Fertilizing Aquatic Plants

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Rich Binsacca

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Many aquatic plants spread new foliage from the moment that they are given a home in your water feature. They receive most of their nutrients from the water itself, recycling decayed plant matter and helping to clean the water of excess nutrients. When their growth slows or leaves turn yellow, it may be time to fertilize.

In a natural environment, the plants growing within the water receive nutrients from the natural decomposition of plant and animal life around them. In a typical water garden, marginal and deep-water submersible plants may require supplements of fertilizer or food until their ecosystem becomes balanced. Fertilizing aquatic plants requires precision both in choice of the fertilizer and its application. You’ll want to avoid adding too many nutrient chemicals to the water itself, which may cause harm to plants that need few added nutrients, as well as to fish and other wildlife. Fertilizers may promote algae blooms and overstimulate plants that are best fed by natural processes.

There are four times to consider fertilizing your aquatic plants:

At planting.
In the early part of the growing season to help aquatic plants emerge from dormancy.
When plants are repotted after division or thinning.
When a specific plant shows signs of distress.

Each aquatic plant species has specific nutrient needs. Follow the plant label or ask the aquatic specialist at your local garden center or water garden nursery for help with the specific plants you’ve purchased. Whatever you do, avoid using the same nutrients and application methods recommended for your inground plants – their needs are much different than the plants growing in your garden pond.

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Slow-release aquatic plants fertilizer spikes are formulated with slow-dissolving synthetic chemical fertilizers appropriate for aquatic plants in home water gardens.

When fertilizing plants in your water garden, use slow-release fertilizer tablets designed especially for aquatics. These tablets contain appropriate levels of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and other nutrients that water plants require. Check the package’s instructions for the amount to apply for your specific plant’s needs. Embed the fertilizer tablets in the soil under the topdressing of gravel, where they’ll dissolve slowly over time and remain, for the most part, within each plant’s container. In addition, some nutrients can be spray-applied to the exposed leaves for immediate absorption, also in proper dilution and dosage per label instructions.

You’ll know if an individual plant is in need of fertilizer: It will become stunted, stop growing, or display discolored or limp foliage. Remove the troubled plant and its container from the water feature and care for the plant individually. Inspect for signs of pests and diseases before fertilizing and returning the plant to the water.

Warnings

Always use caution when removing or setting plants within a water feature. If you’re stepping inside your pond, be careful and wear waders or soft-soled shoes, and cushion the edges of the risers holding the planting containers, always seeking to prevent damage to the liner.

Facts

Fertilizers used in water features are encapsulated with coatings (such as clay) that greatly slow the rate at which they dissolve. Avoid using regular fertilizers in a water feature.

Tips

Water in a pond or pool emerging from a long winter may be stagnant; plan to clean the entire feature, remove a third of its water and replace it. Before existing plants begin to emerge, vacuum the liner with a pool vacuum and remove and wash stones using a pressure washer. Check the water chemistry and balance it if needed. These steps will put your water feature in good condition to begin the new season.
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