Plants that filter water have special abilities for removing contaminants from various aquatic reservoirs. Such plants are environmentally friendly because they basically improve the living conditions of aquatic animals.
This article will answer a lot of the questions that you might have. These could be about water filtering plants for ponds, water plants for ponds, as well as plants that filter water runoff, among other things.
Contents
An Extensive List of Plants That Filter Water
Plants that filter water include duckweed, water hyacinth, floating fern and water lettuce, just to mention a few. Among them are plants that filter water for fish and other aquatic animals. If you have ever wondered how to filter water using just plants, continue reading and discover the “super plants” that can perform that task very well.
1. Water Hyacinth
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This is an aquatic plant that is quite invasive, but it also has positive contributions to the environment as a water filter. Did you know that you cannot completely destroy the water hyacinth by chopping it off into pieces? Each of the pieces will still regrow, considering that fragmentation is one of the processes that are used to grow the plant.
Also, keep in mind that the water hyacinth has its native origins in South America and that the plant is a member of the Pontederiaceae family. Also, there are several flowers that are similar to Hyacinths you can add to your garden!
2. Water Lettuce
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This plant is one of the common aquatic plants that have a positive impact on the water in which they grow. Water lettuce is known by other names, such as Nile cabbage or water cabbage. One of the interesting characteristics of the water cabbage is that, even though it is a floating water plant, its leaves are water-repellant. Also, this plant produces flowers, though they are conspicuous.
3. Water Celery
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Apart from being counted among the pond plants, the water celery also grows on the edges of waterfalls and streams. The water celery pond plants are also classified among submerged plants. Based on the climate, the water celery can grow as a perennial that is short-lived or as an annual plant.
4. Water Lilies
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Water lilies are one of the perennial freshwater plants that belong to the Nymphaeaceae family. They exist in many varieties, which partly explains why their flowers exist in different colors.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the water lily is a symbol of resurrection and rebirth. This notion is derived from the fact that the flowers tend to fold in during the night and then reopen when the sun comes up. Many people prefer Lotus to water Lily but both of them can be used in a pond.
5. Fairy Moss
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The other names for the fairy moss are the mosquito fern, water velvet, water fern, and red water fern. This plant requires a lot of nutrients for it to grow, especially phosphorus.
These plants filter water by taking up heavy metals like chromium, zinc, nickel, arsenic, copper, lead, and zinc. Another amazing attribute of this plant is that it can fix nitrogen from the air, and it’s often used as a biofertilizer in paddy fields.
6. Duckweed
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This plant usually grows in pond water. One of the most fascinating facts about this plant is that some species lack stems and roots, all of which should be present in a true plant. This plant prefers to grow in still and quiet waters that are not affected by air currents. Therefore, it is one of the wetland plants that filter water.
7. Hornwort
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If you are wondering if submerged plants filter water, it’s a pleasure to let you know that they do, and hornwort is such a good example. This plant can grow in both saltwater and freshwater. The hornwort has its origins in North America.
This plant can gobble nitrates in the water in which it grows, so if you have any species of shrimps that are highly sensitive to these, you won’t need to worry anymore.
Conclusion
You have just moved a step ahead in being a pro when it comes to plants that filter water. To summarize it all, let’s go through the “must-know points once again:
- Hornwort, water lilies, duckweed, and fairy moss are some of the common plants that filter water.
- Some of the plants, like the hornwort, are submerged in water, while others, like the water hyacinth, tend to float on the surface.
- Some of the plants do not have true leaves, roots, and stems, so they do not qualify to be classified among true flowering plants.
- All the plants are affected by various pests, but the fairy moss is relatively pest free.
It is said that knowledge is power, so congratulations on allowing yourself to learn about plants that filter water. Now, allow the knowledge to work for you by using plants to filter your water systems!
References
- https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/habitat/invasive-plants/weed-alerts/water-hyacinth/#
- https://www.arc.agric.za/arc-ppri/Leaflets%20Library/Waterhyacinth.pdf
- https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=15&Potential=Y&Type=2&HUCNumber
- https://www.thespruce.com/water-lettuce-profile-5186151
- https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/celery/infos
- https://www.britannica.com/plant/water-lily
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/duckweed
- https://diy.sepro.com/about-duckweed
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267781098_Effects_of_Injury_by_a_Pyralid_Insect_Pest_on_Duckweed_Growth_and_Productivity_in_Minipond_Ecosystem
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