow to 5 feet in length and approximately 0.4 inches in width. A light green stripe runs down the center of the finely-veined leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVallisneria gigantea\u003c\/em\u003e grows in ponds, lakes and quiet streams at depths of 3-13 feet. \u003cem\u003eVallisneria gigantea\u003c\/em\u003e likes quiet waters such as lakes and slow flowing streams, fresh to brackish waters of streams, lakes, rivers and bays from sea level to 1,640 feet. It is a native submerged plant that forms long ribbon like leaves growing up from the bottom of a pond or dam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eVallisneria gigantea\u003c\/em\u003e is a genus of freshwater with long leaved grass-like aquatic plant. This plant will get rather large and will form a dense cover at the water surface which will aid in the control of free floating algae (green water).\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Play It Koi - Pond Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":28523549392930,"sku":"2333","price":9.94,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1287\/3545\/products\/vallisneria-gigantea-giant-vallisneria-bare-root-play-it-koi.jpg?v=1705162897"},{"product_id":"sagittaria-subulata-dwarf-sag-arrowhead-bare-root","title":"Sagittaria subulata - dwarf sag- Arrowhead (bare root)","description":"\u003cp\u003eLooking for a plant that won't dwarf your pond but still packs a punch? Say hello to Sagittaria subulata, a.k.a. Dwarf Sag! Don't let its narrow leaves fool you - this little guy is an oxygenating powerhouse that every pond owner needs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 6 to 12 inches tall, Dwarf Sag looks like the aquatic version of a green-haired punk rocker. And just like a punk rocker, it likes to multiply rapidly and populate any soil it can get its roots into. Plus, it's got some seriously cool small white blossoms that bloom above the water if you plant it in the shallows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot only does Dwarf Sag provide a natural and attractive grass-like decoration to your pond, but it also sucks up excess nutrients, beats out algae, and clarifies and oxygenates the water. It's basically a one-stop-shop for all your pond-cleaning needs. Some gardeners even use pea gravel and plant hundreds of Dwarf Sagittaria for a DIY natural filter - that's like a mullet for your pond, business in the back and party in the front!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut wait, there's more! Dwarf Sagittaria also works wonders in aquariums. It's a great foreground plant in large tanks, or a mid-ground option in smaller ones. And if you've got baby koi fry, Dwarf Sag provides excellent hiding spots and protection - it's like a daycare center for your fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSold per cup, Dwarf Sag is the ultimate pond and aquarium wingman. So get ready to impress your fish and your friends with this versatile and totally awesome plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Play It Koi - Pond Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31875426811974,"sku":"2323","price":4.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1287\/3545\/files\/dwarf_sag_image_302x305_c76a1454-c10d-4637-b30c-004fd8cdd8b9.png?v=1731159973"}],"url":"https:\/\/playitkoi.com\/collections\/oxygenating-pond-plants.oembed","provider":"Play It Koi","version":"1.0","type":"link"}