Surface Cover Pond Plants

Why is surface cover important in a pond?

Surface cover plays an important role in a balanced garden pond. Floating leaves from waterlilies, deep water plants and floating plants help shade the water, reducing the amount of direct sunlight that reaches below the surface. This can help limit algae growth, keep the water cooler in warm weather and give pond life shelter from bright light, heat and predators.

A good mix of surface cover plants also helps a pond feel more established and natural, with foliage and flowers across the water rather than all the planting sitting at the edge. For most planted ponds, the aim is not to cover the whole surface, but to create a healthy balance of open water, submerged planting, marginal plants and floating-leaved cover.

For more detail, read our guide: How Much of Your Pond Should Be Covered in Plants?