Floating Rings for Pond Plants

Floating Rings for Pond Plants

by Carol Lockey

The floating rings from MAN Island Planters offer many great benefits for ponds. With these floating rings, potted plants are able to float with just the bottom submersed so that the roots are in the water. This is great for nutrient control because the roots of the plants will absorb nitrates and phosphates from the water, making the pond healthier in general.

Another great benefit that comes with this setup is shade. Excess sunlight will cause unsightly algae in any pond. One way to cut back on algae is to shade the pond. Trees take years to get big enough for shade purposes, and once they are big enough, care must be taken to keep leaves out of the pond. The floating rings are an inexpensive, immediate fix to shade the pond.

These floating rings can also add to the aesthetic value of the pond: many marginal plants have beautiful little flowers that can add to the natural beauty of the pond. For those people who enjoy having large koi in their ponds, this is an excellent way to add plants that the fish will not uproot or eat.

The rings provide safety for pond fish in a few different ways as well. First of all, they provide shade on hot summer days. This is very important because when the temperature of the water rises, the oxygen content lowers. Without shade, the fish can essentially suffocate to death.

Another way these rings provide safety for the pond fish is shelter. In many ponds, the fish may not have sufficient places to hide from large birds, raccoons, or snakes. They are vulnerable, and can be caught and eaten. Adding a couple of islands of plants could be the difference between life and death for these fish.

There are two sizes of floating rings available in our store: the 9”, which fits the 6” pod pots; and the 5”, which fits the 4” pod pots. Come by the store today and find the floating ring that will work for your pond! For some ideas of beautiful plants that would do well in these floating rings, check out this article: